What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Specialist position at City of Grand Forks ND?
Description
The City is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Environmental Specialist to administer and enforce our industrial pretreatment program in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This position plays a critical role in protecting the municipal wastewater system, safeguarding public health, and maintaining environmental quality throughout the community.
Examples of Duties
Essential Functions
Knowledge: Working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations relating to commercial and industrial wastewater discharge requirements; Chemical, biological, bacteriological, and physical characteristics of drinking water, wastewater, biosolids, and stormwater; Inspection, sampling, and laboratory procedures, techniques, and equipment relating to water, wastewater, and stormwater; Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Skills: Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing; Establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Retain effective audio-visual and perception skills to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Strong math and analytical skills.
Abilities: Properly operate technical field sampling and testing equipment; Conduct field c analysis of environmental samples; Have familiarity of a variety of laboratory instruments and equipment; Analyze, interpret, and apply the results of laboratory testing; Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports; Ability to work independently and manage a schedule to achieve Department goals and objectives in a timely manner; Perform detailed work with high degree of accuracy; Efficiently use computer and software necessary for data input.
Supplemental Information
Experience: Two to four years of increasingly responsible experience in a field related to inspections, sampling, laboratory analysis, code compliance, environmental services, or public utilities.
Training: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in the biological, physical, or environmental sciences or a related field.
License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate,
The City of Grand Forks offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include participation in the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. Employee Contribution of a mandatory 4% and up to 7% with an Employer Contribution of a mandatory 5.26% up to 9.26%. For more information on our benefits click 2025 Benefit Summary 2026 Benefit Summary
If you are applying for a Part Time Temporary or Seasonal position, you are not eligible for benefits through the City of Grand Forks.
The City is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Environmental Specialist to administer and enforce our industrial pretreatment program in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This position plays a critical role in protecting the municipal wastewater system, safeguarding public health, and maintaining environmental quality throughout the community.
Examples of Duties
Essential Functions
- Performs technical work in enforcement, documentation, and compliance with all Federal, State, and local regulations and guidelines to maintain compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Industrial Pretreatment Program.
- Performs technical reviews to ensure documents are legally and scientifically defensible in consultation with the appropriate Water Division personnel.
- Review plans and designs for new construction projects,
- Assist in all work activities supporting environmental monitoring programs and to provide recommendations to the Environmental Management Director as required of the city by the State and Federal governments.
- Develop and maintain program documents according to federal guidelines; coordinate sampling and analysis and provide reports to authorities as approved by the Environmental Management Director
- Oversee the fulfillment of permit requirements and coordinate discharge sampling and analysis with the appropriate personnel.
- Assist and participate on review team for Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program and Stormwater Management Program to determine priority items and progress.
- Conduct FOG inspections on grease pretreatment devices such a grease traps and interceptors, distribute and conduct FOG education and outreach to businesses, clients, property owners/managers, and residents
- Maintain records and develop reports concerning new or ongoing programs and program effectiveness; maintain records for environmental compliance programs; maintain and file required compliance reports; prepare statistical reports as required.
- Provide or coordinate staff training in operations and maintenance; work with employees to correct deficiencies; participate in employee evaluations.
- Responds to water emergencies related to investigation of spills, improper or illegal discharge practices, and public health issues as directed by the Environmental Management Director
- Oversee Industrial billing and compliance.
- Maintain awareness of new developments in Environmental Regulatory Programs and federal regulations; provide recommendations on new developments as appropriate for programs.
- Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of environmental regulatory programs.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Knowledge: Working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations relating to commercial and industrial wastewater discharge requirements; Chemical, biological, bacteriological, and physical characteristics of drinking water, wastewater, biosolids, and stormwater; Inspection, sampling, and laboratory procedures, techniques, and equipment relating to water, wastewater, and stormwater; Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Skills: Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing; Establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Retain effective audio-visual and perception skills to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Strong math and analytical skills.
Abilities: Properly operate technical field sampling and testing equipment; Conduct field c analysis of environmental samples; Have familiarity of a variety of laboratory instruments and equipment; Analyze, interpret, and apply the results of laboratory testing; Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports; Ability to work independently and manage a schedule to achieve Department goals and objectives in a timely manner; Perform detailed work with high degree of accuracy; Efficiently use computer and software necessary for data input.
Supplemental Information
Experience: Two to four years of increasingly responsible experience in a field related to inspections, sampling, laboratory analysis, code compliance, environmental services, or public utilities.
Training: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in the biological, physical, or environmental sciences or a related field.
License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate,
The City of Grand Forks offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include participation in the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. Employee Contribution of a mandatory 4% and up to 7% with an Employer Contribution of a mandatory 5.26% up to 9.26%. For more information on our benefits click 2025 Benefit Summary 2026 Benefit Summary
If you are applying for a Part Time Temporary or Seasonal position, you are not eligible for benefits through the City of Grand Forks.