Engineering Technician-Surface Water job in Lake Stevens

First review of applications is July 1, 2019. Open until filled.

This is a skilled technical position with an emphasis on performing daily operations and inspections of storm/drainage facilities, industrial waste facilities, grease traps/grease interceptors and erosion/sediment control measures in compliance with various federal, state and local regulations. The incumbent is part of a collaborative work team that is responsive to inquiries from the public, contractors, consultants, engineering professionals, and staff.

Work is characterized by a independent, routine, and sometimes specialized duties associated with inspection of facilities, such as retention/detention ponds, underground storage tanks, bioswales, flow control structures, manholes, catch basins, conveyance systems, industrial waste connections to sewer, and surface water programs to comply with federal and state environmental regulations, including the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, NPDES, and the Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan; facilitates compliance with the city's Comprehensive Plan; deals with storm water related inquiries and issues; coordinates with stakeholders related to surface water matters. Performs support for engineering studies associated with surface water. Requires the ability to make decisions within job responsibilities and take responsibility for such decisions.

Work is performed with limited supervision. The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available; once the incumbent gains proficiency in assigned tasks, more independence and discretion are expected in handling projects and priorities. The incumbent and the supervisor work together to develop deadlines, projects, and determine work to be completed. The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignments, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives and technical judgement. The incumbent keeps the supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate and perform inspections of surface water practices related to businesses and public/private stormwater facilities including routine maintenance and scheduling maintenance dictated by inspection, pollution prevention and Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination; prepares work orders for routine maintenance of public facilities as needed.
• Create, update, and maintain inspection files throughout the inspection process. Information maintained may include, but is not limited to, property owners' names and addresses, notification letters, defects/deficiencies, maintenance correction letters, facility sketches, construction plans, site plans, city operation and maintenance standards, inspection reports, records of telephone conversations, maintenance checklists, standard forms, and correspondence.
• Prepare a correction list to be used in the maintenance correction letters to property owners to notify them of repairs, maintenance, or corrections necessary to bring their systems into compliance; coordinate abatement actions as necessary; perform re-inspection and follow-up after maintenance corrections are made by property owners; communicate with the Public Works Director to discuss options for property owners who are not in compliance.
• Identify and investigate sources of pollutants entering the storm and surface water drainage system; educate property owners and enforce elimination of pollutant sources through appropriate resolutions; communicate extensively with customers and monitor improvements to ensure effectiveness.
• Setup portable flow monitors for open and closed channels to measure the flow of these storm/industrial waste facilities; maintain said flow monitoring devices; obtain information from the devices; and prepare reports of the information obtained for use by the city.
• Monitor surface water quality of water bodies and storm water facilities as needed, and as part of the on-going surface water programs; including developing protocols, sampling, lab analysis or sending to outside lab, and analyzing the data. 
• Respond to pollutant spills: trace source, identify, provide or assist in containment, enforce clean-up, coordinate enforcement notices, and educate the public; provide support and training to city staff on tracing source of spill and construction site monitoring.
• Research private/public storm drainage systems; advise and educate property owners on drainage and surface water quality issues; trouble-shoot problems and recommend solutions.
• Research needed information on storm/industrial waste systems and building sites to be inspected; review construction plans, specifications, and facility sketches; verify the actual site and location of facilities to be inspected.
• Monitor, document, and investigate to be in compliance with the NPDES permit.
• Represent the city at various meetings and hearings regarding proposed or in progress construction projects.
• Provide information and direction over the telephone, online and in person to citizens, contractors, and state agencies relating to Public Works issues and permit requirements.
• Prepare and maintain various reports and records related to projects.
• Work with the City Clerk's Office in the maintenance of records and preparing documentation in response to requests for public record.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit for extended periods of time and type on a keyboard for extended periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work is subject to driving to offsite locations and performed mostly in the field in a variety of weather conditions, while some time is spent in an office environment. While in the field, the employee must stand or walk on variable surfaces including hard, even surfaces and uneven ground, as well as sloped embankments. Employee often works in the right of way or construction sites and may be exposed to physical hazards such as moving traffic and heavy construction equipment. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. Indoors, the noise level is usually moderate; outdoors, the noise level may be moderate to loud.

Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.  Evening or variable hours to attend meetings may be required.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
Education:  Two year degree in environmental science, engineering, construction  management or closely related field;
Experience:  Three years of experience working with surface water management and related programs;

Knowledge of:

• City of Lake Stevens construction and development standards.
• City, county, state, and federal codes, standards, requirements and regulations relating to Fish and Wildlife; Water Quality; Surface Water, Industrial Wastewater, Utility & Drainage; National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems permits; and other applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures related to inspection.
• Technical aspects of the field of specialty.
• City storm drainage systems and facilities.
• Stormwater facility and construction inspection means and methods.
• Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control plans and practices
• Water quality sampling techniques and methods.
• City organization, operations, policies, and objectives.
• Drafting, surveying, and hydraulics.
• Applicable health and safety regulations.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Recordkeeping techniques.
• Research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures and report preparation and presentation.
• Modern engineering methods as applied to the design, project management and construction of surface water management systems and general construction.
• Mathematics and formulas including algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus.
• Effective oral and written communication principles and practices to include public relations, public speaking and professional business letter writing.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as: word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Ability to:

• Maintain regular, predictable and reliable attendance during scheduled hours.
• Participate as a contributing member of a service-oriented team.
• Organize work for maximum efficiency.
• Work from construction plans, blue prints, site drawings, sketches, and electronic files.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and general business correspondence.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Demonstrate positive and effective support, interaction and communication with individuals of diverse social and economic backgrounds.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Remain professional when dealing with hostile and/or irate contractors, owners and citizens.
• Anticipate problems in advance of their occurrence and eliminate them when possible.
• Apply common sense understanding to interpret and to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, sketch, or schedule form.
• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet schedules and timelines.
• Act in fair, honest, and ethical manner.
• Maintain confidentiality and communicate with tact and diplomacy.
• Work independently with minimal direct supervision.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Maintain records and schedules and submit reports as required.
• Work safely and in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and with city policies and standards.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to listen effectively and to explain applicable legal requirements, policies, and procedures to internal and external customers.
• Perform research and analysis on engineering, environmental or water resources issues.  

Licenses or Certificate Requirements:

• Valid State of Washington Driver's License; and a driving record which meets the city's requirements.
• Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) certification, or ability to obtain within one month of hire.
• Completion of position-relevant background check.