Description

The City of Cupertino is currently seeking a multi-faceted, energetic self-starter with excellent communication and diplomacy skills to join the Environmental Programs and Sustainability Team as an Environmental Programs Specialist. This division of Public Works is responsible for compliance with stormwater pollution prevention requirements, waste hauling, diversion, and disposal agreements and regulations, and accomplishing the measures in the City’s Climate Action Plan. This specialist position will lead on compliance with stormwater pollution prevention requirements, but will also participate in the wider goals and activities of the division. Projects include coordinating the new inspection requirements for private land discharge areas, ensuring stormwater and solid waste management compliance on a number of large building development projects, and assisting the division in responding to new regulatory requirements as they emerge.

Under general direction, the Environmental Programs Specialist performs specialized professional and technical support related to programs and activities of the Environmental Programs Division including stormwater pollution prevention, solid waste and recycling programs, household hazardous waste, climate, resiliency, and sustainability, and related activities; conducts field investigations and audits of residential and commercial facilities to determine compliance with applicable Federal and State laws, codes, ordinances, specifications, and departmental regulations; fosters cooperative working relationships with various public and private agencies, organizations, and groups; conducts public outreach events and activities; provides specialized and professional assistance to the Environmental Programs Manager.

Class Characteristics

This classification performs specialized professional and technical support for programs and activities of the Environmental Programs Division. This position is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing assigned City environmental programs and projects through collaboration with other departments, divisions, outside agencies, private business and property owners and the general public. This class is distinguished from the Environmental Programs Manager in that the latter has overall management responsibility for environmental programs, functions, and activities and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction from the Environmental Programs Manager and/or Public Works Supervisor - Environmental Programs. Exercises general supervision over one or two staff in the Environmental Programs Division. May exercise technical and functional direction over volunteers or short assignments of other staff.

Essential Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Develops and coordinates environmental program activities related to stormwater pollution prevention, solid waste and recycling programs, and climate, resiliency, and sustainability activities to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Reviews application plans and specifications for a variety of development construction projects; performs walk-through with applicants; recommends design change options to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Participates on and makes presentations to a variety of committees; attends and participates in professional group meetings.

Develops and writes Federal, State, and local mandatory environmental reports including the Industrial/Commercial Discharger (IND) Inspection and Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) sections of the annual report for submittal to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board; analyzes and ensures accuracy of data.

Coordinates assigned recycling, solid waste, climate, resiliency, and sustainability programs for the City; collects data on the needs of the City and develops plans of action; educates and works with City departments to improve compliance with the municipal regional stormwater permit (MRP), franchise solid waste agreement, Climate Action Plan, and related municipal codes.

Represents the City in meetings with representatives of government agencies, professional, business, community organizations, and the public.

Investigates and responds to problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.

Prepares public information materials such as notices, brochures, flyers, newsletters, and other materials; provides educational trainings to City staff, property and business owners, tenants and the general public.

May serve as staff liaison to the Sustainability Commission.

Participates in the selection of and trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends discipline to management.

Maintains accurate databases, records, and files related to programs within the Environmental Programs Division and compliance actions which may include warnings, notices of violation, and citations.

Administers assigned contracts with private vendors to provide City services.

Conducts special research assignments, analyzing data, and preparing conclusions and recommendations for consideration by management or special committees.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, terminology, and methods of environmental compliance programs, including stormwater and surface water quality, water quality, water conservation, solid waste including recycling and household hazardous waste, climate, resiliency, and sustainability.

Program development, management, and evaluation techniques.

Basic engineering methods, technology and terminology.

Designs, plans, and specifications used in public works and building.

Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to environmental compliance.

Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.

Basic budgetary and contract administration policies and procedures.

Principles and practices of safety management and application.

Technical report writing practices and procedures.

Record keeping principles and procedures.

Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.

Computer software related to work.

English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.

Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

Develop, organize, supervise, coordinate, review, evaluate, and personally participate in programs and projects related to environmental compliance programs.

Analyze, interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.

Prepare and administer the assigned program's budget and contracts, including the requisition and/or purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and services.

Monitor legislative and technological changes and recommend operational changes as appropriate.

Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, informational materials, ordinances, and other written materials.

Utilize computer and related word processing, database, and spreadsheet software and applications.

Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.

Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.

Comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communication in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to intended audiences.

Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in environmental studies, public administration, engineering, planning or a related field, and three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental program development, coordination, and/or implementation.

Licenses and Certifications

Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license is required.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily an outdoor field inspector classification although finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, bend and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. Field work may include inspecting creeks and other natural environments that may or may not have water flow, carry trash; conducting waste characterizations of collected trash and recyclables, inspection of waste bins and trash enclosures, operating hand trash collection devices, conducting spill clean-ups, and limited direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Working Conditions

May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts on emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Supplemental Information

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your City of Cupertino employment application to Human Resources no later than 5:00 pm, December 2, 2024. Applications must be filled out completely. Failure to complete the supplemental application will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience or stating “See Resume” in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to rejection. Resumes may be attached separately. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City’s employment page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cupertino, or application materials may be submitted to: Human Resources, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this job announcement. Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which may include a written examination and/or panel interview. An eligible list will be established as a result of this process and will remain in effect for 3 months from the date established and may be extended up to one year.

Additional Information

The City of Cupertino is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religion, color, sex (including gender and pregnancy), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics, and physical or mental disability. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Cupertino Human Resources upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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Environmental Programs Specialist