Nature of Work Harford County Government is seeking qualified experienced candidates to join the Watershed Protection and Restoration Office within the Department of Public Works. This office administers the County's Municipal Storm Separate Sewer System (MS4) permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and the requirements of the MS4 permit.
The successful candidate will be familiar with stream water quality impacts and methods to measure, quantify, and mitigate those impacts. Note that the classification for this position has two progressively responsible levels.
Through the recruitment process, a determination will be made on which position will be offered to a candidate, based upon their education and experience.
Watershed Restoration Environmental Specialist I Under general supervision, this employee participates in implementing one or more of the requirements of the MS4 permit
Watershed Restoration Environmental Specialist II Under general supervision, this experienced employee oversees and/or participates in implementing one or more of the requirements of the MS4 permit.
Watershed Restoration Environmental Specialist III Under minimal supervision, this advanced employee oversees and/or participates in implementing one or more of the requirements of the MS4 permit. This employee may also supervise the activities of one or more subordinate employees. Examples of Duties
(The following examples illustrate the work performed in the positions in the class. Positions may require some or all of these examples depending on the organization of work within the department. The list is not inclusive. A position may require duties not listed, if necessary, to accomplish the work of the department.)
Participates in planning and project prioritization of capital improvement projects that meet the requirements of the County's MS4 permit.
Reviews available written reports and participates in on-site field evaluations.
Assists in the development of the five-year capital improvement program budget.
Coordinates with property owners to effectively communicate the benefits of the capital improvement project in order to obtain necessary easements.
Property owners include private property owners, homeowner associations, commercial property owners, Harford County schools, and other County departments.
Assist with the development of scopes of work for capital improvement projects.
Reviews and approves technical proposals to ensure all necessary tasks are included for the delivery of a completed project.
Reviews and approves invoices.
Tracks project schedules.
Assist in the review of computations, plans, specifications, and plats to ensure conformance with sound engineering practices and applicable codes and regulations.
Communicate both verbally and in writing with design engineers to discuss recommendations and comments.
Negotiates appropriate solutions to problems as applicable.
Coordinates with internal and external agencies to ensure compliance with County codes and regulations including but not limited to erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, forest conservation, and wetlands and waterways.
Requests funding approval for construction contracts for capital improvement projects.
Manages construction oversight contracts as necessary.
Coordinates with County construction inspectors to ensure projects are constructed as designed and as presented to property owners.
Develops appropriate solutions to problems as applicable.
Assist in the review of documents for the completion and close out of capital improvement projects including as-built drawings.
Coordinates permit closeout and ensure necessary permit conditions are met including long-term monitoring as necessary.
Represents the department at public hearings, meetings, and conferences as assigned. Answers public inquiries and acts on citizen complaints and suggestions.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and County environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Thorough knowledge of water quality and quantity concepts related to stream health and natural resources processes.
Thorough knowledge of stormwater hydrology and hydraulics.
Thorough knowledge of watershed restoration capital improvement projects including but not limited to stormwater management retrofits, stream restoration, and tree planting.
Administrative, planning, and organizational skills.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Exceptional problem-solving skills.
Proficient communication skills when dealing with the public.
Ability to represent the Department before community groups and/or committees.
Knowledge of GIS, including data analysis, transfer and formatting
Knoweldge of Harford County specific data layers, creation detail, ownership, and display
Knowledge of database query procedures and ability to assess the accuracy of results
Ability to manipulate spatial data, cartographic output and design, software commands, data editing, accuracy determination, digitizing, scanning, plotting, data acquisition and general computer operation
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental science, natural resources, urban planning, or closely related technical discipline. Proof of college degree required by selected candidate.
EXPERIENCE: Related experience in Environmental Science or Engineering is preferred.
LICENSE:
Possession of a professional engineer's license issued by the State of Maryland is preferred but not required.
SAFETY: Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations, and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.
FRINGE BENEFITS
(Effective July 1, 2023)
ANNUAL LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment and cannot be taken until successful completion of probationary period, EXCESS of 40 DAYS [320 hours] will be deposited into an 106 Premium Reimbursement Account.
0 months - 3 years 1 day per month (12 days per year)
4 years - 9 years 1 ¼ days per month (15 days per year)
10 years - 15 years 1 ¾ days per month (21 days per year)
Over 15 years 2 days per month (24 days per year)
* Please note that leave is prorated according to your status determined by actual hours worked*
SICK LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment (UMLIMITED ACCUMULATION)
1 day is allowed after first month of employment
1 ¼ days per month accumulation
PERSONAL LEAVE - For new employees, personal leave is prorated according to schedule below, for the first year only. Any employee on board as of December 31st of each year automatically receives 8 days as of January 1st the following year. (NOTE: Personal Leave may not be taken until successful completion of probationary period; personal leave will be lost if not taken before December 31st of each year.)
1/1 to 1/31 6 days 4/1 to 4/30 3 days
2/1 to 2/28 5 days 5/1 to 5/31 2 days
3/1 to 3/31 4 days 6/1 to 6/30 1 day
7/1 to 12/31 0 days
FAMILY LEAVE - Up to 12 weeks per year
FUNERAL LEAVE - 3 days + 1 day for extended travel
MILITARY LEAVE - 3 weeks per year with no loss in pay for Reserve or National Guard Training, Active Duty and serving during emergencies.
CIVIL LEAVE - No loss in pay while serving Jury Duty.
RETIREMENT - COUNTY EMPLOYEES: State Pension System 7% employee contribution LAW ENFORCEMENT (TO INCLUDE TEMPORARY DEPUTIES): LEOPS 7% Employee Contribution CORRECTIONS: SOPP 9% Employee Contribution
COUNTYFLEX - Provides the employee with a range of health care and other employee benefit options which gives employee the opportunity to design a benefit plan that best meets the employee's needs. Employee may use available credits to purchase the following:
HEALTH INSURANCE - CareFirst Triple Option and BlueChoice Opt-Out Plus Open Access and Kaiser Permanente (all plans include prescription drug coverage)
DENTAL INSURANCE - CareFirst Dental PPO Plus Plan and CareFirst Dental PPO Plan
VISION INSURANCE - Provided through BlueVision Plus
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Provided through American Fidelity. Employees may fund health and child care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
PRE-TAX - All deductions for health, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts are subject to deductions from paycheck before federal and state taxes are applied.
LIFE INSURANCE -
Provided through MetLife - $50,000 policy - NO COST TO EMPLOYEE
SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE (TERM/WHOLE/UNIVERSAL AND AD&D)
Provided through MetLife.
LONG TERM DISABILITY - Provided through MetLife.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION -
Lincoln Financial Group - Retirement Consultant David Weiland
Phone 410-236-2494 Email- Dave.Weiland@LFG.com
[Customer Service Representative 1-800-234-3500]
RETIREE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE BENEFITS-
Employees hired on or after 7/1/2010 will have an automatic Retirement Health Savings account made available as the primary retiree healthcare benefit. This 105(h) Universal Reimbursement Account will only be able to be accessed upon separation of service and/or retirement whichever applicable. These accounts are employer funded, tax free, & portable with 20 different Nationwide investment options.
These funds are solely for the use of offsetting your premium health care cost, prescriptions, co-pays and deductibles. Upon death funds are made available immediately to the surviving spouse or qualified dependents (as defined by the IRC 152 (a).
DEATH BENEFITS - PAID BY COUNTY
50% of accumulated sick leave
All accumulated annual leave
Personal leave (maximum of 2 days)
$50,000 life insurance
One (1) month's salary
PAID BY RETIREMENT
One year's pay (after 1 year's service) plus employee's contributions refunded with interest.
