ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATOR III

Applications being accepted from: All Persons Interested

PN 26469

Division: Compliance & Operations
Reporting Location: 2100 Travis, Houston, TX 77002
Workdays/Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm (subject to change)

The City of Houston's Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) seeks to create a city in which every resident has an affordable home in a community where they can thrive. Partnering with non-profit, governmental, and local entities, HCDD strives to strengthen Houston's neighborhoods, provide true housing choice and execute the Mayor's vision for One Houston with complete communities throughout. Since Hurricane Harvey, HCDD is managing more than one billion dollars dedicated to helping low and moderate-income families recover.

To achieve this vision, HCDD is seeking an Environmental Investigator III to join its team. In this position, you will conduct environmental reviews for single-family, multi-family, public facility, and Disaster Recovery projects, and all others requested in order to ensure compliance with HUD environmental regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Determine the level of environmental review required for each project.
• Review Phase I Environmental Assessments (ESA) on projects. If Phase I ESA indicates potential contamination, recommend further action (i.e. Phase II ESA, follow up testing).
• Make site visits to projects, in order to perform a field investigation to examine the surrounding environment and level of risk.
• Perform noise evaluations, as well as flood plain, wetland and endangered species status determination for projects.
• Document the key findings of the Phase I (and Phase II and other follow-ups if applicable), the noise evaluation, the maps, and the site visit in a departmental environmental review. Edit and update these reviews as necessary.
• Correspond and answer inquiries as necessary on status of projects.
• Compose and edit correspondence to selected agencies with whom HCDD communicates
• Gather and review maps and take photographs as necessary to be sent to the appropriate agencies.
• Upon departmental request, provide advice and interpretation of updates to federal regulations and public commentary as necessary.
• Responsible for publication of projects that meet the appropriate level of environmental review, and the preparation of documents for HUD (or GLO) review of these projects
• Utilize professional training to interpret HUD and all other applicable regulations and apply them to specific situations.

Essential Attributes

• Passionate: cares about providing public service to the community, aspires to excellent performance.
• Detail Oriented: ability to focus and zero in on relevant information in solving problems and writing reports.
• Motivated: strong personal initiative and drive coupled with a desire to provide excellent service to the Department and its clients even under difficult or trying circumstances.
• Articulate: excellent verbal and written skills.

This is a grant funded position subject to cancellation when funds are depleted and/or contract period ends.

WORKING CONDITIONS
There are occasional discomforts form exposure to moderate heat, cold, moisture/wetness and unpleasant air conditions. This position requires stooping, bending and/or lifting with occasional periods of walking on rough surfaces.

Job Requirements:
Minimum Education:
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health Engineering or a closely related degree.

Minimum Experience:
Two years of pollution/environmental control experience are required.

Minimum License Requirement:
Valid driver's license in compliance with the City of Houston's Administrative Procedure 2-2.Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Prior environmental experience
• HUD environmental certification recipient
• Ability to work with Microsoft office products

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**
SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION Yes
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. This is position is a pay grade 20.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov. If you need special services or accommodations, please call 832.393.6090; TTY 7-1-1.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

An Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.