TCEQ - Environmental Permit Specialist III

Are you an Environmental Permit Specialist, ready for a unique opportunity to grow with an environmental state agency? 

Join TCEQ! We bring passion and drive to carry out our mission of protecting our state’s public health and natural resources.

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

As part of TCEQ’s Office of Water, you would contribute to ensuring clean and available water and protecting Texas’ water resources. See details about what we do.

This position is a member of our Water Quality Division.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Review and evaluate moderately-complex Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) pretreatment programs and participate in other pretreatment related activities for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
• Prepare, conduct, and document on-site audits of routine to moderately-complex approved pretreatment programs for compliance with TPDES permit requirements and state and federal statutes, rules, policies, and guidelines. Draft audit reports. Assist in preparing, conducting and documenting on-site audits of politically-sensitive pretreatment programs. 
• Review and evaluate pretreatment program substantial and non-substantial modifications for compliance with TPDES permit requirements and state and federal statues, rules, policies, and guidelines.  Conduct numerical analyses of local limits and incorporate the results into program modifications.  Incorporate approved substantial modifications into TPDES permits. 
• Prepare pretreatment sections of routine to moderately-complex TPDES permits in accordance with state and federal statutes, rules, policies, and guidelines.
• Evaluate pretreatment program annual reports; complete industrial waste surveys and TexTox reports; and make categorical determinations for industrial users. Participate in the resolution of contested permit applications, attend alternative dispute resolutions and public meetings, and prepare expert testimony for public hearings before an Administrative Law Judge or the Commission.
• Provide basic training to new or less experienced staff. Respond to inquiries on assigned permits, audits, and modifications to approved pretreatment programs. Prepare responses to comment documents, and revise associated documents as necessary. Communicate routine to moderately-complex information concerning the Pretreatment Program to control authorities, industrial users, agency staff, and the public. Attend meetings. Respond to telephone calls and letters received by the program. Provide routine public presentations and speeches.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with pretreatment regulations or in an approved municipal pretreatment program.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, physical science, environmental science, or a related field, plus two years of full-time experience in performing engineering, technical, or related work in environmental permitting or control activities. 

Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination may be substituted for six months of the required experience.

OR

A master’s degree in the specified fields from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required experience.

OR

A doctoral degree in the specified fields from an accredited college or university may substitute for two years of the required experience.

OR

Career Ladder Progression: One year of full-time experience at TCEQ as an Environmental Permit Specialist II.

Employees in this classification series may research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure, including but not limited to a communication infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment facility. See Tex. Business & Commerce Code Section 117.001(2).  Accordingly, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a requirement to be hired for and to continue to be employed with TCEQ.

TRANSCRIPT/ COLLEGE HOURS or COURSE WORK: 

See instructions on how to attach documents. A copy of your official college transcript or evaluation of foreign credentials in CAPPS is required if needed to meet the qualifications listed above.

CURRENT TCEQ EMPLOYEES

This position is also available as a lateral transfer opportunity (LTO) to TCEQ employees within the Engineering Specialist III state classification. The selected candidate must meet the minimum qualifications of the corresponding job in the Environmental Permit Specialist III series.

Work Schedule

Standard business hours are M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Individual and work group schedule determined by the TCEQ Water Quality Division.

BENEFITS

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Insurance: Health, Vision, Dental, and optional FSA
• Paid day(s) off from work on national holidays and holidays that the state observes
• Professional development opportunities
• Longevity pay based on your number of years working for the state
• Wellness Program and Activities
• Onsite Nurse Practitioner in HQ
• Work-Life Balance

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

TCEQ will conduct a criminal history records search, driving history (if required for the job) on candidates offered employment.

In compliance with ADA, if you need any special accommodations during the employment process, please contact HRSS for assistance at (512) 239-0102.

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) CODES

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes can be found at: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/. Please click the hyperlink under ‘Occupational Category’ for the respective Class Title.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is an Equal Opportunity Employer.