Environmental Specialist (Stormwater)

Environmental Specialist (Stormwater)

Salary

$61,942.40 - $77,417.60 Annually

Location

700 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

26-10833

Department

TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Opening Date

08/17/2026

Closing Date

9/14/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

Are you ready to put boots on the ground and be an active participant in the protection of environmental quality for residents of Travis County? If so, Travis County is hiring for an Environmental Inspection Specialist.

This position will perform field inspections and assessments for compliance with County Codes and standards for water quality protection. This includes and is not limited to the inspection of large and small construction sites, water quality ponds, County construction and maintenance activities as well as complaint investigations and response.

Other work will include GIS data collection, data entry, research, and public outreach including pre-construction meetings, outreach events, and stakeholder meetings. This position may also assist with illegal dumping and spill response as well as training events for internal and external partners.

Requirements will include knowledge and skill in applying the following principles and standards effectively: Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWP3s), erosion and sediment controls, hydraulics, drainage, permanent water quality engineering designs, construction methods, local soils, vegetation, ecology, as well as local, State, and Federal environmental codes and standards. Requirements also include the ability to communicate effectively in writing or verbally with other County staff, consultants, contractors, other agencies, and the public, as well as an ability to produce detailed technical reports and documentation.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This position may support one or more of the following program areas: Hazardous materials management, hazardous waste management and cleanup, pesticide use and management, household hazardous waste and other special wastes; Solid waste management, recycling, responsible purchasing; Storm water management, erosion and sedimentation controls; Water quality monitoring, assessment, regulation, compliance and policy; Air quality monitoring, assessment regulation, compliance and policy; Land acquisition in support of endangered species protection or other natural resources program; Grant development and administration; Environmental policy and legislative analysis; and Compliance and civil enforcement across multiple program areas. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, performs duties of and/or administers countywide natural resource and environmental quality programs. Includes planning, processing and evaluating projects and activities in support of the programs. Manages multiple projects and activities within authorized scope, schedule and budget.
• Coordinates efforts with contractors, department staff, other departments and agencies, the regulated community,stakeholders and the general public.Serves as departmental liaison for the designated program.
• Analyzes and interprets Federal, State and Local environmental regulations. Recommends, develops and implements procedures and projects consistent with environmental regulations. Makes recommendations on compliance to the department and the regulated community. ?
• Prepares cost estimates, plans and specifications for outside goods or services within the designated areas ofprogram specialization. Prepares requests for proposals, assists in contract negotiations with vendors, and manages approved contracts in accordance with authorized scope, schedule and budget. Develops purchase requests for required supplies and services.
• Analyzes, evaluates and presents data, maintain databases and prepares written reports. Presents findings and reports to department staff and management, other agencies, the Commissioners Court and the public.
• Conducts education and outreach to the general public by participating in information meetings, trainings, and conferences to explain issues related to the programs goals. Represents the department by working closely with groups, community members and organization representatives
• Assists in preparing and submitting grant applications for new and continued funding of programs through Federal,State, Local and County sources.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Technical Writing or a directly related field AND two (2) years experience in the program specialization areas listed above;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Drivers License.

Depending on program specialization assigned to, may require certification in one of the following designated specialty fields, such as: International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification, International Erosion Control Association (IECA) certification (e.g. Certified Erosion, Sediment and Storm Water Inspector, CESSWI), Pest Control Applicator License, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER).

Preferred :

Fluent in Spanish

Construction site inspection experience

Stormwater inspector certifications (CESSWI, CISEC, CPESC, etc.)

HAZWOPER Certified

Experience engaging with the public

Experience performing environmental inspections or site assessments

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Standard theory, principles, practices and techniques of designated program and area of specialization.
• Scientific principles and techniques related the assigned area of environmental specialization.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable environmental laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Principles, practices and techiniques of project management. ?
• Research and data analysis techniques.
• Principles of data, document and records management.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages including geographic information systems.
• Technical writing, report writing and preparation, business letter writing, grammar and punctuation.
• Legislative economic, technological and industry trends applicable to the designated areas of program specialization.

Skill in:

• Use of biological monitoring, environmental assessment, and wildlife control equipment and instruments.

• Use of field techniques, equipment and instruments appropriate to the area of specialization.

• Data analysis.

• Geographic Information Systems, including the ability to:

• create maps and graphs, using GIS software and related equipment;

• compile geographic data from a variety of sources which may include censuses, field observation, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps;

• retrieve stored maps, manage shape files and other GIS data.

• Data management techniques.

• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.

• Problem-solving and decision-making.

• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Manage time well, perform and prioritize multiple tasks, organize diverse activities, develop and implement environmental research and projects.
• Meet deadlines and produce projects in a timely manner while working on several projects at once.
• Work as a team member within a diverse organization.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, standing, walking/hiking (some rough terrain), carrying, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. May work in extreme temperature/weather change/conditions, and smoke on prescribed or wild fires. Maybe subject to contact with dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable/infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: 700 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701

Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Victoria.Besa@traviscountytx.gov

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union

Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit

Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program

Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations

Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic

Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays

An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance

Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity

Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employees fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking

A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays

Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January - March

3 personal holidays

April - June

2 personal holidays

July - September

1 personal holiday

October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement

Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave

Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave

Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund

Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation

Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period

6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period

11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period

16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period

21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers Compensation

The county provides all employees workers compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

01

Do you have or can you obtain within 6 months of hire an industry recognized stormwater inspector certification such as a CESSWI, CISEC, or CPESC?

02

How many years of experience do you have working in the field of environmental inspections or site assessments?

• Less than one
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 years or more

03

How many years of experience do you have interpreting or working with environmental regulations?

• Less than one
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 years or more

04

How many years of experience do you have producing reports, compiling documentation, and entering data?

• Less than one
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 years or more

05

Do you have experience reading and interpreting construction site plans or erosion and sediment control plans?

06

Are you familiar with or do you have experience applying the TCEQ construction general permit (TXR15000)?

07

Do you enjoy working outdoors?

Required Question

Employer Travis County

Address 700 Lavaca Street

Austin, Texas, 78701

Website https://www.traviscountytx.gov/human-resources/jobs