Environmental Services Manager

Job Summary

Performs professional planning, administrative, and supervisory duties managing the activities of the Environmental Services Department. Responsible for the formulation and development of comprehensive plans and ordinances regulating natural resources, environmental health, water resources, and land use. Responsible for the management of solid, septic, and hazardous waste programs and services mandated or otherwise established by the County Board. Responsible for overseeing grant writing and grant administration; annual strategic plans and budget, and implementing the plans and budgets in Environmental Services. This position is designated as the Board's Agents Under the Local Public Health Act pursuant to MN Stat. 145A.04, subd. 2, with respect to environmental health issues.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Coordinates with multiple Boards, Commissions, and regulatory agencies in executing Natural Resource and Environmental Health plans, budgets, and work tasks.

• Oversees the planning and implementation of natural resource, watershed, solid, septic, and hazardous waste programs and services that are mandated by state laws and establishes other programs and services as needed and approved by the County Board in accordance with adopted plans. Ensures funding for solid, septic, and hazardous waste programs and services.

• Develops procedures and manages staff to ensure uniformity of environmental, zoning, and waste-code enforcement.

• Supervises Environmental Services staff; including, hiring, planning and the direction of work, coaching, mentoring, and performance-related activities.

• Researches, prepares, oversees, tracks, and reports on Environmental Services budget, grants, and project management.

• Develops working relationships with cities and townships in the watershed organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies as needed to efficiently administer the watershed organizations; provides professional guidance to townships, watershed organizations, local, state, and federal agencies in watershed and natural resource corridor preservation and management.

• Leads and oversees planning and visioning processes and uses creativity to inspire change in the way Environmental Service issues are managed.

• Leads planning and implementation of watershed management efforts on behalf of the county. This includes managing county-based WMOs (i.e. Scott WMO and Vermillion River Watershed JPOP), and coordination with two watershed districts in the county, and management of the county's contract for services with the Scott Soil and Water Conservation District.

• Establishes and maintains hazardous and solid waste regulatory programs in accordance with state laws and consistent with enforcement levels, license fees, and ordinances in the other counties. Requires ongoing coordination with others.

• Establishes priorities for routine inspections and pursuit of new business generators to ensure appropriate and effective deployment of limited staff resources.

• Establishes and maintains a regulatory program for individual and small community sewage treatment systems (ISTS/CSTS). Maintains and updates a county ordinance to reflect state rules. Establishes, evaluates, and modifies a permit fee schedule to cover all related program costs. Coordinates program with municipalities as program encompasses the entire county.

• Oversees the operation of the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Reviews the operational needs and coordinates adjustments to staffing, facility functionality, and equipment resources. Manages the operation as a separately funded enterprise and ensures appropriate funding through fees, state funds, and special property assessment.

• Collaborates with others to enforce and/or update the County's Ground Water Management Plan. Ensures provisions are implemented into other plans, understood, and applied by local jurisdictions and the county.

• Serves as the technical expert and lead on studies, reports, and projects related to water and natural resource and environmental health issues and functions; recommends policies, processes, and solutions to address findings.

• Reviews proposed legislation and need for new legislation that could impact the programs within the scope of environmental services and makes recommendations to the county's legislative committee for consideration.

• Ensures program services are delivered in a cost-effective and timely manner; troubleshoots problems in coordination with supervisor, manager, and County Attorney's Office as necessary.

• Oversees and coordinates grants and dedicated funds related to environmental service programs.

• Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

• Must work the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Requires equivalency of a bachelor's degree in water or Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, or Public Administration, or a related field (master's degree preferred) and seven years of experience in natural resource-based planning, program development, or project management, preferably in a watershed organization, including a minimum of two years supervisory experience. The incumbent shall possess a valid driver's license and provide a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Public speaking and group facilitation, budgeting and communication experience with elected and appointed officials desirable.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The employee is under general supervision and direction of the Planning & Resource Management Director and reports on matters of significant importance and those needing policy decisions. The employee exercises independent judgment in providing advice and assistance to subordinates and the public in accordance with established practices and departmental policies. Additional guidance and controls are imposed through the application of provisions found in federal and dtate laws and ordinances covering water resources, planning and zoning and land development activities. Work is reviewed for adherence to policy and results achieved.

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Knowledge of the principles, legal framework, practices, and techniques of watershed planning and administration, environmental health, engineering, organizational analysis, and public involvement processes as well as natural resource programs.

Knowledge of soils, watershed science, and natural resources plans related to urban and rural land use environments.

Knowledge of best management practices for storm water management and erosion and sediment control.

Knowledge of parks, trails, and open space programs helpful.

Knowledge of data analysis, statistics, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other specialized software applications for watershed and natural resource management.

Abilities – Ability to communicate via verbal, electronic, and written methods, including web-based technical information management; also one-to-one and multifaceted group communications.

Ability to establish and maintain excellent cooperative working relationships with the public, county agencies, other governmental agencies, and the community in general related to watershed management and natural resources.

Ability to develop work plans, organize work activities effectively and prioritize tasks in a fast-growing county with high demands for information and response to issues.

Ability to identify and successfully pursue grant proposals for program activities.

Ability to analyze and synthesize electronic modeling and mapping data for program development.

Ability to manage conflict between competing interests for natural resources in a public arena.

Ability to provide effective leadership, promote teamwork, supervise, and motivate staff.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires field work, typically in a watershed/natural resource oriented setting; and inside work, typically in an office setting. One may be exposed to site hazards such as moving equipment; dust; bugs or animals; noxious plants; climate/weather conditions such as wind, heat cold; and treacherous surfaces when traversing uneven terrain on such sites.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.    

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.