Air Compliance Inspector (5533 - Environmental Specialist)

Overall Job Objective

Position Description

Salary Grade: 11

Pay Range
Hiring Range: $52,251 - $62,701 Annually
Full Range: $52,251 - $73,151 Annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification.

This grant funded position for the Department of Environmental Quality conducts and documents air quality inspections at permitted facilities to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local applicable laws, ordinances, and statutes.

This is a grant-funded position ending September 30, 2025. Duties/Responsibilities

Work assignments may vary depending on the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)

Implements and/or participates in environmental quality and health activities or programs, e.g., water, air, hazardous materials (including landfill and wastewater), biology as it relates to protection of resources, plants and animals in the region, and the sustainability and livability of the greater Pima County community;

Provides information to department staff, the public and regulated industry, concerning environmental quality and health issues;

Performs inspections, research, and analysis, and reviews to ensure compliance with established rules, regulations and statutes and completes reports;

Prepares, reviews and approves plans and applications for applicable permits;

Oversees, monitors and coordinates assigned environmental, safety or health programs, e.g., pollution prevention and sustainability, to ensure compliance with environmental quality, health and safety regulations and criteria;

Designs environmental quality and health data collection systems;

Plans, organizes and implements environmental and health programs, e.g., pollution prevention and sustainability, for department, area of assignment, regulated industries and the general public;

Coordinates environmental quality and health and hazardous materials identification and remediation programs with other public, county, state and federal programs and agencies;

Advises and consults with management, public officials, professional, civic, industry and other groups, organizations and individuals regarding environmental quality and health activities;

Develops, analyzes, interprets and implements County ordinances and/or policies, state and federal laws regulating environmental quality and health;

Researches and interprets scientific data and trends in environmental quality and health technologies and topics;

Establishes and maintains liaison relationships and coordinates specific activities with other departments, public and private agencies, organizations and groups;
Trains, advises staff or other personnel on procedures, rules, regulations, etc.;

Conducts or coordinates meetings to resolve problems and address issues with the staff, the general public and outside private and/or public agencies;
Maintains, monitors, and coordinates creation and maintenance of appropriate records and data and ensures they are up to date and in compliance with regulations and policies;

Represents the department at various meetings;

Responds to citizen complaints/inquiries or conducts enforcement activities regarding environmental quality and health;

Supervises, evaluates and trains professional and support staff performing environmental quality and health activities and providing clerical/paraprofessional support.

IN A LANDFILL SETTING:
Provides quarterly landfill gas monitoring services at permitted landfills;
Assists in collection and analysis of leachate quality samples (air, environment, wastewater and groundwater quality);
Supervises the random landfill load inspection program that was mandated and established to exclude hazardous waste from the waste stream coming into landfills and transfer stations;
Tracks staff training requirements and coordinates with operations supervisors to schedule and notify staff of relevant training opportunities;
Coordinates with site supervisors to identify and correct potential safety concerns at facilities.

IN POLLUTION PREVENTION AND SUSTAINABILITY:
Develops and implements community engagement, communication, and educational outreach programs that support and promotes the sustainability and livability of the greater Pima County community;
Develops informational and educational materials, training programs, special events, incentive programs and outreach resources for Pima County Departments; including Eco Champions and Green Purchasing Representatives;
Researches and prepares grant applications to secure new funding sources for projects and programs.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

• principles and practices of environmental quality and health inspection, education and enforcement;
• biological and physical sciences applicable to environmental quality and health inspection, education and enforcement;
• laws, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances and their application to environmental and health issues;
• research and data analysis practices and procedures;
• principles and practices of environmental quality activities and public health administration;
• principles of supervising, assigning work, evaluating and training staff;
• techniques of locating funding sources and completing grant applications;
• community outreach techniques;
• locating and/or preparing educational materials.

Skill in:

• interpreting and applying environmental quality and health laws, rules, regulations, codes and ordinances;
• communicating effectively;
• planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing environmental and health programs and systems;
• inspection and reporting practices and procedures;
• research practices and interpretation of scientific data and trends;
• dealing with the public/media in an effective and timely manner;
• supervising, training, assigning work and evaluating employees;
• performing technical and mathematical analysis and calculations.
• locating funding sources and preparing grant applications.

Minimum Qualifications

(1) Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental science, environmental health, sanitation, public health, engineering hydrology or a closely related field as defined by the appointing authority at the time of recruitment AND three years of experience in the environmental or health fields.

OR:

(2) Five years of professional experience in implementing or participating in environmental quality/health activities.

OR:

(3) Three years of experience with Pima County as a Wastewater Laboratory Chemist, Wastewater Laboratory Chemist Specialist, Environmental Analyst or Sanitarian, or a combination of experience in two or more of the cited classes.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

1. Experience with/knowledge of environmental inspections.
2. Experience with/knowledge of performing routine mathematical and engineering calculations and analysis related to environmental pollution control technology.
3. Experience with public interaction and diffusing conflict.
4. Experience with/knowledge of evaluating local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to environmental quality.

Selection Procedure:

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicants suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services review and approval of the candidates driving record.

Special Notice Items: Some positions may require work in remote or limited access areas and terrain exposed to dust and pollen; work for prolonged periods in extreme heat, cold, moisture and humidity; occasional use of protective equipment due to potential exposure to hazardous substances, i.e., asbestos. Some positions may require preventative immunizations such as Hepatitis and Tetanus. Some positions within this classification that are not covered by the requirements of OSHA's Blood Borne Pathogen program may be offered, at County expense, the Hepatitis B series of vaccinations due to potential exposure to raw sewage and sharps (discarded needles/syringes). The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Some positions may require standing or walking for extended periods of time (up to two hours); physical and sensory requirements consistent with the employees' need to routinely and safely operate a motor vehicle in all weather conditions and on different road surfaces.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.