
Environmental Investigator III
Houston, TXFull-time$34.12–35.18/hrPosted 1 day agoStill listed today
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At a glance
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Requirements
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Job overview
The City of Houston’s Houston Water Drinking Water Operations seeks an Environmental Investigator III for its Tier II emergency management position. The role supports environmental compliance at surface water and groundwater plants through inspections, investigations, reporting, waste coordination, chemical inventory work, and monitoring programs against state and federal regulations. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a specified or closely related field and two years of pollution or environmental control professional experience.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Full job description
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED Division: Houston Water Section: Drinking Water Operations Reporting Location: 7027 Ardmore St, Houston, TX 77054 Workdays & Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM - 4:30PM* *Subject to change
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Houston Water is a team of approximately 1,500 drinking water and wastewater professionals, including but not limited to operators, mechanics, engineers, scientists, planners, regulatory and business personnel. The City of Houston Water and Wastewater Utility is a regulated public health agency governed by federal and state laws. Drinking Water Operations is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Environmental Investigator III. The selected candidate must meet all aspects of the Environmental Investigator III classification established by the City of Houston.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Prepare Tier II facility maps and assist with the preparation of annual Tier II chemical reporting.
- Conduct annual facility spill prevention control and countermeasure (SPCC) inspections; prepare reports with investigative findings.
- Assist with the classification of hazardous and non-hazardous waste and coordinate disposal efforts.
- Assist with the coordination of proper universal waste storage and disposal efforts.
- Assist with the annual SCBA fit testing, and annual training associated with SCBA respirators.
- Promote environmental awareness regarding proper handling, transport, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
- Assist with quarterly dry scrubber sampling.
- Prepare workplace chemical lists and research and collect chemical safety data sheets.
- Perform advanced environmental-related technical inspections, investigative work, facility inspections and environmental compliance audits related to the City’s surface water and groundwater plants.
- Conduct biennial chlorine kit inventory checks.
- Monitor aspects of environmental programs for compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Conduct chemical inventories and prepare hazardous materials inventory documents.
- Analyze problems, propose solutions, and work efficiently with supervision.
- Prepare observation reports and investigate findings for utilization in corrective recommendations.
- Serve as a back-up for chemical spill response and hazardous waste disposals.
- Assist with the preparation of HAZCOM (hazard communication) training materials and presentations.
- Perform routine data analysis, operate, and ensure the proper maintenance of equipment.
- Maintain administrative records and electronic filing system.
WORKING CONDITIONS The position requires bending and/or lifting of items of up to 40 pounds and/or long periods of walking on rough surfaces. There are occasional discomforts from exposure to moderate heat, cold, moisture/wetness and unpleasant air conditions. The position may involve occasional exposure to chemicals substances and soiled materials which may require the use of a tight-fitting full-face respirator.
This is a Department of Public Works & Engineering Emergency Management position at the Tier II Level. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Requires a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health Engineering or a closely related degree.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Two (2) years of pollution/environmental control professional experience are required.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS None Preference will be given to applicants with:
- Environmental health/safety programs experience.
- Industrial & hazardous waste classification and reporting experience.
- Tier II chemical reporting experience, conducting facility inspections and investigations.
- Advanced computer skills, with the ability to utilize Microsoft Office applications.
- Advanced technical writing skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- The ability to adhere to the facial hairstyles listed on the CDC/NIOSH, facial hairstyles and filtering facepiece respirators poster.
- The ability to multitask, and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Valid Texas Driver’s License and compliance with the City of Houston policy on driving (AP 2-2).
Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None However, the department may administer a skills assessment test.
SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: YES If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.
SALARY INFORMATION Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.
PAY GRADE 20 APPLICATION PROCEDURES Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.
To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-395-2972.
If you need special services or accommodations (TTY 7-1-1)
If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.
Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.
All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.
EOE Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
How this job compares
Set against the 642 open Environmental Compliance jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 11, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$34.12–35.18/hr
- US median$25–43/hr69 hourly ranges
This range's midpoint, $34.65/hr, is 3% above the US median midpoint ($34/hr) — in the middle half of Environmental Compliance hourly ranges across the US.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 56 open Environmental Compliance jobs in Texas and 642 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Texas
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON5 open
- Amazon4 open
- SpaceX3 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 2 years of experience; Environmental Compliance postings that state a minimum ask for 4 years at the median (493 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 311 of the 642 open Environmental Compliance jobs (48%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 11, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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