Water Quality Specialist

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Water Quality Specialist is responsible for inspecting and reviewing third-party inspection reports for Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) devices within Guilford County and working with property owners to ensure compliance with all watershed regulations. Primary job duties also include assisting in the implementation of Guilford County’s programs for water-supply watershed protection, stormwater management, stream buffer protection, and flood damage prevention as well as administering public education and outreach initiatives for these programs.  This position works under the supervision of the Stormwater Program Administrator. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

This position is responsible for conducting field inspections and managing this process for all SCMs in the County’s unincorporated territory as well as Pleasant Garden, Sedalia, Stokesdale, and Whitsett. This position will also implement enforcement procedures for non-compliant SCMs and will assist with floodplain, stream buffer, and watershed investigations necessary for compliance with local ordinances, and State regulations. Additionally, this position will be responsible for establishing a robust public education and outreach program encompassing stormwater, watershed, and floodplain topics and regulations. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts initial and annual inspections and manages inspection process for all Stormwater Control Measures (SCM) devices within unincorporated Guilford County and local jurisdictions via interlocal agreement.
• Creates and compiles inspection reports and works with property owners on maintenance and repair issues.
• Assists with SCM pre-construction and final close-out inspections.
• Assists with investigations and enforcement actions necessary for compliance with watershed, stormwater, stream buffer and floodplain regulations.
• Conducts trend analysis and designated outreach of major issues identified during SCM and final 705 Watershed inspections.
• Provides owner/developer training to reduce recurring incidents that require re-inspections.
• Establishes and implements a robust citizen education and outreach program that includes stormwater, watershed, and floodplain regulations.  This program will include both in-person and social media education strategies.
• Provides and presents educational messages for schools, fairs, festivals, and community events.
• Establishes and maintains a social media/web presence for stormwater, watershed, stream buffer and floodplain education. 
• Organizes and scans documents to create electronic files for documentation for all Watershed Section projects.
• Assists Stormwater Program Administrator and Watershed/Stormwater Engineer with other tasks as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state and local rules and regulations pertaining to stormwater management and watershed protection, stormwater conveyance systems, riparian buffers, flood damage prevention, and illicit discharges, including the Jordan Lake Rules & Randleman Lake Rules.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations for application to various scenarios.
• Ability to read and interpret topographic maps, grading and drainage plans, stormwater management plans, SCM plans, storm drainage plans and other site development plans and construction documents.
• Use of office equipment such as computer, iPad, iPhone, calculator, printer, scanner, copier.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, BlueBeam, ArcMap, Laserfiche, & online GIS services. 
• Ability to communicate and present scientific information to various audiences.
• Ability to communicate and work with all age groups and diverse populations.
• Ability to effectively communicate messages over social media.
• Ability to work with the public, contractors, and other government entities to complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Environmental Education or related field from an accredited college or university

• Associate’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Environmental Education or related field from an accredited college or university and two years of experience
• Valid Driver's License without restrictions that would limit the full performance of the essential duties
• Stormwater (SCM) Inspection & Maintenance Certification or ability to attain certification within 6 months of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.  Work also requires the ability to move about over uneven terrain such as that in construction and hard hat areas.

Must have visual acuity to perform tasks requiring color, depth perception and field of vision sufficient to perform tasks associated with the preparation and analysis of figures and data, operations of a computer, operation of a motor vehicle and inspection of soil erosion and watershed control devices.

Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed both inside and outside environmental conditions.  The employee may be exposed to temperatures lower than 32 degrees and/or higher than 100 degrees.  Routine safety precautions are provided such as hard hats, ear plugs and shelter from inclement weather.

Special Note

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements.   However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detail information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.

Guilford County does not discriminate on basis of sex, pregnancy, race, color, religion, nation of origin, age, sexual orientation or disability unless a bona-fide occupational qualification exists. Guilford County is an equal opportunity employer.

Salary : $49,285 - $57,909