Environmental Response Specialist

Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) Mission The mission of Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) is to protect the citizens of Harris County from environmental impacts through firm, consistent enforcement of state and federal regulations. The ultimate goal of PCS is clean air, water, and proper management of waste. The activities PCS are directed toward ensuring clean air and water for the citizens of Harris County, consistent with the protection of public health, enjoyment of property and the protection of plant, animal, and marine life.

What you will do for Harris County Pollution Control Under general supervision, the Environmental Response Specialist will respond to environmental emergencies in Harris County such as HAZMAT spills, industrial fires, and emission events.

Individuals in this role will be responsible for conducting routine inspections, monitoring air quality, addressing field complaints, and writing reports. In addition, this role involves availability as part of a rotating on-call schedule, collaboration with other agencies, and assisting in field training for new employees.

The Environmental Response Specialist must possess basic knowledge and understanding of the Texas Administrative Code, Texas Health and Safety Code, and Harris County rules and regulations, exhibit excellent communication, collaboration, reporting, and decision-making skills, and be able to effectively perform environmental response efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities: Reports: • Writes various reports regarding each response and investigation, including a detailed report of performed activities, data collected, and supporting documentation.

Environmental Response: • Remains available and on-call, in a rotation with other ER Specialists, to promptly respond to environmental emergencies in Harris County, such as floods, disasters, chemical spills, fires, etc.

Air Monitoring: • Utilizes handheld instruments and GPS tracking to conduct air quality assessments in response to environmental incidents, severe weather, and natural disasters.

Field Complaints & Inspections: • Conducts investigations in response to citizen complaints of air, solid and hazardous waste, stormwater, and wastewater issues to determine compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Health and Safety Code, and Harris County rules and regulations; communicates rules and regulations to the public, subjects, and complainants; issues violation notices. Also conducts follow-up inspections of complaints or environmental response investigations to ensure compliance.

Collaboration: • Works closely with Harris County agencies to address, manage, and ensure coordinated and effective responses to environmental emergencies.

Training: • Participates in training activities and assists with training newly hired employees by performing fieldwork.

Other duties as assigned:• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email [email protected].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate. Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Geology, Environmental Science, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university

• Two (2) years of experience in environmental response, environmental cleanup, emergency response, emergency management, environmental inspections or environmental investigations

OR:

• Associate's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Geology, Environmental Science, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university

• Three (3) years of experience in environmental response, environmental cleanup, emergency response, emergency management, environmental inspections or environmental investigations

OR:

• High School Diploma or equivalent from an accredited college or university

• Four (4) years of experience in environmental response, environmental cleanup, emergency response, emergency management, environmental inspections or environmental investigations.

Licensure/Certification:

• Valid Driver’s License (TX upon hire)
• Must have certification for 40-hour HAZWOPER training or be able to obtain certification within three (3) months of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of environmental issues through education or practical experience.
• Possess a basic understanding of state and federal statutes and regulations related to air, water, and solid waste issues.
• Familiarity with environmental monitoring/sampling equipment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs and Adobe Acrobat.
• Basic computer skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management, organization, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
• Great interpersonal and collaboration skills.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full time | Monday - Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

• Operating on a hybrid schedule and rotating on-call shifts Required to work weekends, holidays, and overtime for emergency and disaster response

• Flexibility in working hours essential to support continuous operations

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Position: Supervisor, Environmental Response
• Supervised Positions: None

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This role involves operating within an office and outdoor setting, implying that a significant portion of the tasks and responsibilities will take place outside of traditional indoor office spaces. The physical demands are medium, with individuals potentially exerting up to 50 pounds of force on occasion.
• Possible work exposures include dangerous chemicals, loud noises, inclement weather, various temperature changes, or dangerous and adverse populations.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.