Public Water System Inspector

Maine USA | Life & Physical Sciences | Full-time | Partially remote

Apply by: June 3, 2024

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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Environmental Specialist IIIOpening Date: May 13, 2024Closing Date: June 3, 2024Job Class Code:9253

Grade: 04-23 (Pro/Tech)

Salary: $47,840.00 - $64,542.40 / yr.Position Numbers: 2000-2858 & 2000-2316**02000-2316 is an anticipated vacancyPosition Location:These are full-time positions located in Augusta, Bangor, or Portland and allows partial telework with management approval.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides supportive, preventive, protective, public health and intervention services that safeguard public health and assist our customers in meeting their needs.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

The Maine CDC Drinking Water Program (DWP) is seeking a Public Water System Inspector to join our team. The DWP’s mission is to protect public health by ensuring that Maine citizens have access to clean, abundant drinking water. The DWP regulates over 1900 public water systems in the State, ranging from transient, non-transient, non-community, and community systems.

This position will be responsible for learning and implementing aspects of the Safe Drinking Water Act and associated Maine regulations that deal specifically with conducting Sanitary Survey inspections at Public Water Systems in the central/northwest portion of Maine. These inspections involve assessing the treatment, storage, and distribution of drinking water, determining if deficiencies are present, and providing technical assistance to the operators. Working with Public Water Systems has a direct impact on the health of those living in Maine.

Core Responsibilities

As a key member of the DWP team, your core responsibilities will include:

• Conduct Sanitary Survey inspections and write Sanitary Survey inspection reports.

• Provide guidance to transient, non-transient, non-community, and community systems water systems on compliance issues.

• Identify water system performance limiting factors and deficiencies.

• Serve as the point of contact for new water well, new water systems, and water treatment change/approval projects.

• Review level 1 and level 2 assessments for corrective actions and coordinates, their approval with the Rules unit.

• Provide instruction on water sampling, water sampling plans, and public notices and ensures all required follow-up actions are completed within the timeframes allowed in the regulations.

• Attends relevant water meetings, workshops, and conferences.

• Presents educational materials publicly through interviews, presentations, and written materials.

• Serve as the PI on call for emergency calls from public water systems when the assigned system PI is not available.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A six (6) year combination of education and/or experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering which includes two (2) years of environmental experience. Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework from an accredited educational institution.

Preferred candidates will also have:

• Knowledge of water system operation, water treatment principles and processes, and/or water regulations.

• Experience working within a team.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Comfort level to communicate with various individuals associated with public water systems which can include individuals with differing opinions of federal and state regulations.

• Ability to conduct on site Sanitary Survey inspections and Treatment inspections in all types of weather (within reason) and successfully and safely navigate on site conditions and locations of public water systems.

• Ability to gather, synthesize, and summarize a variety of information/data.

• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners.

• Experience overseeing compliance with federal or state regulations.

• Demonstrated ability to learn complex regulations and educate others on those regulations.

• Willingness to learn complex computer information systems.

• Organizational skills and attention to detail.

Thinking about applying?

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Agency information:

TheDepartment of Health and Human Services (https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/) (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

For additional information about this position contact: Maraquita L. Hollman, MPH (Public Water System Inspection Team Supervisor) – (207) 592-6312. Maraquita.Hollman@maine.gov

*To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application.

Please submit all documents or files in PDF format. To request a paper application, please contact Ashley.Smith@Maine.gov (Ashley.Vigue@Maine.gov) .

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays , 12 days of sick leave , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.41% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receivesix weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act .

  State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

  Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.