Stormwater Permit Coordinator/Inspector job in Ridgefield

THE RIDGEFIELD COMMUNITY
Ridgefield is located in northwest Clark County, Washington along the Interstate 5 corridor, 17 miles from the Portland International Airport. Washington State University-Vancouver and Clark College are located within 20 minutes. Ridgefield offers the best of life in a small, safe and supportive community while being in close proximity to the Portland-Vancouver metro area. Located between the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Mountains, Ridgefield boasts easy access to parks, lakes, rivers and forested areas symbolic of the Pacific Northwest. Hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, the ski slopes of Mt Hood, and the Washington and Oregon coasts are all within an easy 90-minute drive.

With a city population of 15,180 and 23,000 total outlying population, the community has unique offerings from our local merchants, artisans, wineries and companies supporting commerce and industry throughout the Northwest and beyond. Ridgefield is great place to live, work, play and learn with rolling hills, the picturesque Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, a historic downtown, arts quarter and welcoming small-town feel.

STORMWATER DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The Stormwater Division of the Public Works Department provides direction, technical expertise for stormwater systems and maintains stormwater drainage facilities. The mission is to ensure the public’s health and safety and to protect the environment by establishing and enforcing standards for stormwater drainage and environmental protection.

The Stormwater Division is also preparing for implementation of the Western Washington National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II municipal stormwater management program beginning in July 2024.

THE POSITION
The position is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between Teamsters Local 58 and the City of Ridgefield. This is a challenging and rewarding career opportunity for an experienced professional who wants to make a difference in an active and growing community. Under the general direction of the Stormwater Manager, this position has two primary areas of responsibility:

• Coordinate the City’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Municipal Stormwater permit.
• Perform technical inspections of facilities to ensure compliance with the NPDES permit.

The City’s growth will create varied and interesting tasks in the following areas:

1. Develop, implement, evaluate, support and report on multiple aspects of permit areas, including stormwater and watershed planning and prioritization; public involvement and participation; public education and outreach; illicit discharge detection and elimination; controlling runoff from new development, redevelopment and construction sites; pollution prevention; operation and maintenance for municipal operations; local source control and annual reporting requirements.
2. Perform highly technical professional work requiring significant interaction with other City departments, local jurisdictions and state agencies.
3. Monitor water quality and operations and maintenance of the City’s stormwater management facilities.
4. Promote ecologically sound stormwater practices and foster healthy watershed stewardship.
5. Works under general supervision and the guidance of City and departmental policies and procedures and applicable local, state and federal regulations, permits, policies, guidelines and stormwater engineering standards.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City is seeking a community minded Permit Coordinator/Inspector who is able to manage a sizable workload, complete projects in a timely manner, interface with the public and be a contributing, collaborative member of the City team during a period of rapid growth.

The ideal candidate will:

• Possess a flexible “can-do” attitude focused on high levels of customer service and a willingness and ability to pitch in and help when needed to get any job done.
• Be able to organize and effectively express ideas through oral and written communications to a wide variety of audiences.
• Have proven experience and knowledge of current principles, practices, issues, trends, regulations and techniques related to stormwater and the NPDES permit.
• Have the proven ability to effectively manage a diverse set of job responsibilities.

Competitive candidates should have:

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree with a degree or major coursework in civil engineering, water quality, environmental science, biology, chemistry and/or a related field.
2. Experience: • Two years of responsible experience in a stormwater management program or closely related experience • Experience or training in record keeping, data analysis and data reporting; geographic information system, and computer aided drafting • Experience in NPDES permit compliance is preferred.
3. Certifications/Licenses: • Valid driver’s license with a driving record free from serious or frequent violations • Stormwater inspector certificate and Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) certificate within six months of hire.
4. Skills and Knowledge: • Knowledge of the Federal Clean Water Act National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit and the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington • Stormwater engineering principles, practices and methods • Water resources planning, ecosystem functions, water chemistry and physical and biological sciences • Project management skills including planning, organizing, evaluating and analyzing problems and implementation plans.

Any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the level of required knowledge and abilities may be considered.

All employees are expected to work in a manner consistent with the City of Ridgefield’s Team Philosophy: work diligently to provide quality service and make a better community; with accountability, reliability, and integrity; be innovative, efficient, proactive, and adaptive; work as a cohesive team with compassion, leadership and professionalism; and know how to have fun.

The final candidate will be required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the position is $33.58-$44.22 per hour; the starting salary is dependent upon experience and qualifications. The City of Ridgefield currently provides medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents. Employees contribute 10% of the medical premium which is now $157.68 per month. The City also provides life insurance at two times your annual salary, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account options and an Employee Assistance Program.

Other benefits include an Employee Wellness program, voluntary life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave. Leave benefits currently include vacation accrual up to 80 hours during your first year of employment, 11 paid holidays per year, 3 additional paid floating holidays, and 8 hours accrued sick leave each month.

The City encourages and supports continued professional development for all employees. Such as career-based tuition reimbursement, degree and certification incentives, and membership fees for professional organizations. Enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund is automatic.

HOW TO APPLY
An application, resume and cover letter are required. Your cover letter should be no more than three pages and should include the following information:

1. Your qualifications, skills and abilities related to the position,
2. Strengths and challenges in the position,
3. Your interest in working for the City of Ridgefield.

The Application for Employment with an attached cover letter and resume can be submitted on-line at: https://ridgefieldwa.bamboohr.com/careers/58?source=aWQ9MjU%3D

Finalists will be invited to interviews on Monday, March 25, 2024. References will be contacted only following candidate approval. The final candidate will be required to successfully complete a background investigation.

More information about the Public Works Department and job opportunities are available on the City’s website at www.ridgefieldwa.us or by calling Human Resources at 360-887-3557.

The City of Ridgefield is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining a diverse mix of talented people who want to come, grow, and do their best work here. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working environment that is inclusive, equitable, welcoming and that provides the best possible services for our community.

This announcement is meant only as a general descriptive recruitment guide. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract and is not a complete description of the job.