E Natural Resources Technician
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
Iwrw.ci. chan hassen.mn.us
E
MEMORANDUM
To: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
From: Lori Haak, Water Resources Coordinator ~l.J
Date: January 12, 2005
ð~~
Re: Natural Resources Technician Position
Per your request, I have completed a Position Justification F01TIl for the new
Natural Resources Technician position that was included as part of the 2005
budget. Please find that form attached, as well as a summary of the Surface
Water Management Plan (Fund 720) budget and a job description for the new
position.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Position Justification Form
2. SWMP Fund (720) Budget Summary
3. Job Description for Natural Resources Technician
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community wilh clean lakes, quality schools, a channing downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play
~ :...øII# CITY OF CHANHASSEN
.......... ........
POSITION JUSTIFICATION FORM
Department: Community Development
Proposed Budgeted Salary (for new position): $39,000.00
Position: Natural Resources Technician
Annual Salary Without Benefits (for replacement position):
Check One: i:8J New
D Replacement
D Other
Benefits: D No i:8J Yes (est. cost = $11,000)
Proposed Starting Date: Januarv 1,2005
If Other, explain: _
Potential Funding Sources: SWMP Fund (720)
JUSTIFICA TION FOR HIRING
Can hiring be delayed?: D No i:8J Yes
Is there a hiring alternative? D No i:8J Yes
If Yes, explain: 1. Hiring consultants to assist in water resource management tasks; 2. Continuing to
employ an intern on a seasonal basis.
What are the ramifications of not filling this position? Most notably, not creating this position would result in
a decreased level of service to residents, including increased time for complaint response, especially during the
spring and summer months. Staff would be unable to manage projects and consultants to the level necessary to
ensure tasks are carried out to the City's satisfaction. There also would be a decreased ability to obtain
financial support for environmental and water resource related projects through grants and other means.
Additionally, the City would risk an increased potential for noncompliance with state and federal regulations
(especially National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase IT and the Minnesota Wetland
Conservation Act), as well as a decreased ability to respond to erosion and sediment control issues associated
with private developments and TH 212. Management of diseased trees would be minimal and inconsistent.
Other information for consideration: The Surface Water Management Plan fund (Fund 720) revenues are
generated by quarterly storm water utility billings for all properties within Chanhassen and connection charges
for new subdivisions. These funds are for use in the preservation and management of surface water, as well as
the maintenance and installation of storm water infrastructure. Historically, the annual revenue from this fund
has been sufficient to cover the City's surface water management expenses and allow growth of the fund. (A
SWMP budget summary is attached.) The City has an estimated cash balance of $3,302,220 in the Surface
Water Management fund. These funds are used to address surface water management and maintenance needs.
The limiting factor has been that only a small number of projects can be successfully identified, designed and
managed in the course of a year with the City's existing resources. The addition of a full-time Natural
Resources Technician will increase the availability of existing staff for capital projects and projects that
provide maintenance of existing infrastructure.
Presently, the Water Resources Coordinator does not have back-up. If the Water Resources Coordinator is out
of the office due to illness, vacation or training or leaves the City, there is not a person who can cover the more
specialized aspects of the position. The Natural Resources Technician would be able to provide back-up in
those areas.
In a community experiencing growth like Chanhassen, the review, inspection and enforcement of erosion and
sediment control measures on construction and building sites could be a full-time undertaking. This position
will help to centralize this responsibility, currently being undertaken in an informal fashion by at least five City
employees and one inspector under contract with the Carver Soil and Water Conservation District. This will
help the City to consistently meet the requirements of state and federal regulations.
Many of the responsibilities of the Environmental Resource Specialist and Water Resources Coordinator are
administrative or complaint-driven in nature. It is difficult to hire outside personnel to perform these duties.
In addition, the cost of hiring consultants each year to address staffing level concerns would exceed the cost of
hiring an entry-level technician. Hiring an intern to assist in environmental resources each year has provided a
limited amount of relief; however, hiring a new intern every year requires staff to spend a large amount of time
during a busy time of year to train each new hire.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
POSITION: Natural Resources Technician
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DEPARTMENT:
Community Development
DATE: August 2004
OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
Assists the Water Resources Coordinator in assuming responsibility for the City's Surface Water
Management Program. The position requires an individual who is willing and able to participate
as a vital member of a team of engineering and planning professionals and provide support to the
Water Resources Coordinator and Environmental Resource Specialist. The position calls for
experience in the areas of storm water management, water quality protection, wetland protection
and limnology. The Natural Resources Technician should be able to develop a cooperative
working relationship with the staff of the Engineering, Community Development and Public
Works Departments. The Natural Resources Technician will be responsible for responding to
drainage, erosion control, water quality and quantity, and wetland issues; assisting in the
implementation of projects and programs in support of the City's Surface Water Management
Plan; addressing related issues and problems as they arise; providing input into the city's
development review program in related areas; and serving as an educational and informational
resource in these areas for the community. The Natural Resources Technician will also
coordinate the record keeping for the City's NPDES Phase II Program.
RELATIONSHIPS
RepOlis to: Water Resources Coordinator
Supervises: Consultants on a project basis
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assist in the implementation of the Chanhassen Surface Water Management Plan consistent
with program policies and recommendations.
2. Keep records of the City's NPDES Phase II permit applications and storm water pollution
prevention plan implementation; prepare annual reports. Maintain up-to-date computerized
inventory of all water resources, storm water ponds and storm water infrastructure. Assist in
implementation of the storm water infrastructure maintenance program.
3. Respond to citizen complaints and requests for assistance regarding storm drainage, water
quality problems and other related inquiries. Assess and document issues and responses.
4. Administer water quality monitoring programs, including lake sampling schedules and inter-
agency monitoring programs. Oversee the city's milfoil and loosestrife programs.
5. Manage the erosion and sediment control program and ordinance. Coordinate erosion and
sediment control plan review and inspections with the Soil and Water Conservation District.
Conduct erosion and sediment control inspections and provide enforcement as necessary.
6. Assist with writing and administration of grant applications, seek sources of technical
assistance, manage associated projects and prepare follow-up documentation.
7. Assist in coordination of all wetland activities including the administration of the Minnesota
Wetland Conservation Act and the City's wetland ordinance.
8. Review proposed development and prepare summary reports. Attend pre-construction
meetings as appropriate. Conduct inspections of proposed and current development to ensure
compliance with development conditions and City Code.
9. Inspect trees as necessary to assist in management of Dutch elm disease and oak wilt.
10. Assist in developing public education programs to inform the public about the storm water
management program and about appropriate, environmentally sensitive land management
practices.
11. Assist Environment Resources Specialist in providing a staff liaison to the City's
Environmental Commission.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Bachelor's Degree in water resources, limnology, natural resources, hydrology or
engineering with an emphasis in Water Resources or a closely related field and a thorough
knowledge of the principals and practices of water resource management and the Minnesota
Wetland Conservation Act.
2. Proven excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to establish and
maintain effective relationships with staff, advisory bodies and other government agencies
and deal appropriately with the public.
3. Familiarity with computerized water quality programs and storm modeling techniques.
4. A demonstrated ability to work independently and successfully complete projects with little
or no supervIsIon.
5. Ability to perform physical labor commonly encountered in water resource field studies and
project management.
REQUIREMENTS
1. College degree in Water Resources Management or a closely related field.
2. Working knowledge of applied lake management techniques.
3. Working knowledge of ArcGIS.
4. Knowledge of and/or experience with phosphorous reduction programs, water quality
monitoring programs and land use regulations pertaining to soil and water conservation.
5. Completion of the Board of Water and Soil Resources training in 1987 Army Corps of
Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, or ability to complete this training within first year
of employment.
6. Licensed tree inspector, or ability to attain licensure within first year of employment.