Stormwater Inspector

Nature of Work

Are you interested in using your expertise in stormwater systems and customer service to assist local property owners in minimizing pollution? Do you enjoy tackling challenges and supporting the community in their efforts to reduce the impacts of their development? Apply to join the Stormwater team with the City of Bellingham Public Works Natural Resources division.

Performs field inspections of privately owned stormwater systems to ensure compliance with applicable local, state and federal regulations, statutes, codes and permits. Responds to complaints and reports of stormwater violations such as illicit discharges, work without permits and work in critical areas. Provides information and technical assistance to property owners, contractors and property management firms regarding stormwater systems and related regulations, statutes, codes and permit requirements.

This position will start at Step 1 ($32.32 / hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The 2025 full hourly range for this position is $32.32 - $39.52. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:
 

• Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
• Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Closing Date/Time: Monday, November 25, 2024, 4:30 PM Pacific Time 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

Plans and conducts inspections of privately owned and maintained stormwater systems. Evaluates stormwater system performance to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations, statutes, codes, permits and engineering standards. Identifies maintenance needs or corrective action, provides notice to property owner of non-compliance as needed and follows up to ensure resolution.

Maintains SSWU databases and records for compliance with the City’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems requirements and for other uses.

Consults with City and private engineers to verify cause when stormwater systems are determined to be non-compliant following construction.

Provides information and technical assistance; collects and analyzes data from private stormwater facility files and the City's Geographical Information System and information from Department of Ecology's Stormwater Management Manual to provide information regarding maintenance standards and corrective measures to property owners, contractors, property management firms and others.

Responds to stormwater complaints and violations submitted through the Stormwater Hotline and the Department of Ecology Emergency Response Tracking System (ERTS). Provides guidance and recommends a course of action to the responsible party related to stormwater resources and critical areas. Provides information to other City departments and county, state and federal agencies as needed and completes reports.

Conducts water quality sampling, monitoring and testing using standard methods and practices. Coordinates stormwater related water quality testing with City and private laboratories.

Coordinates with Public Works, City Code Enforcement, Planning and Community Development and Legal staff and other state and federal agencies to provide documentation for enforcement actions as needed.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

Performs other duties within the scope of the classification, as assigned.

Perform inspection services for the Inspection section of Public Works, as assigned.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an office setting and outdoors, exposing employee to inclement weather, noise, fumes, construction environments, slippery or uneven surfaces and traffic hazards. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow standard safety practices.

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:

Frequently required to walk over uneven terrain;

Frequently lift objects up to 80 pounds, such as manhole covers and stormwater grates;

Frequently communicate verbally;

Frequently operate a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page;

Occasionally Squat, crawl, stoop and bend in close spaces to perform inspections

Correctible visual acuity, hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a motor vehicle.

Experience and Training

Associate's degree in engineering or related field and two years of technical experience in engineering inspection. OR

One year of vocational training in engineering technology and three years of technical experience in engineering inspection.

Experience in a stormwater related field preferred.

Additional coursework or experience in geographic information systems (GIS) preferred.

An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

Necessary Special Requirements

Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted at time of hire.

Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) certification required within six months of hire.

Selection Process

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
 
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.
 
Application Review Process:

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around November 26, 2024.
2. Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicant status will be updated on or around December 11, 2024.
3. The top eight (8) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of December 15, 2024.
4. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Supplemental Question Review (40%) and Oral Board Interview (60%). Candidates must score a minimum of 60% on the Oral Board Interview to be placed on the eligibility register.

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.
 
This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Public Works. This position is represented by a union.  
 
If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (Download PDF reader) and upload it to your application with your DD214.
 
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
 
 Fair Hiring Practices
 

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.