7.1. SR 02-21-2006
City of Elk River Item Number
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION 7.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Administration February 21, 2006 Scott Clark
Item Description Reviewed by
Authorization to Upgrade Environmental Assistant Position and
Start Recruiting Process
Introduction
On February 6, 2006 the City received the resignation of Mara Anderson who held the position of
Environmental Assistant. This position was created five months ago as part of the Community
Development Department's reorganization which included the creation of a separate Environmental
Division. The purpose of this City Council action is to discuss the merits of upgrading this position to an
Environmental Technician with a commensurate pay grade increase.
Discussion
Over the past five months staff has had the ability to gauge the effectiveness of having an "assistant
position" working with the Environmental Administrator. The assistant position did not demand any
certifications and only a cursory knowledge of the functional areas that the division typically deals with.
At this time, staff recommendation is to upgrade the position to allow the hiring of an individual that has
various certifications such as wetland delineator, erosion and sedimentation control and landfill
operations, or the ability and experience to achieve the same within a short period of time. A key part of
this recommendation is the workload of the Division and the need to have the subject position capable of
making a broad range of independent decisions. The existing workload for the Division includes the
administration of wetlands, shore lands, floodplain, erosion control, gravel operations, landfills and staff
support to the Energy City Commission and the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Financial Impact
Staff recommendation for this position is a starting salary range of $40,000 to $45,000 (a maximum
$13,500 increase over the existing position) with a final pay grade to be established as part of the current
organizational review study. The overall 2006 Community Development Department budget can balance
this amount due to the delay of hiring a Planning Manager and an anticipated two month vacancy in
hiring the subject position.
Attachments
Environmental Assistant Position Description
Environmental Technician Position Description (draft and in progress)
S:\Community Deve1opment\Scott Clark\environemntal tech.doc
Action Reauested
Staff is recommending upgrading and creating the position of Environmental Technician with a starting
salary range of $40,000 to $45,000 with a final determination of pay grade as part of the City's current
organizational study.
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
S:\Community Development\Scott Clark\environemntal tech.doc
City of Elk River
Environmental Assistant
Position Description
Department: Immediate Supervisor:
Community Development Environmental Administrator
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: I Last Updated: (date)
Exempt 10/10/05
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Environmental Assistant provides assistance and reports to the Environmental Administrator
on a variety of environmental-related issues. This position's primary responsibility is to maintain
and improve the quality of the environment as it relates to the health, safety and welfare of the
residents of Elk River. This position performs work to ensure compliance with the City ordinances
and follows up on code violations.
Essential Functions
1. Assists with the Wedand Conservation Act (WCA) activities.
A. Assists with the city's Wedand Conservation Act program.
B. Participates on the city's Technical Evaluation Panel.
C. Prepares notices for the public regarding WCA activities.
D. Assists with coordination of the WCA activities with other governmental agencies.
E. Assists in the preparation of recommendations regarding WCA requests for the City
Council and attends meetings regarding such issues.
F. Assists with preparation of state reports and grant applications on WCA activities.
G. Assists with providing general WCA information to the public.
2. Coordinates recycling and solid waste programs.
A. Administers the city's recycling program and organizes solid waste collection including
such items as annual hauler licenses, refuse franchise negotiations and disposal contracts.
B. Assists in the development of new landfill abatement programs including business
recycling, clean-up days, etc.
C. Develops public information, education materials and programs for landfill abatement
including recycling education programs in schools.
D. Responds to general inquiries and complaints regarding recycling and solid waste issues.
3. Performs other environmental and safety issues.
A. Assists and acts as back-up to the Environmental Administrator in the administration of
environmental ordinances including Shoreland, Floodplain, Wild and Scenic, Mineral
Excavation and Right of Way Ordinances.
B. Assists and acts as back-up to the Environmental Administrator in the administration of
environmental permits such as gravel mining licenses, Elk River Landfill, NRG's RDF
plant and GRE's power station.
C. Assists and acts as back-up to the Environmental Administrator regarding environmental
programs.
p.,o-p 1
D. Assists in the initial investigation and enforcement of environmental violations such as
illegal dumping, spills, etc.
E. Assists in the administration of permits for working in the city rights-of-way.
F. Coordinates various environmental education efforts within the city.
G. Serves as liaison to regulatory bodies and citizens on environmental issues.
H. Assists in the preparation of ordinances to regulate environmental issues.
I. Assists in the administration of the Oak Wilt Program
J. Assists with administration of the Heritage Preservation Commission, Lake Orono
Improvement Association, and Energy City.
K. Assists with City's Storm Water Program.
L. Provides content information for the City's website.
4. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
o Knowledge of local, state and national laws pertaining to municipal operations.
o Knowledge of local, state, and national environmental laws.
o Ability to effectively communicate city policies and procedures to other public agencies and the
general public.
o Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
o Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff and the public.
o Ability to prepare and manage multiple work programs in an efficient and productive manner.
o Ability to effectively review and analyze various applications and permits.
o Ability to work independently and assume responsibilities with minimal direct supervision.
o Ability to efficiently process proposals to developers, the Boards and Commissioners, and the City
Council.
Minimum Qualifications
o College degree in an environmental discipline.
o Six months governmental or professional experience in an environmentally-related field.
Preferred Qualifications
o More than one-year experience.
Page 2
Environmental Assistant
City of Elk River
Environmental Technician
Position Description
Department:
Bui:ldin.~ s:nd En-.1:ronmental Community
Develo Jment
Immediate Supervisor:
Bui:ldin~ s:nd Environmental Administrator
Pay Grade:
FLSA Status:
Exem t
Last Updated: (date)
6/21/02
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Environmental Technician provides assistance and reports to the Building and Zoning
Environmental Administrator regarding solid waste and other environmental issues. This position's
primary responsibility is to maintain and improve the quality of the environment as it relates to the
health, safety and welfare of the residents of Elk River. This position performs work to ensure
compliance with the City ordinances and follows up on code violations.
Essential Functions
1. Coordinates Wedand Conservation Act (WCA) activities.
A. Administers the city's Wedand Conservation Act program.
B. Represents the city on the Technical Evaluation Panel.
C. Prepares notices for the public regarding WCA activities.
D. Coordinates the WCA activities with other governmental agencies.
E. Assists in the preparation of recommendations regarding WCA requests for the City
Council and attends meetings regarding such issues.
F. Prepares state reports and grant applications on WCA activities.
G. Assists with providing general WCA information to the public.
H. Inspects and monitors wedand mitigation sties.
1. Conducts enforcement of WCA violations.
2. Coordinates recycling and solid waste programs.
A. Administers the city's recycling program and organizes solid waste collection including
such items as annual hauler licenses, refuse franchise negotiations and disposal contracts.
B. Assists in the development of new landfill abatement programs including business
recycling, clean-up days, etc.
C. Develops public information, education materials and programs for landfill abatement
including recycling education programs in schools.
D. Responds to general inquiries and complaints regarding recycling and solid waste issues.
E. !~ct3 a3 city liai30n on Sherburne County Solid WS:3te !~dV1.30ry Board s:nd v.'ith other
governmental entitie3 regarding wa3te i33ue3.
3. Coordinates storm water pollution prevention programs.
A. Inspects new construction sites to ensure proper erosion control measures are being taken.
B. Develops public education materials on storm water pollution prevention.
C. Conducts meetings with educational professionals, developers, building contractors and
P"o-p 1
excavators to inform them of stonnwater related issues and possible solutions.
D. Assists "\vith providing general NPDES information to the public.
TL Prepares state reports and grant applications on NPDES activities.
4. Performs other environmental and safety issues.
A. Assists and acts as back-up to the Environmental and Building Administrator in the
administration of environmental ordinances including Shoreland, Floodplain, Wild and
Scenic, Mineral Excavation and Right of Way Ordinances.
B. Assists and acts as back-up to the Environmental and Building Administrator in the
administration of environmental pennits such as gravel mining licenses, Elk River Landfill,
NRG's RDF plant and GRE's power station.
C. Assists and acts as back-up to the Environmental and Building Administrator regarding
environmental programs.
D. Assists in the initial investigation and enforcement of environmental violations such as
illegal dumping, spills, etc.
E. Assists in the administration of permits for working in the city rights-of-way.
F. Coordinates various environmental education efforts within the city.
G. Serves as liaison to regulatory bodies and citizens on environmental issues.
H. Assists in the preparation of ordinances to regulate environmental issues.
1. Assists in the administration of the Oak Wilt Program
J. Assists with administration of the Heritage Preservation Commission, Lake Orono
Improvement Association, and Energy City.
K. Provides content information for the City's website.
5. Performs data entry activities.
.,/1.,.. Enters Building Department's records into }...rc..../iew database.
B. Creates new parcels in Ceobase from plat and lot splits.
C. Enters PIN number;" setbacks, Floodplain, Shorcland and other pertinent data on parceh
in Ceoba3e and }...rcView.
6. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
o I<uowledge of local, state and national laws pertaining to municipal operations.
o I<Uowledge of local, state, and national environmental laws.
o Ability to understand planning theory and practice.
o Ability to effectively communicate city policies and procedures to other public agencies and the
general public.
o Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
o Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff and the public.
o Ability to prepare and manage multiple work programs in an efficient and productive manner.
o Ability to effectively review and analyze various applications and permits.
o Ability to work independendy and assume responsibilities with minimal direct supervision.
o Ability to effectively interpret zoning ordinance requirements.
o Ability to efficiendy process proposals and to ensure the completeness and accuracy of
recommendations made to the developers, the Planning Commission, and the City Council.
Minimum Qualifications
Page 2
Environmental Technician2
D College degree in an environmental discipline.
D One-year governmental or professional experience in an environmental field.
D Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control (CPESC) Certification or ability to obtain
with one year.
D Wetland Delineator Certification or ability to obtain with in one year.
Preferred Qualifications
D More than one-year experience.
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Environmental Technician2