Stormwater Pollution Inspector (Code Specialist II)

Job Announcement

Want to help protect Fairfax County’s surface waters by finding and stopping stormwater pollution sources? Would you enjoy daily communication with residents and our business community to encourage stewardship of our local waterbodies and the Chesapeake Bay?

This position prohibits discharges of unauthorized substances through Fairfax County’s storm drainage system. Works in a dynamic and highly collaborative environment to respond to water quality complaints, inspect businesses for compliance with stormwater discharge regulations, and inform the public of best practices to protect surface waters from pollution.

Key responsibilities of this position:

• Conduct inspections and investigations for the county's Stormwater Management program in compliance with pertinent federal, state, and county stormwater regulations and procedures, including those mandated by the county’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit, as follows:
• Conducts scheduled inspections of outdoor operations and activities related to stormwater discharges at industrial and commercial facilities.
• Investigates service requests related to illicit discharges and improper disposal to the county storm drainage system and/or surface waters in Fairfax County, which may include:
• Conducting water quality sampling and analysis in the field using handheld devices and test kits, and interpreting results.
• Obtaining information from potential witnesses of polluting events.
• Interpreting site or building plans, topographic maps, and construction drawings as needed.
• Enforces Fairfax County’s Erosion and Stormwater Management Ordinance pertaining to illicit discharges and improper disposal (Code of Fairfax County, Chapter 124.1, Article 10).
• Creates and delivers educational messages appropriate for residents, business entities, and institutions and participates in public events.
  
  

Candidates should have the following competencies:

• Customer service oriented — identifies and meets customers’ needs within agency guidelines and clearly explains what is required of the customer (in regulatory interactions). Shapes customers’ expectations by educating them about the department’s services and regulatory requirements.
• Problem solving — cnticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities when responding to requests for service. Uses information obtained through investigation and inspection to make timely decisions about regulatory compliance and recommend or require solutions to solve problems.
• Effective communication and information sharing—communicates clearly and professionally in writing and verbally with team members, supervisors and management, peers in other departments, the business community, students, regulators, elected officials, and the public. Uses active listening skills to gain understanding. Accurately delivers information and direction to individuals and groups. Keeps others informed at all levels of the organization.
• Teamwork — works cooperatively with other individuals, departments, and/or cross-functional teams to meet compliance, enforcement, and public education and participation goals. Values the contributions of all team members.
• Interpersonal conflict resolution — recognizes and takes appropriate action to resolve conflicting interests between individuals or groups in a constructive and timely manner. Exercises emotional intelligence while communicating and negotiating with property owners and other responsible parties to resolve deficiencies and code violations.
• Accountability — takes responsibility for own decisions, judgments, and actions.
• Safety conscious — able to adhere to department safety rules and regulations, including driver safety.
  
  

DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

The Stormwater Planning Division is a nationally recognized team committed to improving sustainability and resiliency by equitably reducing flood risk and improving stormwater management and the water quality of approximately 400 square miles of local watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay.

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:

• Benefits
• Retirement
  
  

Note: This position works in the DPWES Stormwater Planning Division located at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia 22035. Note: In 2027, all Stormwater Planning Division assignments at the Government Center will be permanently located at the new Water Resources and Infrastructure building, located at 6000 Freds Oak Road, Burke, VA 22015. Position may require traveling to multiple Fairfax County sites.

The appointee to this position will be required to be available twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week (24/7) as emergency essential personnel staff and is required to report to work during extreme inclement weather and during emergency situations to fulfil emergency services.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a bachelor's degree in a field of study directly related to the industry being regulated such as engineering, architecture, urban planning, biological or environmental science, public administration, law enforcement, legal studies or a related field; plus two years of progressively more responsible complaint resolution and/or code enforcement experience in the industry being regulated.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

A valid motor vehicle driver's license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Code Enforcement - Two years of progressively more responsible complaint resolution and/or code enforcement experience in the industry being regulated.
• Inspections - Two years of experience with inspection methods applied in industrial and environmental assessments.
• Sampling - One year of experience with water quality sampling and analysis (for various physical, chemical, biological parameters) and interpretation of results.
• Stormwater Management - One year of working knowledge of stormwater drainage infrastructure, stormwater management facilities; non-structural stormwater best management practices for pollution prevention; and/or pertinent federal, state, and county stormwater discharge regulations, including applicable Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements.
• Chemical Handling - One year of experience with safety procedures for handling and testing substances.
• Computer and electronics skills - One year of experience in the basic use of computer software and applications (including GIS software) and other electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and handheld water quality monitoring equipment (for data management, analysis, and reporting).
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to conduct field surveys that require walking long distances and carrying equipment through rough terrain including stream valleys and wetlands. Able to lift 40 lbs. Able to lift/remove/replace manhole covers with appropriate tools, such as handheld puller/hook. Able to operate a motor vehicle. Able to operate computers and mobile devices, such as phones and tablets. Able to operate office peripheral equipment, such as printers, plotters, and scanners. Able to operate water quality field instruments and test kits. Physically and mentally able to use all applicable personal protective equipment in indoor and outdoor environments including hardhat, eye protection, hearing protection, safety footwear, safety vest, gloves, waders, etc. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others .) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [email protected] EEO/AA/TTY.