Environmental Technician

Environmental Technician

Salary

$51,445.00 Annually

Location

Public Works, City Lot, VA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

04687

Department

PUBLIC WORKS-ENGINEERING

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

10/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under general supervision, performs advanced paraprofessional engineering work. Assists the Public Works Department in implementing the City's Stormwater Management Program, maintaining compliance with laws and regulations, and enforcing local ordinances. Conducts field inspections and investigations in support of the City of Suffolk MS4 Permit. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in ensuring that necessary work and accompanying paperwork is performed in a timely manner. Employee must also exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with developers, contractors, and the general public. Reports to the Environmental Specialist.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

• Conducts field inspections of stormwater management facilities, or BMPs, and develops inspection reports.
• Conducts illicit discharge investigations and corresponds with other departments to resolve issues.
• Conducts stormwater outfall screenings and prepares associated screening reports.
• Conducts field testing.
• Assists with stormwater outreach events, including presentations at schools and community events.
• Serves as staff representative on committees.
• Investigates complaints from the general public pertaining to departmental services or programs, or refers to appropriate official.
• Provides support to emergency clean-up contractors during business hours.
• Assists the general public and consultants with locating file information, maps, etc. Assists in creating and maintaining department filing system and maintains accurate and current records for private site and engineering plans, including electronic files. Assists consulting/private engineers, land developers, and the general public in obtaining information regarding existing or proposed water, sewer, and stormwater and roadway facilities within the City of Suffolk.
• Assists in maintaining a log of departments fixed assets (i.e. stormwater infrastructure and stormwater management facilities).
• Assists departmental staff in preparing public presentations to the City Council and community organizations.
• Reviews and inspects stormwater infrastructure.
• Conducts property research.
• Conducts field sampling and monitoring of stormwater runoff and analyzes data.
• Conducts surveying and sounding measurements of stormwater ponds.
• Assists with water sampling via boat on the Nansemond River and analyzes monitoring data.
• May provide detailed monitoring reports and assists the Public Works Engineering Division staff.
• May review plans for the location of stormwater features.
• May assist with Erosion and Stormwater management inspections.
• May answer any questions that may arise from assisting Engineers, Planners and Land Developers pertaining to departmental policy, procedures and location of available water and sewer facilities.
• May assist in locating physical water and sewer structures and verifies as-builts using GPS technology.
• May be required to prepare and provide expert sworn testimony in courtroom or hearings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree with major course work in science, or a related field, and at least 2 years of experience in science, water and sewer

utilities, surveying or a related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid drivers license.

In addition, for the Department of Public Works, a DEQ Erosion and Stormwater Inspector Certification, to be acquired within 12 months of hire.

A Virginia Boater's License may also be required.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to design and construction of stormwater facilities.
• Knowledge of municipal engineering objectives, purposes, methods and practices.
• Knowledge of land and engineering survey systems, methods and techniques. Knowledge of federal, State and local laws, regulations and codes governing municipal public works and utilities construction and design, including stormwater regulations.
• Knowledge of State and local laws, ordinances and codes pertaining to new construction and stormwater. Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments, or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, letters and memos, site plans, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering and legal terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, blueprints and engineering specifications, and GIS mapping and databases.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits

Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)

Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members

Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.

Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Yearly earnings

120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)

Sick Leave

Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave

All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.

Health Insurance

Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.

Supplemental Insurances

Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.

Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability

Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.

Life Insurance

The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.

Optional Life Insurance

Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.

Funeral Leave

24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.

Holidays

Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jury Duty

Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.

457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA

Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.

Employee Assistance Program

Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.

Workers Compensation

Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmens Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.

Pay Days

Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.

Credit Union

A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.

Legal Services

Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.

Notary Public Services

Services available in the Human Resources Department.

Alternative Work Schedule

For some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.

01

Which of the following reflects your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• None of the above
• Some College/Coursework-no degree

02

Do you have a Bachelors degree with major coursework in environmental sciences, biology, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a valid Virginia Boaters License?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have at least 2 years of experience in science, water and sewer utilities, surveying, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

06

Indicate the amount of experience you have in the following: science, water and sewer utilities, surveying, or a related field:

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2 - 3 years
• 3-4 years
• 4- 5 years
• 5 - 7 years
• 7 years or more

07

Do you have a valid DEQ Erosion and Stormwater Inspector certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Suffolk

Address 442 W. Washington Street, Suite 1044

Suffolk, Virginia, 23434

Phone 7575144110

Website http://www.suffolkva.us