Environmental Quality Specialist

at  City of Plano Texas

At the City of Plano, our values make us who we are and guide us as we SERVE our city. As members of Team Plano, our organizational Values (what is most important to us) make up the acronym, SERVE (Stewardship Engaged Respectful Visionary Excellence).

JOB DETAILS

If you enjoy working in the outdoors and caring for the environment, join us! The City of Plano is looking for an innovative and forward thinking individual with a passion for the environment and the community to join our team as an Environmental Quality Specialist. This team member is responsible for performing environmental inspections to ensure compliance with the City’s stormwater permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, including sampling for water quality in our streams. Additionally, this position will perform vector surveillance and control activities and respond to and investigate complaints from citizens related to stagnant water, light, noise and other environmental concerns, as needed.
We offer the opportunity to work 4-10 hour days with one day off per week, 4-9 hour days and 1-4 hour day, or the traditional 5-8 hour days. Our department allows for team members to have a flexible work schedule within the core work hours of 7 am to 5:30 pm.
We encourage and cover the cost of certificate and license programs to promote employee knowledge and professional development.
Employees are also given the opportunity to attend conferences that relate to the job for training and learning opportunities.
There is an on-call requirement for at least 4 weeks out of the year, with one of them being a holiday. While on call, the team member will respond to issues that may arise for our department that need an immediate response, such as fuel spills, restaurant fires, and sanitary sewer overflows.
Very rarely, adulticide spraying for the vector control program will require working late at night.

As a valued Team Plano member, you will receive numerous benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Membership in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), in which the City matches contributions 2:1 upon retirement
• Up to three weeks of paid vacation
• Up to three weeks of paid sick leave per year
• Nine paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Free recreation center membership

And so much more! Learn about our benefits here.
Every person matters. Every job has purpose. Together we make a difference. Join Team Plano!
Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the journey-level classification in the Environmental Health Specialist series that follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines. Immediate supervision is available upon request. This class is distinguished from Environmental Health Specialist, Senior in that the latter is a higher-level class in the series that performs more complex technical, and investigative, duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of: Official environmental health records and preparation, filing, release, and reporting methods; principles, practices, and techniques of environmental health inspections, education, compliance, and enforcement. Federal, State and local regulations pertaining to environmental health.
Skill in: Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing; securing facts, documenting information, evaluating data, and drawing valid conclusions; diplomatic resolution of code violations; applying established testing procedures for extracting food and water samples, as well as the use of sampling and testing equipment; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clientele, the general public, and other departments and agencies.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Physical Science, Food Science, Environmental Engineering or other related science.
Experience: One (1) year of environmental health related experience.
Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified experience requirements
Licenses and Certifications: Texas Class C driver’s license (must obtain within 30 days of hire per state law); must register and pass the Professional Registered Sanitarians exam through Texas Department of Health within one (1) year of employment. Registration as Environmental Health Specialist through National Environmental Health Association preferred.
Conditions of Employment: Must pass a drug test, driver license check, criminal history background check, periodic CJIS background check (for positions requiring access into Police buildings) and social security number verification check.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer. Must possess mobility to work in the field, including traversing uneven terrain, operate a motor vehicle, work with tools and equipment, and to visit various City sites. Vision adequate to inspect assigned facilities, to read printed materials and a computer screen. Hearing and speech adequate to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking conducting inspections to identify problems or hazards. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull; obtain samples, and set up equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 35 pounds.
Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

MARGINAL DUTIES:

Performs other duties as assigned.
Typical Decisions: The incumbent identifies methods and techniques to modify daily operations of public and private industry to comply with current health codes.

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Investigates and inspects food service establishments, including temporary food establishments, schools, daycare centers, hospitals, nursing homes, swimming pools, public places, and other residential, commercial or industrial property for compliance with health regulations.
• Reviews construction plans and specifications for various types of licensed or public establishments for compliance to environmental health regulations.
• Collects field samples for analysis; conducts investigations of health and disease concern and general environmental health surveys; analyses information gathered, interprets analysis, and submits recommendations based on findings.
• Makes recommendations to both public and private industry representatives on methods/techniques to modify daily operations in accordance with current health codes.
• Works cooperatively with other Federal, State or local agencies, as required.
• Maintains environmental surveys, records of inspections and action taken; issues Notices to Appear, as required.
• Prepares documentation and affidavits; represents the City in court cases and hearings, when necessary.
• May train food handlers and be involved with various educational programs. Conducts field and office training and instruction sessions as needed.
• Responds to emergency situations when working on-call including but not limited to, fire suppression/discharge systems, hazardous spills, extensive power outages, and sewer overflow.
• Performs other duties as assigned, which could include:
• Conducts inspections of liquid waste generators, haulers/trucks; performs Certificate of Occupancy inspections; investigates complaints for illicit waste water discharge; processes written permit/stickers and applies them to vehicles; collects annual permit fees; maintains documentation of liquid waste transported and generated in Plano.
• Participates in the vector/rodent control program for the City of Plano; investigates all mosquito and rodent complaints; sets-up surveillance traps; administers larvacide in standing bodies of stagnant water, including residential swimming pools.
• Seeks compliance with various ordinances including but not limited to Noise, Outdoor Lighting, and Smoking ordinances; investigates complaints and conducts related tests; performs public outreach and education to prevent further ordinance violations.
• Manages the contents stored in the department Haz-Mat building; supervises the removal of both household hazardous and non-hazardous waste reclamation by a licensed Remediation and Reclamation vendors.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential