Job Abstract

The position may be filled at either an Environmental Inspector or Senior Environmental Inspector level based on skill and experience. Applications will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASIS with a first review date of Monday, April 22, 2024.

Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to apply early. This recruitment is open until filled and may close at any time without notice once sufficient qualified applicants are received.

Salary Effective June 24, 2023

Salary as of June 22, 2024

The City of Buena Park Public Works Department is looking for an organized, analytical, and energetic professional to join the team. Depending on the classification level, this individual performs a variety of complex environmental inspections and investigation duties at industrial, commercial, residential, and Home Owner(HOA) properties around the City, and ensures that the city is in compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations primarily associated with the Federal Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), the City's Local Implementation Plan (LIP), and the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) control programs.

The ideal candidate for this position is self-motivated and possesses excellent written, communication, and computer skills to successfully interact with City contractors and supervise day-to-day inspections, issue violation notices and correspondence including administrative citations, conduct public education seminars, and read building/construction plans and specifications.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Environmental Inspector under general supervision conducts commercial, industrial business, restaurant, and environmental inspections related to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES), the city’s Local Implementation Plan, and the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Control Programs, conducts public education seminars and completes other technical compliance records; and does related work as required.

The Senior Environmental Inspector, under general supervision conducts commercial, industrial business, restaurant, and environmental inspections related to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES), the city’s Local Implementation Plan, and the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Control Programs and enforces related standards and regulations; evaluates monitoring reports, prepares annual Program Evaluation Assessment (PEA) report, and administers environmental projects, and does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Environmental Inspector performs a variety of environmental inspections, interprets regulatory standards, and participates in the preparation of compliance records and reports. It is distinguished from the Senior Environmental Inspector, which requires more specialized knowledge of environmental regulations, codes, and compliance methods, performs the most complex or sensitive inspections, and has accountability for presenting the semi-annual and annual compliance reports.

For a full description of the job classification for the Environmental Inspector click here.

The Senior Environmental Inspector is distinguished from the Environmental Inspector given its more specialized knowledge of environmental regulations, codes, and compliance methods. The Senior Environmental Inspector also performs the most complex or sensitive inspections, and has accountability for evaluating a range of environmental monitoring reports while also being expected to present semi-annual and annual compliance reports.

For a full description of the job classification of the Senior Environmental Inspector click here.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Knowledge of:

Federal, state, and local codes, regulations, and policies governing storm water runoff, water quality, and industrial waste discharge, including NPDES, FOG, RDMD standards and local ordinance and practices; principles of chemistry and biology related to laboratory testing standards; inspection, surveillance, and evidence collection techniques; PEA reporting requirements and data evaluation methods; waste source control standards; public relations techniques; training principles; report writing techniques; project administration techniques; English grammar, spelling, and punctuation; word processing, database, and spreadsheet software programs; effective customer service techniques.

Ability to:

Analyze, interpret, and enforce environmental laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations governing storm water runoff, water quality, FOG management, and related hazardous waste discharge and control; determine how data in monitoring reports relates to enforcement actions; prepare and present environmental evaluation reports; research and maintain current knowledge of pertinent information and developments in the environmental and NPDES compliance functional areas; organize and conduct training and orientation programs to communicate compliance standards; operate computer equipment and use word processing, spreadsheet, and testing software; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, property owners, business representatives, regional representatives, and the general public; maintain accurate records; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to talk, hear, stand, walk, and sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; bend, squat, kneel and occasionally crawl. The employee climbs stairs and ladders to access rooftops and elevated inspection areas. The employee lifts and carries inspection tools, records, or electronic devices that typically weigh less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret blueprints, documents, and other types of information; use math and mathematical reasoning; interact with staff, management, environmental officials, and public and private representatives, including situations involving conflicts regarding code interpretation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee constantly works outdoors in conducting inspections and is exposed to variable weather conditions as well as heat, humidity, and moisture. The employee conducts inspections from elevated surfaces and in confined spaces. The employee is exposed to grease, oils, abandoned chemicals, vehicular fluids, contaminated absorbents, and hazardous waste. The employee is exposed to traffic, fumes and airborne particles, and the risk of shock during electrical inspections. The noise level is frequently loud at construction sites. Administrative and record keeping functions are typically completed within an office environment where the noise level is quiet or moderately quiet.

Environmental Inspector: High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalent is required, preferably supplemented by technical certification, college courses and/or training in environmental compliance, hazardous materials management, report writing, and field inspection practices. Two years of experience in local government inspection, inspections of commercial, industrial, municipal facilities, and construction sites, environmental science, sewer and storm drain maintenance programs, or a related field is required. Experience involving environmental inspections related to the implementation of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and enforcement of water quality standards is highly desirable.

Senior Environmental Inspector: High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalent is required, preferably supplemented by technical certification, college courses and/or training in environmental compliance, hazardous materials management, report writing, and field inspection practices. Three years of environmental experience is required involving implementation of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, conducting storm water compliance inspections, administering enforcement actions, and completing a variety of related reports.

Environmental Inspector: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Penal Code 832 certificate, Certified Stormwater Inspector (CSI) certification, and complete Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standard (HAZWOPR) training within one year of assignment to this classification.

Senior Environmental Inspector: Certified Stormwater Inspector (CSI) certification and Hazwoper training is required. Must be able to obtain a Penal Code 832 certificate within one year of assignment to this classification.

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.

The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

Americans with Disabilities:
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (714) 562-3515 no later than 5 business days before the test date.

Fingerprinting:
Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

Physical Examination:
Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.

The City of Buena Park Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy requires that all applicants undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment.