General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
HOURS: Full-time
HIRING RANGE: $65,514 - 73,703/year ( 108 grade)
SALARY RANGE: $65,514 - 102,365/year
LOCATION: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023

What You'll Do
This Environmental Specialist position in the Environmental Initiatives Unit of the Environmental Resources Department will be responsible to assist and lead the development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of environmental projects, programs and services for waste management. This position will be responsible for working on a variety of initiatives that support the Dakota County Solid Waste Master Plan (Solid Waste Plan) through government and private-sector partnerships with a focus on implementing recycling and organics diversion programs, including administering grant programs and providing technical assistance to waste generators.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is “Be More” and we strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in the physical or biological sciences (e.g. chemistry, physics, engineering, biology), environmental health, public health, natural resource or waste management, sustainability, environmental planning, or a closely related field.

OR

• Associate's Degree AND two (2) years of experience in implementing, coordinating, and evaluating environmental programs.

OR

• An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience implementing, coordinating, and evaluating environmental programs totaling 4 or more years.

AND

• Valid driver's license.

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.

• Develop, review, track and provide justified recommendations for state/regional policy, plans, laws, rules and administrative orders affecting waste management.

• Research and develop policy, goals, objectives, and strategies for consideration to support the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan and County Solid Waste Plan development..

• Participate in stakeholder groups for County Solid Waste Plan development and implementation.

• Participate in state and regional solid waste management committees.

• Conduct research and develop best practices recommendations for solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, organics, and waste processing projects/programs and services.

• Present project/program recommendations to project partners, industry, county peers, county management, elected and appointed officials for integration into annual budgets and project/program development.

• Design, implement and evaluate waste reduction, reuse recycling and landfill abatement programs, projects and services, including grant programs. Conduct continuous improvement efforts for assigned programs, projects and services.

• Develop and manage requests for proposals, quotes, contracts and purchase requests to implement the Solid Waste Plan.

• Coordinate, develop, and maintain partnerships with citizens, communities, businesses, organizations, project partners and governmental agencies to implement the Solid Waste Plan, programs, projects and services.

• Develop, implement and manage an annual waste management communications plan for programs and projects.

• Coordinate with lead staff to support implementation of County’s Solid Waste Ordinance (110) generator requirements in solid waste abatement projects, programs and services.

• Develop waste management education print materials, displays, tours, events, website information, and presentations to promote proper waste management practices for residents and businesses.

• Develop and provide technical assistance and information to implement best practices for waste management to project/program partners, including schools, cities, townships, and organizations, and to residents and businesses.

• Maintain and manage program databases, contracts, and files.

• Gather and analyze data to modify policy, develop implementation strategies, and to prepare reports, letters, graphs, and charts for the annual state grant, and Solid Waste Plan performance measurement reporting.

• Interpret and explain county ordinances, policy, best practices, and federal/state laws and rules related to waste management to all stakeholders.

All the duties listed above are essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Working knowledge of environmental protection programs and services, current trends and resources, and the demonstrated ability and skill to apply this knowledge.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, and regulations, as well as regulatory processes.
• Knowledge of government functions and organizations affecting county government.
• Demonstrated project management skills, particularly as they may relate to environmental protection programs and initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in addressing and coordinating the resolution of complex environmental issues, and the ability to work independent of direct supervision to resolve complex environmental issues.
• Ability to conduct research, plan projects, and use statistical analysis.
• Skill in analyzing, interpreting, and presenting technical data.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, representatives of government and the private sector, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively participate in multi-disciplinary teams, to be a team leader when appropriate, and have a demonstrated ability to achieve desired results through the application of team concepts.
• Ability to develop and execute work plans with measurable outcomes that meet environmental objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both verbal and written forms.
• Ability to prepare reports, letters, charts, maps, and other documents with strong attention to detail, using Microsoft Office Products, GIS software, and computer databases.
• Ability to employ strong organizational and time management skills.

Work Environment
Work is performed in a County office building and at various sites located in the metropolitan area. Work is occasionally performed in the evenings and on weekends. Lifting up to 35 pounds on a daily basis and exerting in excess of 50 pounds on an infrequent basis. Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions and various physical and chemical hazards in the course of conducting assigned duties. Types of equipment used may include telephone, cell phone, personal computer, GPS, magnetometer, analytical sampling instruments, digital and video cameras, calculator, fax, copier, scanner, LCD projector, and vehicles.

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring