Watershed Inspector
WATERSHED INSPECTOR POSITION - 6 Month
For City of Syracuse Dept. of Water
Project Location: Skaneateles, NY
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
Performs inspection work to prevent contamination of a protected watershed. Under general supervision, conducts inspections by vehicle and foot patrol of properties within the watershed that abuts Skaneateles Lake. Incumbents perform site evaluations for proposed sewage disposal systems during both pre and post construction period. Work is reviewed through inspection of daily reports. Supervision is not performed in this class. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Patrols properties (residential, commercial, agricultural, and municipal) within the Skaneateles Lake watershed, its shoreline, and tributaries by foot, truck, and boat to detect violations of existing codes, rules, and regulations to determine sewage system failures, illegal sewage discharge, improper installation of sewage systems, improper storage, or evidence of illegal dumping of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials.
- Conducts a variety of tests to determine leachate and sewage systems within the watershed.
- Conducts annual agricultural land use and hazardous materials survey and inspections. Determining number of acres devoted to specific crops and inventory of pesticides, petroleum products and road salts used and stored within the watershed.
- Inspects for situations that may environmentally impact water quality (animal waste in proximity) to the lake or its watercourse.
- Performs site evaluation with regard to proposed sewage disposal system installation, witness percolation tests.
- Removes and disposes of dead animals from the lake and shoreline.
- Communicates with local health officials, zoning officials or residents regarding the watershed and sanitary code rules and regulations as required.
- Prepares simple daily reports of inspection activities and violations to immediate superior.
- Collects a variety of samples for analysis relating to water quality or watershed conditions.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
We will provide chosen candidate with good knowledge of the Syracuse Skaneateles Lake Watershed rules and regulations, and related sanitary codes for New York State, Onondaga, Cortland, and Cayuga Counties.
Good Knowledge of the design, construction, and operation of various subsurface sewage disposal systems and containerized disposal systems as per “NYS Handbook for Individual Household Systems.”
- Ability to read and interpret engineering site plans for sewage disposal systems.
- Ability to perceive problems that have potential environmental impact on water quality.
- Ability to prepare simple reports.
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with public. Physical condition commensurate with demands of position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Matriculation in a registered college or university program in Environmental Science, Potable or Wastewater Management, Natural Science, Engineering, Construction, or a closely related field.
- Must have extreme attention to detail and safety (CPR, AED, and First Aid training provided, as well as boater certification & NYS DEC 4 hr. Erosion & Sediment Control certification).
- Must have a valid driver’s license, have demonstrated safe driving ability and have reliable daily transportation to workstation
- To be deemed qualified to meet company insurability standards, prospective employees must have three or more years of driving experience
Position pays $19.50/hour., 40 hr. week (mid-May through mid -October)
If interested, please send resume and cover letter to Mark Burger at mburger@ocswcd.org by: 1pm on March 5, 2025.
Mark Burger, Executive Director, Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District
6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool, NY 13088, Telephone: 315/457-0325/ www.OCSWCD.org