Groundwater Protection Inspector #1485 - Development Services - Public Works Division at Hamilton County – Chattanooga, Tennessee

Under general supervision, conducts routine permitting, inspections, instructions, education, and investigations to ensure compliance with ground water protection safety regulations regarding sanitation and groundwater in order to protect the public health from water and air borne contaminates.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

Inspects for safe sanitation levels and structural criteria; promotes public safety by reducing septic violations. Improves public safety by ensuring proper installation, safe operation of septic systems; and provides public awareness education.

Enforces the laws, rules, codes, and regulations related to general nuisance complaints; investigates and abates nuisance complaints; investigates complaints; issues warnings; assists county Building Inspection, County, and City public works with legal actions in court; provides consultation and training to community groups, schools, etc. on ground water protection issues.

Write septic permits; provides information regarding size required for septic systems; inspects septic installations to ensure correctly installed and operational in accordance with state rules and regulations; reviews proposed subdivision plats to determine whether new proposed lots meet state regulations; inspects repaired septic systems; provides assistance in replacement of old systems; issues recertification letters to ensure future home buyers will not be purchasing homes with septic problems.

Investigates complaints to ensure property owners conform to state laws and not endanger other citizens with septic problems; checks water samples from home-owners wells to ensure drinking water meets safe drinking standards; assists, educates and resolves ground water problems; researches records, maps, public records, and plats to determine soil types and history of problems related to groundwater or other contaminates; performs other related duties as assigned.

Enforces the laws, rules, codes, and regulations related to general nuisance complaints; investigates and abates nuisance complaints; issues warnings and/or citations; assists county, and city public works with legal actions in Court; provides consultation and training to community groups, schools, etc. on ground water protection issues.

Knowledge of federal, state and county laws, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances related to ground water protection and safety.

Knowledge of inspection and investigation of ground water protection and safety issues.

Knowledge of universal ground water protection and safety precautions rules and regulations.

Knowledge of facility and site inspection.

Knowledge of customer service/public relations methods and practices.

Knowledge of computer hardware, software, and peripherals.

Knowledge of record keeping and documentation.

Skill investigating and enforcing ground water protection laws, codes, and ordinances.

Skill reviewing and inspecting facilities, plat, subdivision, construction sites and blueprints for permits.

Skill utilizing customer service / public relations techniques when responding to inquiries and complaints.

Skill negotiating, mediating, and reaching consensus on issues.

Skill inspecting new, existing, or remodeled facilities for compliance with ground water protection and safety regulations.

Skill testing water samples for possible contamination.

Skill utilizing verbal and written communication skills in developing reports and documenting investigations.

Skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Skill effectively communicating in both oral and written form.

Skill ability to make daily route and drive long periods of time.

Skill Functional/Technical competency, technical learning.

Skill customer and personal service, critical thinking, judgement, and decision making, active listening and learning, complex problem solving, multitasking.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, General Science, or other closely related field of study. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Prior to operating a County-owned vehicle, all employees are required to complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided at the department level.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with GIS mapping and tools is preferred.

Experience with scale drawings, scale rulers and site drawings is preferred.

Experience taking water samples is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work requires climbing, bending, stooping, lifting, and carrying testing equipment and nuisance waste weighing up to 25 pounds during the performance of inspection and/or investigation of construction sites, special events, and facilities, with the potential for exposure to air, and water borne pathogens. Gross body coordination, stamina, static strength with ability to navigate rough terrain both on foot and while driving.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Any overtime hours offered in this position are not guaranteed, are an estimate, and are subject to change.

All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in-person and require regular and punctual attendance.

All positions within Hamilton County Government may require work on Holidays or weekends. Additionally, irregular hours and shift work may be required, including possible extension of shift hours, at times with short notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Hamilton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. A copy of Hamilton County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) & Utilization Report is available on the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office home page.

https://www.hamiltontn.gov/Department_EqualEmploymentOpportunityOffice.aspx