Salary: $79,564.83 - $103,434.28 Annually
Location : Austin, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 24-09523
Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)
Opening Date: 10/18/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Job SummaryTravis County Transportation and Natural Resources, Natural Resources and Environmental Quality (NREQ) Division, is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to fill the position of Environmental Program Manager for Water Quality.
Primary functions of this position include managing three distinct water related programs: Stormwater, Water Quality, and Hydrogeology.
Preference will be given for demonstrated successful experience in a variety of water quality program areas including:
• Stormwater program management, TPDES MS4 permits
• Water quality sampling and monitoring, TMDL's
• Water availability, both surface and groundwater, and
• A well-developed network of relationships and deep understanding of the Central Texas community and its environment.
Experience and expertise in the following areas is highly preferred:
• Leadership
• Project and program management and development
• Managing environmental regulation and compliance programs
• Working with the development community
• Working with groundwater conservation districts
• Developing and implementing environmental rules and technical standards
• Analyzing and developing policy and legislation
• Analyzing, developing, and managing budgets
• Communicating budget requests
• Communicating with elected officials and upper management
• Collaboration, coordination, and effective working relationships with public officials, representatives of public agencies, and the general public
• Public education, outreach, and participation
• Verbal and written communication.
NREQ is comprised of highly talented and knowledgeable individuals who work well as a team. We are passionate about environmental issues and work toward a common vision of a resilient and sustainable Travis County. We invite candidates to apply for the Water Quality Program Manager position who share our passion, are creative, and have an innate drive toward excellence.
This position is eligible for telework, with in-office and field work as necessary.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:This is the fourth in a series of four environmental-related job classifications within the Professional Support job family. This classification represents senior management within the department. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.
Duties and Responsibilities - Directs planning, development and implementation of policies and programs to ensure compliance with local, state and federal environmental laws and regulations on a countywide basis. Reports to and provides recommendations to Environmental Officer and Commissioners Court on environmental policy matters. Represents the County before Federal, State and Local regulatory agencies.
- Oversees and conducts research, consultation and provides reports to Commissioners Court in response to queries from constituents and Commissioners Court members regarding current and prospective natural resources issues, program activities and plans.
- Manages, directs and supervises work and activities of professional and technical staff which includes recruiting, hiring, training, work distribution, coaching, performance management, performance reviews and discipline.
- Directs and implements civil environmental enforcement program. Oversees creation and maintenance of database for enforcement activities and coordinates with other departments and agencies with similar missions.
- Directs and implements air and water quality program elements. Assists in drafting of policy and code and oversees adherence to existing regulations and policy of the Commissioners Court in these technical areas which includes inter-agency responsibilities embodied in interlocal agreements.
- Directs and oversees environmental grant program and is responsible for managing and seeking the administering of grants in diverse areas including recreation, floodplain buyout, ecological restoration, and land acquisition.
- Directs the planning, scoping, scheduling and budgeting of natural resources protection and enhancement projects. Oversees planning, review and approval of environmental protection and enhancement projects, including the environmental components of engineering plans. Requests for proposals and contract administration for approved projects.
- Reviews or directs the review of environmental remediation and enhancement plans to ensure compliance with County and other environmental standards.
- Acts as a liaison with Federal and State authorities and other local political subdivisions to ensure coordination in the protection of natural resources.
- Performs administrative duties related to the program, such as preparing or assisting in preparation of reports and correspondence, annual work plan, program budget, status reports.
- Serves as a liaison with and represents the County to advisory groups and local agencies, community and neighborhood groups, boards and commissions, professional associations, and private companies. Assists in monitoring emerging environmental policy at State and Federal levels and initiatives related to environmental policy and regulatory issues. Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public, or department personnel on environmental issues. Responds to difficult citizen inquires and complaints.
- Prepares and makes presentations related to environmental regulations, policies, procedures, projects and programs. Answers inquiries concerning environmental related issues from a broad spectrum of individuals and groups.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements Education and Experience:Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or a directly related field AND five (5) years of experience in natural resources or environmental analysis and grant management, including both program development, implementation and grant administration, and including two (2) years of mid- to senior level supervisory or management experience;
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:Valid Texas Driver's License.
Preferred:Master's degree Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or a directly related field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge of:- Standard management theory, principles, practices, and techniques of environmental and natural resource protection.
- Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
- Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
- Technical aspects of field inspection and enforcement in areas of air and water quality and solid waste.
- Requirements for contract plans, specifications, and estimates.
- Federal, State, Local and County applicable environmental laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
- Budgetary and fiscal process.
- Environmental laws, regulations and mitigation requirements.
- Consultant contract management policies and procedures.
- Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
- Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
Skill in:- Supervisory/management issues, including planning and managing teams.
- Leadership, collaboration and negotiation techniques.
- Planning and coordinating work activities.
- Contract negotiation.
- Researching, analyzing, compiling, preparing and presenting technical data/information and reports.
- Problem-solving and decision-making.
- Conflict resolution and community relations.
- Developing and monitoring programs and related budgets.
- Both verbal and written communication.
Ability to:- Manage, motivate, train, develop and evaluate staff.
- Plan, organize and effectively direct projects.
- Evaluate technical proficiency and direction of field initiatives in air and water quality and solid waste enforcement areas.
- Develop and implement new and innovative ideas for protecting natural resources.
- Work on a wide variety of tasks simultaneously and produce timely and tangible results.
- Prioritize needs, develop and implement plans of action.
- Work as a team member within a diverse organization.
- Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
- Read and understand basic legal documents.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.
Work Environment & Other Information Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, standing, walking/hiking (some rough terrain), carrying, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. May work in extreme temperature/weather change/conditions, and smoke on prescribed or wild fires. Maybe subject to contact with dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable/ infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm
Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)
Location: 700 Lavaca St. , Austin, TX
Criminal, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.BenefitsEmployment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.
FY2024 Travis County Benefit Guide
In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.
Credit UnionEmployees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.
Deferred CompensationEmployees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.
Direct DepositEmployees may sign up for direct bank deposit.
Employee Assistance ProgramTravis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.
Employee OrganizationsMembership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.
Employee Health & Wellness ClinicEmployees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.
HolidaysAn average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Insurance Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.
The following benefits are employee paid:
- Dental
- Vision
- Supplemental Life, AD&D
- Dependent Life
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Long Term Care
New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.
LongevityLongevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.
On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.
ParkingA limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.
Personal HolidaysRegular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:
January - March
3 personal holidays
April - June
2 personal holidays
July - September
1 personal holiday
October - December
None
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.
RetirementTravis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
Sick LeaveRegular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Parental LeaveEach Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.
Tuition RefundCertain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.
VacationBased on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:
0 to 5 years
4.0 hours per pay period
6 to 10 years
4.5 hours per pay period
11 to 15 years
5.0 hours per pay period
16 to 20 years
5.5 hours per pay period
21 plus years
6.0 hours per pay period
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.
Workers' CompensationThe county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.
01
Briefly describe your experience working on water quality and availability issues.
02
Briefly describe your philosophy about how local government should interact with the public related to plans, policies, and programs.
03
Briefly describe your experience presenting to and interacting with elected officials, stakeholder groups, and government agencies, boards, and officials.
Required Question
