Environmental Specialist
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on Nov 13, 2026
Description
The City of Grand Forks is hiring a proactive, dependable professional to lead our environmental monitoring programs and keep our community in compliance with environmental regulatory programs.
Description
To initiate, coordinate, oversee and participate in all work activities supporting environmental monitoring programs required of the City of Grand Forks; to assure the City’s compliance with the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and other environmental regulatory programs as directed; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.Examples of Duties
Essential Functions:
1. 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.
2. Conducts Field inspections, investigations, and monitoring of industrial and commercial facilities that discharge to the sanitary sewer
3. Compile inspection notes and data, generate reports, maintain databases, issue corrective action requirements, and track compliance with federal, state and city requirements and regulations at businesses,
4. Assist in all work activities supporting environmental monitoring programs and to provide recommendations to the Assistant Water Works Director and Water Works Director as required of the city by the State and Federal governments.
5. Develop and maintain program documents according to federal guidelines; coordinate sampling and analysis and provide reports to authorities as approved by the Assistant Water Works Director and Water Works Director
6. Assist in all work activities supporting environmental compliance programs and to provide recommendations to the Environmental Management Director as required of the city by the State and Federal governments
7. Developed and maintain programs documents according to federal guidelines; coordinate sampling and analysis and provide reports to authorities as approved by the Environmental Management Director
8. 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
9. 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.
10. Provide or coordinate staff training in operations and maintenance; work with employees to correct deficiencies; participate in employee evaluations.
11. Responds to water emergencies related to investigation of spills, improper or illegal discharge practices, and public health issues as directed by the Assistant Water Works Director and Water Works Director
12. Oversee Industrial billing and compliance.
Marginal Functions:
1. Maintain awareness of new developments in Environmental Regulatory Programs and federal regulations; provide recommendations on new developments as appropriate for programs.
2. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of environmental regulatory programs.
3. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.Typical Qualifications
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.
