Environmental Resource Specialist (Temporary)

Full Job Description

The current vacancies are in the Public Works department.

Ramsey County is now recruiting for two (2) temporary seasonal Environmental Resource Specialist position! Both positions will work within the Environmental Services Division of the Public Works Department.

• One position focuses on Water Quality
• One position focuses on Environmental Maintenance and Inspections.

Ramsey County is now recruiting for two temporary seasonal Environmental Resource Specialist positions.

Both positions will work within the Environmental Services Division of the Public Works Department.

One position focuses on Water Quality and the other position focuses on Environmental Maintenance and Inspections. Key tasks for each position are listed below.

Water Quality:

Obtain water samples from 29 lakes on a rotating basis to determine water quality through laboratory analysis of chemical and biological properties such as turbidity, phosphorous, nitrogen, chloride, and chlorophyll A.

Utilize a YSI multiparameter sonde to profile pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and temperature of lakes. Other tasks include fish surveys, zooplankton analysis, phytoplankton analysis, E.

coli testing of beaches, public outreach, macrophyte surveys; and document results for use in water quality improvement activities.

Organize annual weed and algae control programs by corresponding with lake improvement associations, assessing their responses and monitoring the work of contractors hired to perform weed control activities.

Environmental Maintenance and Inspections:

• Perform soil testing including mechanical and qualitative analysis and identification of hydric soils. Conduct field inspections of engineering projects to document adherence to environmental protection requirements.
• Investigate and initiate remediation of spills or contamination of county properties in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Conduct periodic inspection of county facilities and infrastructure such as lake outlets, storm sewer, stormwater treatment systems, and erosion control projects; and prepare lists of required maintenance materials and actions.
• Provide GIS services including coordinating, initiating, and implementing programs/services, planning and budgeting conservation activities, writing grants/securing funding, providing reports, updates, and outcomes, providing consultation, and other tasks as assigned.
• Interpret data, create and maintain GIS databases and maps, and use GIS software to analyze spatial and non-spatial information.
• Inspect county properties for diseased or hazardous trees, estimate volume of trees to be removed, research developments in tree management, prepare specifications for hiring contractors to perform trimming or removal work, prepare requests for funding, review contractors' work, drafts annual report, and monitor expenditures.
• Tree inspector license and/or experience identifying and assessing trees desired. Possess a working knowledge of native and invasive species endemic to the Upper Midwest.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

Requirements

1. Provide technical assistance to Ramsey County landowners, internal staff and partnering agencies on implementing urban best management practices (BMPs).
2. Prepare cost estimates, project schedules and contract execution; oversee construction activities, project verification and closeout.
3. Serve as division liaison to citizen groups, local elected officials, environmental interest groups and the public by providing information regarding environmental resource management activities and impacts from county projects.
4. Provide community outreach by working with student groups and educators for information on natural resource protection.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENT:
Water Quality

1. Obtain water samples from lakes susceptible to winter fish kill and analyze for oxygen content to determine need for aeration.

Obtain water samples from surface waters and storm sewers to determine water quality through laboratory analysis of chemical and biological properties such as pH, zooplankton, phytoplankton, nitrogen analysis, conductivity, chloride, chlorophyll A, E.

coli, hardness, alkalinity, turbidity, and phosphorous level; identify the presence, community composition, and distribution of lake weeds; and document results for use in water quality improvement activities.

2. Obtain water samples from county beaches and analyze for presence of E. coli to determine safety for recreational use.
3. Organize annual weed and algae control programs by corresponding with lake improvement associations, assessing their responses and monitoring the work of contractors hired to perform weed control activities.

Environmental Maintenance

1. Use AutoCAD and Vectorworks, design conservation projects, such as rain gardens and shoreline restorations, to reduce storm water volume and improve water quality of local water resources; consult on landscaping with native plants.
2. Investigate and initiate remediation of spills or contamination of county properties in compliance with state and federal regulations.
3. Conduct periodic inspection of county facilities and infrastructure such as public water accesses, lake outlets, storm sewer, stormwater treatment systems, and shoreline erosion control projects; and prepare lists of required maintenance materials and actions.
4. Provide GIS services including coordinating, initiating, and implementing programs/services, planning and budgeting conservation activities, writing grants/securing funding, providing reports, updates, and outcomes, providing consultation, and other tasks as assigned.
5. Interpret data, create and maintain GIS databases and maps, and use GIS software to analyze spatial and non-spatial information.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENT:

Water Quality: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Environmental Maintenance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science or Design, Biology, Forestry, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management or a related environmental science.

Experience: None.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: Must have a valid driver’s license.

Additional Information

This is an unclassified, at-will temporary position. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, temporary position.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Employment isn't guaranteed beyond the end of this assignment.

Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:

Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause.

Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301.

An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment.

Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought.

However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program.

This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce.

The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees.

Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them.

Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact Lindsey.Hunter@co.ramsey.mn.us.