Watershed Programs Specialist

Columbus Water Works•Columbus, GA

About The Position

EXECUTE THE DAILY FUNCTIONS OF THE COLUMBUS WATER WORKS (CWW) WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAMS. THIS ENCOMPASSES ALL REGULATORY COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT AND THE CLEAN WATER ACT, AS AMENDED. THESE INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CWW’S WATERSHED PROGRAM, SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM AND TMDL PROGRAMS FOR THE COLUMBUS WATER WORKS. THESE INCLUDE SITE INSPECTIONS, MEETINGS, MONITORING, CORRESPONDENCES, AND REGULATORY PLANNING FOR THESE PROGRAMS.

Requirements

municipal and/or industrial environmental management
capabilities to read and interpret blueprints and architectural drawings, with expert knowledge of hydraulics and piping systems
communicate verbally in a clear, concise manner and is able to prepare written reports
plan work and manage multiple projects as designated by the Manager of Environmental Services
effectively use a personal computer and various programs
no physical limitations
Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Environmental Sciences/Environmental Engineering or any discipline that is chemistry or biology based. As an alternative, experience can be considered.
obtain within one year of employment, a Water and/or Wastewater Analysts certification
Ability to read, analyze and interpret common and complex scientific and technical documents such as procedure manuals, operating and maintenance instructions, financial reports, and legal documents
ability to write detailed reports and correspondence
must have outstanding communication skills and the ability to describe complex technical concepts
ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written, with members of the Board, managers, employees, and the general public
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical interference, and fundamentals on plane and solid geometry, trigonometry and calculus
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations as well as theoretical
Ability to define problem, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
ability to make recommendations for the solution of practical problems based on facts
Must possess a valid drivers' license and good driving record
Water and/or Wastewater Analyst certification within one year of employment
Ability to operate general office equipment, to include copy machine, fax machine, typewriter, calculator, and computer
Working experience and knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Word, and database systems
Ability to establish and manage multiple projects and set priorities
Good knowledge of general office operations
Must be able to walk in creeks and along unstable and uneven environments
specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Responsibilities

overall oversight and maintenance of CWW’s current Watershed Protection Program, and any amendments, and all required reporting for compliance with that program
overall oversight and maintenance of CWW’s Source Water Protection Program and all required reporting for compliance with that program
supporting Columbus Water Works in reviewing and reporting on all activities in association with the ACF System
give progress reports and discuss difficult compliance issues
supporting the CWW Creek Walkers Program
preparation for renewal or re-issuance of all CWW’s permits
perform other duties as assigned
sampling and data reporting for the Cooperative Water-Quality Monitoring (River Runs) contract between Columbus Water Works and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
sampling, data analysis, reporting, presentations, and modeling for the Watershed Protection Program
resource acquisition, planning, program development data analysis, reporting, presentations, and modeling for the Source Water Protection Program
stream sample collection for chemical analysis
Supports in the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Biological Assessments.
habitat assessment and records field observations during stream sampling
enter laboratory data into database (e.g., habitat, macroinvertebrate and chemical analysis of stream samples)
conducting the Fecal/E. Coli Monitoring Program
investigating customer inquiries regarding water quality issues within the watershed
assists Environmental Compliance staff with water quality issues and SSO investigations and reports to EPD. Will be on call.
prepare reports based off the data analyses for submission to Mgr. of Env. Services and other management staff.
maintains current knowledge of trends for environmental and regulatory developments for the lab and Watershed Protection.
Develops and maintains working relationships with surrounding utilities and environmental groups such as the Riverwarden
Assist as liaison with schools, Oxbow Meadows ELC, and other environmental groups. Provides talks and presentations on water quality, and other environmental issues for CWW.