AE - Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Under minimal supervision and using advanced knowledge, review, inspect, analyze, and/or investigate development, construction, businesses, remediation plans, and pollution events of advanced scope and complexity to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Job Description:

Purpose:
Under minimal supervision and using advanced knowledge, review, inspect, analyze, and/or investigate development, construction, businesses, remediation plans, and pollution events of advanced scope and complexity to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Coordinates, directs, and/or conducts investigations and surveys related to environmental issues and programs.
  
• Issues directives and performs enforcement actions for non-compliance with code and/or regulations.
  
• Develops sampling protocol and standard operating procedures.
  
• Responds to and directs spills and complaint actions.
  
• Provides technical information and assistance to internal and external customers.
  
• Develops and implements rules, code changes, and training programs.
  
• Implements permitting and registration programs.
  
• Reviews and interprets policies, codes, regulations, ordinances, plans, and proposals for compliance.
  
• Researches, develops, presents, and/or submits incident, inspection, and technical reports/cases to appropriate agency/personnel.
  
• Participates in and/or leads City-wide initiatives, task forces, and committees.
  
• Resolves appeal of permit denials.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
May provide leadership, guidance, and technical support to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essentialfunctions of the job can be performed.
  
• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
  
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
  
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to train others.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Science, Life Science, Natural Science, or related field, plus six (6) years of relevant experience.
  
• Graduation with a master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience
  
• One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:
May require a valid State of Texas Class C Driver License and the ability to meet driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 40hr HAZWOPER and DOT certified (able to gain certification within 6 months of hire).
  
• Experience working in the field of environmental regulatory compliance, including implementing and enforcing federal, state and local codes and regulations.
  
• On-Call (24/7) experience and knowledge relevant to environmental emergency response field operations.
  
• Able to work outdoors, lift 50lbs, operate large vehicles, forklifts and overhead cranes.
  
• Competent with software applications and or data management systems (eg Microsoft Office, Teams, SharePoint, Maximo, Cority, Adobe) and proficient with tech tools/hardware (laptop, tablet, smartphone).
  
• Able to demonstrate confident oral and written communications skills such as active listening, deescalation tactics, conflict resolution, issuing and following specific directives/instructions, delivering presentations and writing technical reports.
  

Notes to Candidate:

The primary duties will include a variety of environmental support tasks, such as responding to time sensitive events, transporting and processing oil filled electrical equipment, various environmental inspections, and collecting oil samples to categorize the equipment for disposal or recycle.

The employee will execute environmental actions and job tasks necessary to mitigate spills that pose an environmental threat and assist with environmental programs such as regulated waste, spills, site remediations, SPCC inspections and storm water quality inspections. This position will require the employee to be eligible to drive City vehicles and cover on-call duties. On-call responsibilities require a response time to be within one hour of the time notified 24/7. The expected on-call rotation will be one week (7 days) every 6th calendar week, however this can change based on work group needs.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
  
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on application.
  
• When completing the City of Austin employment application, the work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fi elds that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a valid State of Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Good Standing Employees:
Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the department/division that the position resides in and who meet the minimum, and all of the preferred qualifications (if any) of the position will be included in the initial interview. Department/division employee must remain in Good Standing through the Top Candidate Selection phase at which time the Good Standing status will be re-verified.

Assessments:
Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

Pay Range: Commensurate

Location/Work Hours: 2412 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas.
Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This position will require the person to be able to cover On-Call duties in which you will be required to respond to an event and be on-site within one hour from the time notified 24/7.

Work Schedule:

• This position is categorized as Essential Personnel with the City of Austin. Essential staff are required to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Essential employees ensure the continuance of key operations for the City of Austin.
  
• Work hours may include after hours, holidays, and weekends.
  
• Shifts may change according to departmental needs.
  
• Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.
  

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-02-06

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• City of Austin

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