Deputy Director - Environmental in Merrimack, New Hampshire at Town of Merrimack

Under general supervision of the Public Works Director, perform variety of technical tasks related to regulatory compliance, Federal, State, and Local permitting, program development and compliance program implementation for wastewater, storm water, and other environmental programs. Incumbent will plan, organize and direct the activities of Regulatory Compliance within the Public Works Department; coordinate activities within departmental divisions and for other departments; and will provide highly responsible technical support to the Public Works Director. Utilizes logic and reasoning to understand, analyze and evaluate complex situations and research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to compliance issues.

Supervision Received
Works under the general supervision of the Director of Public Works, who provides policy guidance, assigns areas of responsibility and evaluates performance in terms of effectiveness of services provided by the Department. Extensive leeway is granted to perform duties independently, using own judgment as to departmental project priorities and use of assigned staff. Consults with supervisor on broad policy matters, highly problematic situations, planning of major projects or issues concerning other departments.

Supervision Exercised
Supervises assigned staff, including Town Engineer and/or Civil Engineer, as well as Department staff when assigned to capital projects. Supervises Department in the absence of the Public Works Director. Supervise assigned engineering interns and manages consultant contracts.

1. Understands and implements the Town’s vision for environmental efforts and sustainable operations.
2. Participates with the Public Works Director and other division managers in the planning, development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures for the department.
3. Conducts environmental assessments and compliance evaluations. Completes sampling and other field related activities as needed.
4. Responsible for identifying auditing priorities and delegating auditing responsibilities, generating reports and communicating audit findings to senior management, reviewing and coordinating corrective or preventative action planning, and monitoring the status of actions.
5. Manages the Town’s EPA Stormwater Phase II Permit (MS-4) and related required activities; prepares plans, permits, and reports for MS-4.
6. Prepares the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater discharge permit application for the Wastewater Treatment Facility.
7. Represents the department with regard to permitting and issues concerning water, wastewater, MS-4 stormwater, industrial pretreatment, cross-connection control programs, Sanitary Sewer Management Program elements, and any other water/air/wastewater quality initiatives implemented by the department.
8. Supports the Town’s Environmental Compliance Programs and processes for the facility/operating organization in accordance with Federal, State and Local regulatory requirements, Town policies, and procedures.
9. Reviews Town Ordinances to ensure compliance with permits and/or programs. Develops or revises ordinances for review, as needed.
10. Researches/reviews regulations and interacts with a variety of state and federal regulatory agencies, academic institutions or other organizations that may provide information, research, or guidance for the program development and implementation. Provides analysis and guidance on current or proposed regulations including emerging regulations in related environmental areas.
11. Serves as a liaison with other Town departments, divisions and outside agencies on regulatory matters.
12. Assists with property acquisition, condemnation or relocation efforts in response to environmental concerns; conducts illicit discharge investigations and recommends and initiates appropriate enforcement.
13. Provides and/or coordinates delivery of technical direction, training, and information to staff to ensure that Town’s compliance programs meet all requirements specified in environmental programs, policies and permits, and federal and state regulations.
14. Educates and provides public outreach and response to inquiries from citizens, community and elected officials and other governmental agencies; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints; investigates potential environmental issues and other customer complaints; recommends and implements corrective action.
15. Represents the Town on the Regional Stormwater Coalition; participates in a variety of advisory and technical committees; attends and participates in meetings of professional organizations.
16. Prepares for and participates in public presentations for the Council, and Town Meeting, etc.
17. Works on special projects as assigned by the Town Manager.
18. Manages and participates in the development and administration of the assigned program budgets; directs the forecast of funds needed for additional staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures related to assigned programs; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
19. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Director.

Comprehensive knowledge of professional environmental management and the scientific principles involved with human/environmental interactions that affect land, water and air to include: understanding of various complex assessments and evaluations; development and implementation technology tools in support of the MS4 permit programs; application of pollution prevention fundamentals, and strong knowledge of federal, state and local environmental regulations. High level of proficiency with business software such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, and other data analytics with staff.

Knowledge of principles of project and program management, including scheduling, prioritizing and long-range planning and advanced principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.

Ability to represent the Department/Town on permitting matters, make well informed decisions while consensus building, mitigate conflicts and balance interests of multiple stakeholders with Town interests; ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work and to evaluate alternative solutions and develop and present recommendations; use initiative and exercise sound judgment; meet the physical requirements necessary to perform required duties in a safe and effective manner for self and others; identify with department and Town goals and objectives and support Town priorities and needs.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a scientific or engineering discipline such as chemistry, biology, environmental science, civil or sanitary engineering or closely related field. Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience, in permitting, monitoring and environmental compliance in water and/or wastewater system; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills and abilities.