Environmental Resources Specialist; Temporary

Position Summary

The current vacancies are in the Public Works department.

Ramsey County is now recruiting for two temporary seasonal Environmental Resource Specialist positions. Both positions will work within the Environmental Services Division of the Public Works Department. One position focuses on Water Quality and the other on Environmental Maintenance and Inspections. Key tasks for each position are listed below.

• Water Quality:
  Obtain water samples from 29 lakes on a rotating basis to determine water quality through laboratory analysis of chemical and biological properties such as turbidity, phosphorous, nitrogen, chloride, and chlorophyll
  
  A. Utilize a YSI multiparameter sonde to profile pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and temperature of lakes. Other tasks include fish surveys, zooplankton analysis, phytoplankton analysis,
  
  E. coli testing of beaches, public outreach, macrophyte surveys; and document results for use in water quality improvement activities.
• Organize annual weed and algae control programs by corresponding with lake improvement associations, assessing their responses and monitoring the work of contractors hired to perform weed control activities.

Environmental Maintenance and Inspections:

• Perform soil testing including mechanical and qualitative analysis and identification of hydric soils. Conduct field inspections of engineering projects to document adherence to environmental protection requirements.
• Investigate and initiate remediation of spills or contamination of county properties in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Conduct periodic inspection of county facilities and infrastructure such as lake outlets, storm sewer, stormwater treatment systems, and erosion control projects; and prepare lists of required maintenance materials and actions.
• Provide GIS services including coordinating, initiating, and implementing programs/services, planning and budgeting conservation activities, writing grants/securing funding, providing reports, updates, and outcomes, providing consultation, and other tasks as assigned.
• Interpret data, create and maintain GIS databases and maps, and use GIS software to analyze spatial and non-spatial information.
• Inspect county properties for diseased or hazardous trees, estimate volume of trees to be removed, research developments in tree management, prepare specifications for hiring contractors to perform trimming or removal work, prepare requests for funding, review contractors' work, drafts annual report, and monitor expenditures.
• Tree inspector license and/or experience identifying and assessing trees desired. Possess a working knowledge of native and invasive species endemic to the Upper Midwest.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to the Job Description s page. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENT:

Water Quality

Environmental Maintenance