Director of Environmental Services and Sustainability

Location:  City of Denton, TX Download:  City of Denton, TX - Director of Environmental Services and Sustainability Brochure

Director of Environmental Services and Sustainability
City of Denton, TX

The Community

The City of Denton is a vibrant community and is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country. With an estimated population of 141,541, Denton is strategically positioned within the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, where the eastern and western segments of I-35 join 40 miles north of Fort Worth and Dallas.

The City of Denton was recently listed #2 among U.S. cities for economic and population growth. Denton was also at the top of the list for population change, low unemployment, and growth in business.

Denton has been known as a university town, home to two state universities, the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University. With a combined enrollment of over 50,000 students, the universities bring in a variety of cultural, sports, and entertainment amenities to the Denton community. In downtown Denton and just south of Denton is a campus for North Central Texas College, the oldest continuously operating two-year college in Texas. Public education is also important in Denton, with Denton Independent School District serving more than 27,000 students and 17 cities in a 180 square-mile district.

Denton is known for its friendly, small-town feel paired with big-city amenities. Across Denton, there is a pulsating entertainment culture, featuring live performing arts venues, music and film festivals, museums, and historical sites. Additionally, Denton is home to 30 parks, featuring 300 acres of open space, 3 recreation centers, a water park and community swimming pools, and hike and bike trails throughout the city. Nearby lakes, hiking trails, and state parks also to contribute to exciting outdoor recreation opportunities. 

Government

The City of Denton operates under a Council-Manager form government and is governed by a mayor and six city council members. The Mayor and two council members are elected at-large, and four council members are elected from single districts. Terms are two years in length and each of the seven members of the council can serve up to a maximum of three consecutive terms.

The City Manager is responsible for the implementation of Council policies and priorities. The City Manager's Office provides leadership and direction to all departments of the City, coordinates the official business of the City Council, submits and administers the annual budget and capital improvement programs, and acts as liaisons among the City Council, citizens, and the City organization.

The Department

Environmental Services and Sustainability oversees regulatory compliance for solid waste, water, and wastewater departments. This service includes Watershed Protection, Industrial Pretreatment, Municipal Laboratory, Gas Wells Inspections, and Solid Waste Compliance. Other responsibilities include the protection of environmentally sensitive areas, managing the mosquito surveillance program and managing and implementing the City's sustainability plan and programs. 

The Position

The Director of Environmental Services and Sustainability reports to the Executive Manager of Utilities and is responsible for ensuring the City of Denton complies with all Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements for environmental issues related to air quality, water, wastewater, storm water, solid waste, electric, tree preservation, and environmentally sensitive areas.  The Department is also responsible for administering the City's Sustainability Program, environmental grants, brownfields program, mosquito control program, air quality initiatives, and gas well inspections. The Director is responsible for managing activities in the Industrial Pretreatment Division, Water and Wastewater Laboratory, Storm Water Division, and Solid Waste Compliance.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

  • Provides management level expertise for Water and Wastewater Laboratory, Industrial Pretreatment Division, Watershed Protection and Storm Water Divisions, Brownfield Program, Mosquito Control Program, and Air Quality Initiatives
  • Provides management level expertise for industrial pretreatment and municipal storm water regulatory compliance issues, including storm water permit compliance for municipally operated industrial sectors (MSGPs), storm water compliance for municipal construction projects, and compliance for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit
  • Develops research, competes effectively for grants, and provides management level advice, expertise, and technical assistance to other municipal departments and elected / appointed officials regarding all municipal environmental issues
  • Provides management level expertise, technical assistance, and direction to all municipal departments concerning environmental and sustainability issues
  • Manages the Gas Well Inspections Division and related programs, and provides expertise for drafting city policies regarding gas well exploration and production
  • Serves as a liaison between citizens, municipal staff, elected officials, and other stakeholders concerning environmental and sustainability issues
  • Responsible for overseeing the City's Sustainability Plan, implementation of a detailed work plan, and providing quarterly and annual reports
  • Serves as the primary contact and City representative for environmental and sustainability issues which may entail appearances on television, radio, or interviews by newspapers; provides expertise and oversight for public information concerning environmental and sustainability issues
  • Represents the City of Denton at various meetings, through participation in various boards, and through presentations to the public, governmental agencies, and professional groups
  • Works with elected and appointed officials to facilitate understanding of local, state, and federal environmental issues and regulations; Work can involve controversial issues in a public forum, and can encompasses a wide variety of topics, including air quality, water quality, land uses decisions, and public health
  • Actively maintains partnerships between the City of Denton and other entities such as the University of North Texas, Baylor University, Texas A&M University, the United States Geological Survey, consulting firms, and other similar research groups in order to maximize the resources that can be brought to bear on Denton's environmental and sustainability concerns
  • Designated staff liaison and coordinator of regular meetings for the Denton City Council Committee on the Environment and any other related committees that may be created from time-to-time, performing research as necessary to facilitate understanding of topics
  • Develops and presents agenda items for the Public Utilities Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, and City Council, and attends all Public Utilities Board meetings.
  • Provides management level expertise for the City of Denton mosquito control program, including management decisions involving mosquito surveillance and treatment methods on a municipal scale; serves as the main point of contact for public health concerns involving vector control
  • Work with Development Services Department and developers to ensure proper management of environmental issues during the development process. Responsibilities include providing expertise and technical assistance concerning Environmentally Sensitive Areas regulations, Erosion and Sediment control, and Gas Well exploration / production
  • Develops, recommends, and operates within broad regulations and general policies governing the operation of the Environmental Services Department 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Ability to conduct extensive research in short time frames, write technical documents, publish materials in scientific journal, summarize large amounts of technical information, and speak publicly about complex, potentially controversial environmental issues in a manner that can be understood by the general public
  • Extensive knowledge of regional, state and federal environmental regulations, including regulations concerning water, wastewater, storm water, and air quality
  • Broad understanding of multiple scientific/environmental disciplines
  • Knowledge of sustainability actions / objectives within a municipal or similar environment, particularly those dealing with electricity, water, wastewater, and transportation
  • Knowledge of environmental regulations and policies within a municipal framework, including development code, code of ordinances, development review, and inspection / enforcement
  • Knowledge of environmental sampling and monitoring for various environmental media (air, water, soil) including sampling design, sample collection, statistical data analyses, and interpretation of results
  • Knowledge of laboratory operations and industrial pretreatment programs
  • Knowledge of municipal and industrial storm water regulations.
  • Knowledge of gas well operations, including state regulatory requirements
  • Knowledge of environmental sampling, electronic monitoring equipment, and experimental design.
  • Knowledge of statistics and statistical software, especially as related to environmental data
  • Advanced knowledge of environmental issues related to water, storm water, groundwater, air, soils, and sustainability issues 

Education and Experience

Qualified applicants will have a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Biology, Sustainability or other closely related field of study with strong business skills and training, and at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible supervisory and management experience dealing with environmental regulations, municipal compliance, and similar issues; a Master's degree is preferred.  A combination of related education, experience, certifications, and licenses will be considered.

Certifications

Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality, Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, and/ or Certified Floodplain Manager is desired. 

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate should be passionate about environmental sustainability efforts, and have extensive knowledge of regional, state and federal environmental regulations concerning water, wastewater, storm water, and air quality.

The ideal candidate must exhibit strong coordination and relationship-building skills in working with the entire organization and set a positive example of competence, professionalism, energy, and work ethic to the organization and community.

The ideal candidate will be a professional leader who inspires the staff to achieve excellence. Effective communication along with strong collaboration and team building skills will be necessary for this individual to be successful.  Advanced written and oral communication skills are imperative.

Salary

The City of Denton is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation assistance will be available for the successful out of area candidate.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: DEDS

Affion Public
PO Box 794
Hershey, PA 17033
888.321.4922
www.affionpublic.com

The City of Denton is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. 

 

**Deadline to receive resumes is August 03, 2021**

Posted: 03/22/2022