Stormwater Monitoring Technician

Stormwater Monitoring Technician

Make an Impact:
Join our team and help us monitor our local streams and rivers!

Stormwater is generated when rain falls in urban areas and lands on hardened surfaces such as streets, parking lots, and rooftops. Instead of soaking into the ground, this stormwater runs off these surfaces, carrying pollutants with it, and is conveyed to the nearest stream through the piped stormwater system.

As a Stormwater Monitoring Technician, your hands-on work collecting accurate water quality and flow data is essential to protecting Salem's waterways. The flow data you collect also plays a critical role in the City's flood warning system, helping to provide timely information that protects lives and property during heavy rain events. The information you gather helps the City track stormwater pollution, comply with environmental regulations, and make informed decisions to safeguard the community's health and natural resources.

Your efforts will directly support the preservation of clean water, thriving ecosystems, and a safer environment for all residents to enjoy.

Learn and Grow:
Be part of the Stormwater Quality Monitoring team that fulfills the monitoring requirements of the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. In this role, you will gain valuable hands-on experience collecting environmental data and maintaining specialized monitoring equipment. You will develop practical skills in water quality sample collection, operating multi-parameter datasondes, surveying equipment, specialized flow measurement tools, and maintaining and operating water quality, stream gauging and rain gauging stations.

This position offers ongoing opportunities to learn about stormwater management, water quality standards, environmental regulations, and the operation of a flood warning system. You will work alongside experienced professionals who will support your growth and help you build expertise in field monitoring techniques and equipment troubleshooting.

What you will do?

Work as an important part of the stormwater monitoring workgroup to fulfill the requirements of the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, NPDES Industrial Stormwater (1200-Z) monitoring requirements, and assist in the maintenance of the City's flood warning system. The monitoring workgroup is responsible for all stormwater monitoring, which includes a continuous water quality and quantity program, instream storm and structural stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) monitoring program, monthly grab sampling program, dry weather outfall monitoring program, and other monitoring as needed.

Your duties will include sample collection, taking field measurements, conducting streamflow discharge measurements, maintaining monitoring and rain gauge equipment, managing vegetation around monitoring locations, and troubleshooting any equipment issues.

Additional Information on

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist the Stormwater Monitoring team, including another Technician and two Analysts, in maintaining all continuous instream water quality monitoring and stream gaging stations.
• Maintain and calibrate rain gauge stations throughout the City and upper watershed.
• Collect water quality samples during rain events and scheduled monitoring periods.
• Conduct instream discharge (streamflow) measurements using specialized flow measurement equipment.
• Complete routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of monitoring equipment, including—but not limited to—sensors, flow monitors, cell and radio modems, data loggers, and solar power systems.
• Manage vegetation and site cleanliness to maintain safe access around monitoring locations, ensuring equipment functionality and site safety.
• Assist with data collection for the City's flood warning system to support timely flood response.
• Work outdoors in various weather conditions, including inclement weather, and in potentially challenging environments such as streams and roadways, while adhering to strict safety protocols.
• Perform occasional overtime work as required for sampling during rain events or other monitoring needs.
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