Environmental Specialist I

Bedford County, Virginia is hiring an Environmental Specialist I for the Smith Mountain Lake Summer Pump Out Program. The role involves team leadership, monitoring pump out procedures, operating a pump out truck, and educating boaters on pollution issues. Candidates must maintain effective relationships with marina owners and the public. The position requires weekend work from mid-May to mid-September and pays $19.00 per hour.
TLAC is currently accepting applications for Environmental Specialist I for the Smith Mountain Lake Summer Pump Out Program. The candidate will report to the program manager. Job tasks include providing team leadership for this summer program; monitoring pump out procedures as performed; and preparing reports including information pertaining to each vessel serviced by the program. The candidate must also be able to operate the pump out truck to include offloading sewage from vessel holding tanks; transporting sewage to a land-based holding tank; gathering specific information from vessel owners and entering it into a daily log; informing boaters where and how to report observed pollution problems; and, the importance of proper disposal of sewage. The candidate must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with marina owners, other employees, and the general public. Also, as part of the application process, candidates must agree to a criminal background search and a drug screen.

The rate of pay for the Environmental Specialist I position is $19.00 per hour and will require employees to work on weekends from mid-May thru mid-September, plus an additional Monday for the Memorial Day and July 4th weekends - for which a Holiday pay adjustment will be provided. Apply online at www.bedfordcountyva.gov. Also, paper applications are available at the TLAC Office located at 400 Scruggs Rd, Suite 200, in Moneta, VA, or can be requested via email at: pumpout@sml.us.com. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.

Position Summary

Provide leadership and supervision for Smith Mountain Lake (SML) summer vessel pump out and education program, and shall report to the department head. Work is performed under general supervision. Regular supervision may be exercised over subordinate personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• Supervises job duties involving the operation of the pump out service provided to SML boaters.
• Scheduling of staff for pump out boat and trucks.
• Monitors educational activities conducted by staff.
• Ensures accuracy of recordkeeping for information pertaining to the number of gallons pumped, provision of educational materials and interaction with boaters.
• Forwards reports to departmental staff regarding boat activities.
• Ensures safe operation of all equipment, including boat and truck.
• Maintains contact with the departmental staff regarding program progress and concerns.
• Operates the pump out service on dock/land using the portable pump out equipment to remove the contents of the boat sewage holding tank into a tank onboard a vehicle.
• Drives vehicle to approved sewage treatment facility and empties storage tank as needed, careful to avoid spills.
• Evaluates and determines that pump out facilities, dump stations and onshore facilities are operational by visual inspection so that boaters will have these services readily available.
• Establish contact with boaters at marinas and discuss marine pollution, importance of proper disposal of sewage, public health consequences and inform boaters on how to report possible pollution.
• Solicits support from marina operators by encouraging their support for improved water quality by not allowing their customers (boaters) to discharge sewage and other water into the waterways.
• Operate the pump out boat service. While operating the pump out boat the employee engages other boaters in conversation pertaining to the No Discharge Zone designation of SML and the importance of the proper disposal of sewage.

Education / Experience

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school, and boating experience.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Thorough knowledge of safe boating practices and procedures. Knowledge of Smith Mountain Lake and the locations of marinas. Must possess the ability to keep records, deal with the general public tactfully, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

Physical Requirements

This work requires vocal communication for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken work levels; visual acuity is required for preparing written reports and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to outside environmental conditions, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards and atmospheric conditions. The worker may be exposed to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.

Special / Additional Requirements

The worker shall hold a valid Virginia Driver’s License and shall have passed the Virginia Boating Safety Education course.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. This is not an employment contract and does not alter any employee at-will status.

Bedford County maintains a safe, drug-free workplace for its employees. Drug screening, driving record check, a criminal background check, and previous employer references are required for all positions as conditions of pre-employment.

Bedford County, VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Temporary

Pay: From $19.00 per hour

Schedule:
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:
• Moneta, VA 24121 (Required)

Work Location: In person