Surface Water Management- Water Quality Specialist

Basic Function

Reporting to the Water Quality Supervisor, within the Environmental Services Division, this position will serve as a water pollution prevention enforcement official, in support of Water Quality team's Illicit Discharge Detection Elimination (IDDE) program, Source Control program, and Pollution Prevention Assistance program (PPA). The Water Quality team consists of three Water Quality Specialists and the Water Quality Program Supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform Source Control and PPA site visits to meet our National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and grant contract requirements.

• Respond to and investigate illicit discharges and connections.

• Record enforcement actions in a database and track water quality enforcement results.

• Tactfully interact with residents and businesses to resolve water quality violations, and maintain follow-up documentation as an enforcement official.

• Assist in the development of source control, monitoring, and surface water assessments to protect and improve area streams, lakes, and wetlands.

• Assist Maintenance Facilities in the development and implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), perform inspections, and update Plans as needed.

• Coordinate annual internal City IDDE awareness and SWPPP training.

• Report on and track the City's IDDE, Source Control, and PPA programs to ensure requirements are met in a timely manner.

• Facilitate the quarterly North and Steel Lake Management District meetings and perform related administrative tasks.

• Update and report on the Lake Management Districts annual report, work plan, expenditures, and lake water quality data.

• Provide presentations to City leadership and interested groups in the community as needed.

• Analyze, interpret, and process water quality monitoring data.

• Assist in water quality monitoring, including set-up and operation of water quality monitoring equipment, and data collection and analysis.

• Assist in the development of City's water quality monitoring program QAPP.

• Assist in stormwater outreach events, such as Storming the Sound with Salmon.

• Prepare detailed written reports and oral reports.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

A Bachelor's of Science Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Science, Natural Resource Management or related field and at least two years of experience with environmental permit requirements and/or water quality monitoring to support permit related activities. Equivalent combination of education and/or related experience may be substituted. Prior municipal stormwater work experience preferred.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

Valid Washington State Driver's license.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• General understanding of surface water/stormwater and impacts of specific pollutants.

• Field monitoring practices, including use of sondes, probes, and software.

• State, Federal and City regulations related to surface water protection.

• Western Washington National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II permit requirements, and the Clean Water Act.

• Generalwater quality, ecological restoration, salmon recovery, and watershed management and restoration.

• GIS mapping and software.

• Record keeping techniques and attention to detail necessary to perform this position.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, to diverse audiences.

• Establish cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, citizens, business representatives, elected officials, and representatives of other Municipal, County, State and Federal agencies.

• Work on multiple tasks effectively and keep projects on schedule.

• Understand issues and be flexible as conditions change.

• Interpret and describe government regulations.

• Prepare reports and maintain accurate and detailed records.

• Work independently and work with diverse groups.

• Interpret and follow stormwater system drainage maps.

• Prepare technical and formal reports.

• Operate a motor vehicle, small boat, and maneuver a boat trailer. Observe legal and defensive driving practices, and follow all safety procedures.

• Physically perform essential job functions.

• Use GIS to review as-built plans and identify City infrastructure and locations.

• Learn and use water quality-related software to support monitoring efforts.

• Use Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access.

Environmental Conditions/Physical Effort:

Work is performed in both an office and field environment. Field work may involve inclement weather, walking through uneven or rough terrain and stream beds, and operating a boat. Employee must be able to lift and carry up to 35 pounds of field gear or other equipment as needed through various terrains, sometimes during inclement weather conditions. Must be able to lift storm drain covers to access and monitor conditions. Must be able to hike and wade through creeks with a full backpack. Employee may be exposed to traffic hazards and may be required to enter confined spaces.