Natural Resources Specialist (Environmental Field Inspector-Haz-Mat/Storage Tank

Performs professional environmental work enforcing the provisions of environmental ordinances as well as participates in natural resource enhancement and protection efforts.

Works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

Minimum education and experience Requirements

Requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in chemistry, geology, biology or environmental science or closely related field.

Requires six (6) months experience in natural resource protection based on area of assignment or closely related experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E drivers license for duration of appointment. (Depending upon area of assignment.)

Preferences

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Natural Resources Specialist – inspection concentration with the Pollution Prevention Section of the Environmental Permitting Division. The Pollution Prevention Section regulates, licenses, and inspects hazardous material, storage tank, and wellfield facilities in Broward County to protect the environment, ground and groundwater through applicable environmental regulations within the Broward County Code of Ordinances (the Code) and State and Federal Rules and Regulations.

Natural Resources Specialists with inspection concentration conduct various routine compliance assistance and follow-up hazardous material and/or storage tank facility inspections; cite non-compliance items and issue non-compliance letters; prepare warnings and/or notices of violation and associated correspondence dealing with enforcement of environmental ordinances, rules and regulations; respond to haz-mat and/or storage tank associated Service Requests, citizen complaints, reported spills and discharges; and conduct field sweeps of industrial areas in search of regulated businesses operating without the required haz-mat/storage tank facility licenses. Storage tank facility type inspections also include install, closure, discharge investigation and complaint investigation inspections at State and County regulated facilities in Broward County. Field Inspectors generally input their findings into the inspection databases, and maintain electronic files of documented observations, records reviewed, digital photos taken, test results received, site sketches, etc. and electronically issue associated notices and/or inspection reports to the regulated businesses in Broward County.
This hands-off position is mainly responsible for conducting field inspections at State and/or County regulated haz-mat and storage tank facilities in Broward County, and ensuring compliance with all applicable environmental regulatory requirements. Tasks performed include educating the regulated community regarding the compliance program’s purposes, requirements, processes and procedures; communicating with business representatives on-site in person, and/or by phone, email, or other written correspondence on compliance issues; scheduling inspections and follow-up activities; conducting electronic inspections by photo-documenting observations, inputting compliance and non-compliance findings, information into the databases; processing, maintaining and forwarding associated inspection reports electronically; citing non-compliance issues and processing and tracking associated enforcement activities to ultimately ensure compliance with licensing and/or regulatory requirements.
Field Inspectors regularly coordinate internally with each other, Licensing Coordinator Natural Resources Specialists, Senior staff, Technical Support staff, Supervisors and/or Managers, and externally with Contractors, Permittees and/or the Regulated Community representatives regarding the Code and applicable inspections’ rules, requirements, processes, procedures and regulations. Natural Resources Specialists in their capacity as Field Inspectors must possess strong customer service skills to coordinate, schedule and conduct field inspection activities, and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally in person, on the phone and in writing. Field Inspectors must also possess knowledge of hazardous material facility and storage tank system operations, strong organizational and computer skills, including the use of workflow databases, the Internet (for research and on-line business info, registration, etc.), MS Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) and Adobe Acrobat. Natural Resources Specialists are required to stay abreast of current applicable environmental technology and EPA, State and local rules and regulations and perform related work as assigned.

• Tech Savvy:
  Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications. Investigates technologies to learn some cutting-edge best practices. Uses digital/social media to benefit the team and add value to the work being done; understands how to avoid misuse of these tools.
• Manages Complexity:
  Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Quickly determines the most critical data and focuses analysis there; recognizes even subtle symptoms that indicate problems; probes deeply for root causes; uses systematic problem-solving methods. Well.
• Decision Quality:
  Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. Swiftly internalizes coaching on routine issues; handles issues confidently after instruction. Leverages rules and procedures to speed up decision making. Confidently and quickly draws on others’ expertise.
• Optimizes Work Processes:
  Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Pursues, explores, and develops ways to ensure own work is as effective as possible within all relevant processes. Shares an analysis of process problems with stakeholders; discusses how to resolve the issue.
• Ensures Accountability:
  Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Accepts responsibility for own work, both successes and failures. Handles fair share and does not make excuses for problems. Usually meets commitments to others.
• Communicates Effectively:
  Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Seeks out others’ perspectives and asks good questions. Shares information that people want to know; gives appropriate context and details when speaking.
• Courage:
  Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. Is known for expressing views directly and respectfully; communicates what needs to be said. Assumes personal ownership and responsibility when confronted or challenged; shows readiness to learn and to resolve issues.

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs light work that involves walking or standing most of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office equipment or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

Involves routine and frequent exposure to disease/pathogens. (Depending upon area of assignment.)

All Broward County employees strive to demonstrate the County’s four core behavioral competencies.

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Values differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Broward County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. We support the hiring of people with disabilities; therefore, if you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954-357-6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to make an accommodation request.

County-wide Emergency Responsibilities

Note: During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.

County-wide Employee Responsibilities

All Broward County employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Broward County’s Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.

All Broward County employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.