Environmental Specialist; Waste Regulation Job Apple Valley area,Minnesota USA,Government

Position: Environmental Specialist (Waste Regulation)

General Description

POSTING TYPE:
Open competitive
DEPARTMENT:
Environmental Resources

HOURS:

Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $73,515 - $91,894/year
FULL SALARY RANGE: $73,515- $114,868/year (108 Grade Level)

LOCATION:

Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION:
None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026

What You’ll Do

This Environmental Specialist position in the Waste Regulation Unit will support the County's recycling, sustainability, and environmental initiatives by ensuring compliance with County Ordinances and State rules, conducting hazardous waste and solid waste compliance inspections, reviewing facility and industrial waste disposal applications, issuing licenses and approvals, and implementing enforcement actions as necessary. The person in this position will be responsible for working with the Supervisor and senior staff to plan, implement, and evaluate environmental programs, and will be responsible for assisting in reporting and data analysis.

Who

We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is “Be More” and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values:
Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in the physical or biological sciences (e.g. chemistry, physics, engineering, biology), environmental health, public health, natural resource or waste management, sustainability, environmental planning, or a closely related field.
Associate's Degree AND two (2) years of experience in implementing, coordinating, and evaluating environmental programs.
An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience to equal or exceed four (4) years. Experience must be directly related to implementing, coordinating, and evaluating environmental programs.
Valid driver's license.

Preferred Experience Beyond

Minimum Qualifications

Solid and hazardous waste regulatory programs experience
Conduct inspections and assessments of solid and hazardous waste facilities and generators

Duties & Responsibilities

All the duties listed below are essential functions. These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

Assist in implementing, planning, organizing, coordinating, and evaluating solid and hazardous waste regulation programs and services.

Review and evaluate environmental sampling and site assessments for proper characterization of contaminated soils and other waste for industrial waste disposal.

Conduct inspections and assessments of solid and hazardous waste facilities and generators for the purpose of determining compliance with County Ordinances and State rules relating to waste management.

Implement enforcement actions when noncompliance with County Ordinances and/or State rules is identified.

Develop and execute work plans with measurable outcomes that meet the waste-related objectives in the Dakota County Solid Waste Master Management Plan.

Interpret and explain County Ordinances, policies, and procedures; and Federal/State regulations and rules.

Assist with the development of contract and grant language and implements contract and grant requirements and conditions relating to waste management programs and projects.

Conduct complaint investigations and recommend appropriate follow up regulatory and enforcement actions.

Maintain and manage solid and hazardous waste regulatory program databases, contracts, and files, and keep the supervisor and Department Director apprised of significant information and developments.

Serve as a liaison for the solid and hazardous waste regulatory programs, representing the Department with officials…