Senior Water Quality Specialist (Grade 26)
Montgomery County Government
Department of Environmental Protection
Rockville, Maryland

Salary Range: $66,481 – $110,359

The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County’s air, water and land in a sustainable way while fostering smart growth, a thriving economy and healthy communities.

The successful candidate will serve as the Senior Water Quality Specialist in the Stream Monitoring Section of the Division of Watershed Management Operations, Department of Environmental Protection. The position will be responsible for managing the Countywide stream monitoring, Special Protection Area (SPA), Restoration, and Special Project monitoring programs, including coordination of all elements needed to meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and supervision of staff for associated monitoring, data analysis, and report preparation. This position is the senior technical lead for stream and riparian ecology, wetlands, aquatic habitats, stream water quality, and water resource monitoring within the department.

This work requires the ability to design and implement monitoring programs to meet regulatory and local program requirements; to direct and supervise employees; to manage contracts for County monitoring programs; to routinely present monitoring results to technical and non-technical audiences; and to determine and report the County’s progress in stream resource improvement and protection.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Management of the Countywide stream monitoring and SPA monitoring program;
• Management of the stream restoration project monitoring;
• Direct supervision of five County staff;
• Management for all contracts as necessary to support the County’s monitoring programs;
• Presenting County stream monitoring results and issues to local, state, and federal agencies, elected officials, and the general public; and
• Lead for coordination on stream monitoring work program elements with other agencies and volunteer groups.

The successful individual filling this position is experienced in current techniques for stream resource condition monitoring, including benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, other aquatic organisms, hydrology, physical habitat, water chemistry, and stream geomorphology. They are experienced with using water chemistry monitoring data for evaluating the effectiveness of stormwater best management practices, applying latest techniques in data management and data analysis (i.e., ArcGIS) and preparing written and oral reports on monitoring results for both technical and non-technical audiences. The successful individual is skilled at planning and directing work programs and staff to assure timely completion of monitoring and reporting to meet regulatory requirements and local programmatic goals, and for coordinating as needed on monitoring issues with other county agencies, outside county agencies and other interest groups, elected officials, and members of the general public.

The work requires the employee to visit sites, and attend meetings or perform work at locations outside of the office. The work is performed in an office environment and at locations outside of the office that include independently conducting field work/investigations in environmental conditions that present moderate discomfort and risks.

The position requires the incumbent to perform work along stream banks and in streams and ponds, which may involve deep or swiftly moving water. Outdoor work requires light physical effort such as walking over rough, uneven, slippery and rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping stretching or reaching; or occasional lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.

The incumbent for this position must attend the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) spring and summer training within the first 12 months, and must earn certification for benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and fish crew leader. The incumbent to the position must maintain the certification. Possession of the MBSS fish taxonomy certification is preferred, but not required.

This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a County vehicle to attend meetings, conduct site visits for audits/inspections/investigations, and/or observing or inspecting construction, and performing other work at locations outside the office.

Occasional weekend and/or evening work may be required.

As a manager/supervisor of unionized employees, this position has a responsibility for fostering a positive labor relations environment based on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Five (5) years of experience in stream water sampling and data analysis including water chemistry, flow and toxics data for baseflow and storm flow conditions; and bioassessment protocols for streams and rivers (particularly fish and macroinvertebrates) and assessment of stream habitat conditions; at least one year of which was in a lead worker or supervisory capacity.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in biology, aquatic ecology, limnology, natural resources management, environmental science or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class “C” (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant’s state of residence when required for job-related duties.

Montgomery County Government offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

To view the complete job announcement and to apply, please visit our website at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/Recruitment/MCGCareers.html
click on the “Search Jobs” tab, and then on the Job Search link https://tinyurl.com/MCGJobSearch.  Read the full job description under the “General Professional” Job Category.  Interested candidates must create an online account in order to apply.

The requisition number is IRC32678

This Recruitment Closes August 8, 2018

All resume submissions must address the preferred criteria for the position,
which are listed in the full advertisement, preferably in a separate section of the resume.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Resume Preparation Tips
listed under the “How to Apply” tab on the Office of Human Resource’s MCG Careers webpage.

EOE. M/F/H.