DESCRIPTION

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS
ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.
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The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.

The City of Torrance is recruiting for a Senior Environmental Quality Officer to be a part of the Community Development Team!

The Department
The Community Development Departmentdelivers a wide variety of programs and services related to planning, building and safety, code enforcement, affordable housing, neighborhood improvement, and historic preservation to help create and maintain more safe, sustainable, and livable neighborhoods.

Responsibilities of the Community Development Department include:

Building Permits & Online Permitting
Code Enforcement/Environmental Quality
Construction Plan Check and Inspections
Development Review and Comprehensive Planning
Engineering Permits and Records
GIS
Housing Programs (including Section 8)
NPDES Administration
Successor Agency to the Former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Torrance
Survey Information
Transportation Planning

The Division

The Neighborhood Services Division provides a number of services that preserve the appearance, character and quality of our neighborhoods and our community. These efforts promote and maintain the high standards that make Torrance such a desirable place to live and do business. Services provided under the Environmental Quality Unit include: Zoning Enforcement, Land Use Codes, Property Maintenance, Noise Codes (Community and Airport), Sign Permits, Plan Checks, and Final Inspections (Residential and Commercial Developments).

The Position
The Senior Environmental Quality Officer performs complex professional zoning, land use, and environmental enforcement work. This position interprets and explains codes and regulations, prepares comprehensive reports regarding enforcement on environmental issues, land use hazardous waste, airport noise, and other topics and participates in administrative hearings and appeals before commissions and City Council. The Senior Environmental Quality Officer reviews acoustical reports submitted by consultants, conducts first level of adjudication on environmental cases, responds to inquiries from the public over the telephone, in person, and in writing, and does related work as required.

For a full a job description, click here.

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Education and Experience
Two years of responsible experience which includes two of the following areas: code/regulation/rule enforcement, aircraft noise abatement, animal control, oil and energy matters, public contact resolving conflicts, public relations, or general administrative experience in a public agency to include analysis, report writing, and budget preparation.

A Master's Degree in a related field [below] may be substituted for one year of this requirement.

Also required is one additional year of responsible professional experience reviewing building related permit applications and inspecting properties, investigating complaints, and enforcing environmental codes and ordinances [i.e. at the level of Environmental Quality Officer].

Graduation from a college or university with a major in Environmental studies, planning, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, English or a related field or current permanent employment as an Environmental Quality Officer in the City of Torrance as of January 9, 1990.

License and Certificates
A valid class C California Driver's License.

Ideal Candidate
Successful candidates will possess the following:

Experience in the enforcement of Federal, State and local laws, codes, environmental and zoning regulations and related ordinances;
Flexibility and effectiveness in handling multiple or conflicting priorities;
Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills;
Strong organizational skills and self-motivation;
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to effectively manage, mentor, and motivate a team of environmental professionals; and
Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with management, staff, the public, contractors, and public agencies.

HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS

Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs. The application filing period opens Monday, December 22, 2025. First review of applications will be those received by Sunday, January 11, 2026. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the review date, there is the possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.

Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department's needs will be invited to participate in the testing process, which will consist of the following components:

Oral Interview: Weighted 100% (Tentatively scheduled for January 21, 2026)
Department Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of February 9, 2026.

The tentative test dates will be based on a sufficient number of qualified applications received by the first review date. If a sufficient number of applications are not received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the test date may change to a later date.

SPECIAL NOTES

Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our community.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s). If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 prior to the test date.

As a condition of employment, candidates must pass a background check.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

City of Torrance Inclusion Statement
The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!

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Senior Environmental Quality Officer