Stormwater Program Coordinator at City of Lake Forest Park – Lake Forest Park, Washington

Under general supervision of the Senior Project Manager, coordinates the City’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater permit and Stormwater Management Programs (SWMP). Develop, implement, evaluate, support and report on multiple aspects of permit areas, including: stormwater and watershed planning and prioritization; public involvement and participation; public education and outreach; illicit discharge detection and elimination; controlling runoff from new development, redevelopment, and construction sites; pollution prevention; operation and maintenance for municipal operations; local source control and annual reporting requirements.

Performing highly technical professional work requiring significant interaction with other City departments and divisions, local jurisdictions and state agencies. Additional responsibilities include water quality monitoring, performing technical inspections of facilities to ensure compliance with the NPDES permit, and reviewing, updating and monitoring operations and maintenance of the City’s stormwater management facilities. Ensures coordination within and between the City's Surface and Stormwater Management programs to protect and restore the physical, chemical, and biotic integrity of the water resources, promote ecologically sound stormwater practices, and foster healthy watershed stewardship.

Duties require strong customer services skills and the ability to be extremely organized to meet deadlines. Independent judgment, collaboration, and strong attention to detail are required to plan, prioritize, organize, and complete a diversified workload in an independent and timely manner with minimal supervision.

This is a non-exempt position, eligible for overtime and benefits. The City provides benefit eligible employees the following: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), employee assistance program (EAP), HRA/HSA/FSA, enrollment in Washington State's DRS PERS plan, 401(a) retirement plan, and an optional 457 deferred compensation plan (DCP).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates, implements, supports, tracks, evaluates, inspects and reports on the City's NDPES Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. Develops, recommends, plans and implements related stormwater management programs and compliance activities including, but not limited to, permit renewal, annual reporting requirements and plan updates to ensure permit requirements are met. Research, analyze, interpret, and report data for program development, project implementation, effectiveness monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Interprets new permit requirements, plans and develops programming and standards and coordinates with other City employees, departments, divisions, outside agencies and adjacent jurisdictions to successfully comply with the permit.
• Serves as project lead on stormwater management compliance projects. Research, develop, design, monitor and coordinate project priorities, timelines and deliverables. Provides tracking of the various elements of projects. Coordinates development and review of contracted work by preparing requests for proposals, bids, work orders and contracts. Troubleshoots with other City departments and contractors to revise project plans and timelines when issues arise. Refers more complex project staffing and budgetary issues to management staff.
• Responds to internal and external inquiries related to the City’s stormwater management program and NPDES permit.
• Develops and maintains record keeping systems and databases. Creates customized reports from various databases and applications using multiple delivery methods.
• Prepares grant applications and participates in administration related to water quality and environmental conservation including, but not limited to, reimbursement requests and periodic progress reporting as assigned.
• Establish effective working relationships with other City departments and divisions, local jurisdictions, and state agencies to ensure the City meets regulatory requirements under the NPDES permit.
• Attend meetings, seminars and training sessions to maintain current knowledge of environmental regulations, and NPDES permit requirements and participate in regional NPDES coordination meetings.
• Provide technical expertise and respond to questions; resolve conflicts and interpret various codes and ordinances; develop and revise departmental procedures as needed.
• Ensures that the City is complying with the Department of Ecology NPDES permit; implementation of the City’s NPDES Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit and associated record keeping.
• Develop and maintain plans, policies and procedures for storm water activities in regard to regulatory agencies and changes in technology, including detention standards, water quality requirements, construction materials and design modifications.
• Develop and manage Best Management Programs (“BMP’s”) to improve water quality; track training records related to BMP.
• Coordinate spill response, spill investigation, spill clean-up and any enforcement actions with public works personnel as necessary; develop and implement an Illicit Discharge program.
• Plan and organize water quality activities of the Storm Water Program; assist the Public Works staff in the operation and maintenance of the City’s storm water conveyance system; assist with private development design review, perform site inspections and implement water quality programs related to public and private ponds, storm water storage facilities and right-of-way systems.
• Develop specifications for contracted services; coordinate service contracts for design, construction and maintenance of surface water facilities; assure compliance with cost and timelines and appropriate federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
• May assist with the review of storm drainage collection and conveyance systems within new single-family, multi-family and commercial development projects.
• Establish and maintain a private storm water detention facilities annual inspection program.
• Evaluate and propose new and amended City Ordinances related to the management of storm water systems.
• Assist in developing and monitoring surface water utility budget, assure proper resources are available to fund capital improvement projects, maintenance, inspection, water quality and contracted services.
• Identify necessary storm water improvements and assist in the development of projects to correct identified deficiencies and the development of the 6-year CIP.
• Develops, coordinates and conducts presentations and trainings to City employees, outside agencies and interest groups, regional NPDES coordinator groups in support of stormwater management program and NPDES permit needs. Provides support to management for presentations to City Council; may conduct presentations as assigned.

Education and Training:

Required:

• Two years of college level course work in environmental science, biology, chemistry, low impact development stormwater management, geographic information system, computer aided drafting, or related field AND at least two years experience in a stormwater management program or similar, including experience in reporting and record keeping OR equivalent education/experience.
• Ability to obtain Stormwater Management and Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) certificates within six months from hire date.

• Valid Washington State driver’s license by date of hire.
• Ability to maintain insurability under City insurance to operate department vehicle.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, Engineering or related field.
• Experience in record keeping, data analysis, and data reporting.
• Working knowledge of the federal Clean Water Act, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater permit (NPDES permit), and the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Proficient knowledge of computers and applicable computer software applications, including specific knowledge of Adobe, Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Working knowledge of modern administrative office procedures, methods, and equipment.
• Business letter writing and basic report preparation with proficient spelling and grammatical skills.
• Basic budgeting and mathematical principles.

Skill in:

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail, working in a busy and sometimes stressful environment and changing priorities.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Proficient skill and ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Ability to:

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism.
• Report for scheduled work with regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Maintain and establish effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees, customers and vendors and to work effectively in a team environment.
• Work independently with a high degree of reliability, accuracy, and productivity.
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner as defined by City policy and maintain confidentiality.
• Respond timely to customer inquiries, complaints, concerns and needs and provide excellent customer service.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public, both orally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Prioritize multiple projects; anticipate needs and work effectively within deadlines while subject to frequent interruptions.
• Understand, interpret, and apply documents such as operating instructions, applicable policies, procedures and governmental regulations.
• Adapt to changes in the work environment and to shifts in organizational philosophy and expectations.
• Communicate in English clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The position works in a standard office environment; field inspections are performed in all weather conditions. Conditions at work sites may include falling objects, loose footings, loud noises, construction equipment, and working in right-of-way, traffic, or roadways. Evening and weekend work may be necessary on occasion. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.