Description
Inspect and investigate potential pollution sources to protect public health and the environment and verify compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations and ordinances.
- • Determine violations, prescribe corrective actions, issue notices of violation, and participate in enforcement hearings as needed.
- • Review permits, licenses, applications, and records for regulatory compliance.
- • Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records and case files.
- • Interview complainants, witnesses, and operators to document suspected violations.
- • Prepare written and oral reports, data tables, and graphics, including enforcement and chain-of-custody documentation.
- • Monitor corrective actions and review compliance reports after violations.
- • Investigate complaints and suspected violations such as illegal dumping, pollution, pesticide use, product quality, or labeling.
- • Inspect pretreatment, treatment, and disposal facilities and systems for regulatory conformance.
- • Communicate pollution control requirements and inspection findings, and explain corrective measures.
- • Select sampling locations and methods; collect and preserve water and wastewater samples for analysis.
- • Verify proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
- • Stay current on EPA and state environmental laws, regulations, and guidance.
- • Prioritize sites and complaint reports for investigation and coordinate with other agencies on compliance and enforcement.
- • Observe and document field conditions, recording data such as flow rates and chemical levels.
- • Follow and enforce safety protocols; recognize and address unsafe conditions.
- • Evaluate label information for accuracy and regulatory conformance.
- • Inform health professionals, property owners, and the public about risks from water pollution and contaminated wastewater.
- • Interpret and implement requirements to maintain pretreatment, pollution prevention, and stormwater programs.
- • Perform basic laboratory analyses on collected samples, e.g., contaminated wastewater.
- • Review applications for dangerous material registrations and pollution discharge permits.
- • Calculate discharge volumes, limits, and wastewater strength classifications; develop recommendations and documentation.
- • Support development of spill prevention programs and hazardous waste rules; recommend corrective actions.
- • Maintain sampling equipment and field materials; ensure work sites are orderly.
- • Conduct research on hazardous waste management, including problem scope, treatment options, and cost estimates.
- • Respond to inquiries on service charges and capacity fees or refer them appropriately.
- • Prepare data to calculate sewer service charges and capacity fees.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
