Environmental Services Specialist

Position Overview

This position is open to BOTH In Training or Non In Training applicants for consideration.

The Environmental Services Specialist in Training is an entry‑level professional/technical position with accountability for the administration of a broad range of land use programs and regulations. The training assignment provides the opportunity to acquire professional certification and build expertise in a developmental role that is subject to regular review and oversight. Eligibility for progression to the Environmental Specialist position occurs when there is demonstrated mastery of the key accountabilities, sustained satisfactory performance of one or more years and attainment of minimum qualifications as outlined in the job description.

The position is highly engaged with property owners, special interest groups, townships and other stakeholders on matters related to land use planning and regulation.

The following program areas are representative of accountabilities that may be assigned to an Environmental Specialist in Training.

• Land Use Permitting: Participates with others in conducting inspections of properties within the county for all regulated land use activities including site visits in support of the County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment. In conjunction with site visits and consultation with applicants as appropriate, participates in the approval or denying of land use applications submitted to the county pursuant to the county's prescribed regulatory authority.
  
  Assists in resolving land use complaints through direct communication with complainant, inspection of the property, and communication with the involved property owner.
• Water & Wetland Protection: Participates with others in making technical findings and recommendations on questions of wetland functions and the resulting public values, location, size, and type for replacement plans, exemptions, no‑loss, wetland boundary or type determinations, and sequencing requests. Review replacement plans, exemptions, no‑loss, wetland banking, wetland boundary / type proposals, and recommend either approval, approval with conditions, or denial.
  
  Provide technical guidance regarding the Wetland Conservation Act to the general public. Assess water resources and identify needs and strategies for addressing those needs through the Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan. Develop and implement the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan annually. Provide technical assistance to citizens, developers, and contractors in erosion/sediment control techniques and storm water best management practices.
• Technology: Utilize a wide range of technology associated with land management, including but not limited to GIS, GPS, aerial photography, and other applications as needed to manage forest resources and land related assets. Works to develop proficiency in technological skills with personal computer, handheld data collectors, and software applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Arc View, ArcGIS, and others essential to the performance of work assignments.
  
  Applies new technologies utilizing GIS and field applications to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Customer Service: Participates with others in responding to customer inquiries providing information and assistance relating to department programs and services in a professional and timely manner to ensure a high service environment.
• Collaboration and Coordination with Related Agencies: Participates with others in the collaboration and coordination of activities as necessary to effectively fulfill assigned duties including other county departments and related outside agencies such as the Soil and Water Conservation District, Department of Natural Resources, municipalities and townships within the county, other counties and state and federal agencies as needed.
• Policy Initiatives: Recommends policy initiatives to improve customer service, promote wise land use practices, and enhance protection of natural resources, consistent with the County's comprehensive plan, land use ordinance, forest resources plan, water plan, and applicable state rules, plans,…