Monitoring and Surveillance Specialist

Monitoring and Surveillance Specialist

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

17269

Department

Pollution Control Services Department

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

10/31/2026 11:59 PM Central

Max Number of Applicants

150

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) Mission

The mission of Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (PCS) is to protect the citizens of Harris County from environmental impacts through firm, consistent enforcement of state and federal regulations. The ultimate goal of PCS is clean air, water, and proper management of waste. The activities of PCS are directed toward ensuring clean air and water for the citizens of Harris County, consistent with the protection of public health, enjoyment of property and the protection of plant, animal, and marine life.

What you will do for Harris County Pollution Control

Under the supervision of the Air Monitoring Services Supervisor, the Monitoring and Surveillance Specialist will perform ambient air quality monitoring to characterize air quality, locate potential unauthorized or nuisance emission sources, conduct ambient air monitoring during environmental emergencies, operate and maintain Community Air Monitoring Program (CAMP) equipment and participate in the development of new air monitoring programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct operation, maintenance, calibration and installation of air monitoring instrumentation
• Perform ambient air quality monitoring in the field utilizing a variety of laboratory grade monitoring and sampling equipment
• Evaluate monitoring data, interpret results, perform calculations, and prepare data reports
• Develop, update, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures, maintenance and calibration documents, and QA/QC documents related to air monitoring
• Participate as part of HCPCS response to environmental emergencies to provide

analytical data

• Assist in the development of new air monitoring services and programs
• Liaison with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, vendors, and other Harris County Departments on air monitoring network related issues
• Order parts and materials to ensure adequate supplies for air monitoring equipment are available
• Assist in air investigations as needed on a case-by-case basis

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in a physical or life science

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience in environmental monitoring, or utilizing analytical laboratory instrumentation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of ambient air monitoring
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work independently
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance of air monitoring equipment is desirable
• Knowledge of how to manage and report analytical data is desirable
• Mechanical aptitude necessary for installation, repair and maintenance of air monitoring equipment
• Ability to understand and apply applicable environmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with site representatives, TCEQ air monitoring staff, and the general public

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Experience:

• Experience working with air quality instrumentation, air sampling equipment, laboratory equipment, and drone equipment. (preferred)
• Experience working in the ambient air quality monitoring field. (preferred)
• Experience with emergency response, HAZMAT, or fire service. (preferred)

General Information

Position Type, location and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full time | Monday - Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. and working a rotating On-Call shift
• May be required to work after hours and during weekend and holidays
• During response to emergencies and disasters may work extended hours and/or days.
• 101 S. Richey, Suite H Pasadena, TX 77506

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Position: Air Monitoring Services Supervisor
• Supervised Positions: None

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Working in an office environment
• Working in an outdoor environment
• Possible exposure to inclement weather or various temperature changes
• Possible exposure to loud noises in the environment
• Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals
• Possible exposure to dangerous or aggressive/adverse situations
• May be required to operate within various businesses which will include heavy commercial and industrial facilities.
• As an operator of the PCS mobile air monitoring platforms, this specialist must be able to drive for

extended periods of time, work in the rear of a climate controlled bus and drive a small bus-platform

mobile lab if/when necessary.

• Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
• During response to emergencies and disasters may work extended hours and/or days.

This position may require employee to be deployed to alternative county locations during emergency events.

• This position may require employee to be deployed to alternative county locations during emergency events.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Physical Science
• Life Science
• Other Related Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.

04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in environmental monitoring, or utilizing analytical laboratory instrumentation?

• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) year or more but less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years or more but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) or more years
• I do not have this experience

05

Please provide details about your verifiable experience in environmental monitoring, or utilizing analytical laboratory instrumentation. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

06

In which of the following concepts do you have strong knowledge and/or professional experience? (Select all that apply)

• Experience working with air quality instrumentation, air sampling equipment, laboratory equipment, and drone equipment
• Experience working in the ambient air quality monitoring field
• Experience with emergency response, HAZMAT, or fire service
• None of the above.

07

Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx