Solid Waste Environmental Specialist

Department:

Solid Waste

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you a detail-oriented environmental professional who thrives on keeping critical systems running safely and in compliance? In this role, you will coordinate, implement, and oversee the daily operations of landfill gas collection and destruction systems, environmental monitoring programs, and NPDES permit requirements across three solid waste facilities. You'll play a key role in protecting environmental quality, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting efficient facility operations.

If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in environmental stewardship and operations, apply today and help drive sustainable solutions forward!

About the Position

In this role, you will...

• Conduct landfill gas field analysis using stationary and portable instrumentation. Monitor sample points such as wellheads, laterals, etc.
• Analyze and interpret data to makes decisions for the operations of the LFG collection and destruction systems such as adjusting flow rates, clearing of headers and laterals, etc.
• Operate a variety of field monitoring equipment for landfill gas collection & destruction systems.
• Calibrate and maintain monitoring equipment and field instrumentation as required by permit or manufacturer.
• Coordinate and/or conduct repairs and modifications necessary to maintain and operate the landfill gas collection systems. Such as making repairs and/or modifications to wells, wellheads, collection lines, condensate traps, migration probes, vaults, flares, leachate lines, pumps, control panels, and associated equipment.
• Perform compliance audits and maintenance checks on air systems, flare stations, gas probes, gas extraction wells, sumps and other equipment and infrastructure.
• Monitor and record ambient gas points and gas migration probes to regulatory agencies.
• Supervise outside agencies that perform air monitoring tests/calibrations/repairs such as NMOC, Visual Emissions, surface emissions for permit compliance.
• Prepare and submit reports to local, state and federal agencies.
• Coordinate and perform the requirements for the environmental monitoring program at all landfill sites to include SOP protocols, site sampling, QA/QC, data review and evaluation, report and data submittals, correspondence with regulatory agencies and maintains historical site databases.
• Coordinate the development, implementation and submittal of permit required plans such as Technical Reports and Groundwater Monitoring Plans.
• Coordinate the NPDES program for the three landfill sites.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (no weekends!)

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

About Everything Else

Environmental Specialist I (Starting Pay: $24.74/hr)

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of a 2-year degree with 2+ years of related work experience.
• OR: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biological, physical or environmental sciences, environmental engineering or related field
• OR: 4+ years of progressively responsible experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree.
• Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.

Environmental Specialist II (Starting Pay: $56,139.20/annually)

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biological, physical or environmental sciences, environmental engineering or related field with 2+ years of professional experience.
• OR: Master's degree may substitute for 1 year of professional experience.
• OR: 6+ years of progressively responsible experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree.
• Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

• Working knowledge and experience with landfill gas collection & destruction systems; water field sampling protocols.
• Knowledge of Title V, NSPS, GHG, Groundwater, Surface Water and NPDES regulations.
• Knowledge of landfill gas and environmental sampling/monitoring equipment.
• Principles of landfill gas & systems, certified NPDES inspector, environmental sampling courses & training.
• Knowledge of electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic pump systems.
• Ability to drive utility vehicle and tow a trailer.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five years.

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 lbs. Employees can use handling devices (dolly, cart, etc.) or work with another team member to lift and/or move excessive poundage of 50-plus pounds.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver's License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver's License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above - List B Documents.)

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above - List C Documents.)

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County - Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service - internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.