CAREER DESCRIPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST
SALARY INFORMATION
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:
Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Environmental Resources Specialist vacancies within OC Public Works. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
Friday, October 25, 2024 at 11:59 PM (PT).
OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works’ guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability.
OC Public Works is a unique County department comprised of ten service areas: OC Development Services; OC Fleet Services; OC Administrative Services; OC Facilities Design & Construction; OC Facilities Maintenance & Central Utilities; OC Environmental Resources; OC Operations & Maintenance; OC Construction; OC Infrastructure Programs; and OC Survey.
OC ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
OC Environmental Resources is a service area within OC Public Works that protects and improves water quality in local water bodies and beaches; facilitates countywide compliance with state and federal stormwater runoff regulations; coordinates watershed management efforts and large-scale integrated water resource projects with stakeholders; and collects, manages, and assesses water quality, hydrologic and meteorological data on the state of the Orange County environment.
For more information on OC Environmental Resources click here.
For more information on OC Public Works click here.
For more information on the County of Orange click here.
THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Public Works has an exciting opportunity for multiple Environmental Resources Specialist (ERS) positions in both the North OC Watershed Management Area and the OC Monitoring & Data Assessment divisions.
The ERS serves as a project/program lead or technical consultant for compliance programs related to the many natural resources within the County of Orange. The ERS positions will perform a variety of assignments in programs designed to monitor, maintain, and improve the quality of the environment within Orange County.
Depending on the assignment, the ERS’s job duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Act as a technical project and/or program lead for the development and implementation of stormwater compliance programs in response to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
- Lead and/or contribute to the implementation of watershed management planning efforts in North Orange County
- Serve as an environmental data assessment lead supporting the preparation of informational reports for the public, executive management, and elected officials
- Administer the County's Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and associated databases, including preparation of data products from the LIMS and QA/QC of data uploads to and downloads from the LIMS
- Design, develop, and implement monitoring programs and data quality objectives in a variety of environments and determine the type and extent of analysis needed
- Lead and conduct field monitoring activities for a variety of environmental matrices with stringent adherence to quality assurance/quality control guidelines
- Lead and/or support regional and distributed structural best management practice (BMP) project planning
- Lead program governance committees,technical workgroups, as well as public stakeholder meetings
- Conduct technical reviews of reports, research, permits, work plans, etc., prepared by other entities
- Respond to and investigate water pollution incidents involving the release of pollutants impacting the storm drain system, regional flood control channels, and receiving waters
- Develop and implement training programs as required by various NPDES permits such as the Pre-Wet Weather Construction BMP Training
- Administer consultant service contracts to support stormwater program implementation activities
- Prepare annual water quality data compliance reports required by NPDES and TMDL programs for submittal to regulatory agencies.
No matter what program the ERS is assigned to, they contribute to a broader understanding of the County of Orange's natural resources and how residents and businesses not only impact the environment, but how to mitigate that impact. As an ERS, you can help to ensure that the County of Orange remains a wonderful place to live, work, and play for generations to come.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
Depending on the assignment, the ideal candidate should possess extensive experience, knowledge, understanding, and ability required to perform the duties of this position. Successful candidates will possess three (3) years of technical experience which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge. The successful candidate must also possess a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in environmental science, biology, chemistry, environmental engineering, watershed management, ecology, geology, or a related science (e.g., geographic information systems, data science, etc.) or specialized environmental field. Environmental regulatory compliance experience with the NPDES stormwater permits, surface water monitoring, and Laboratory Information Management System or database management administration is highly desirable.
Possession of a Master's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a related scientific field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of required work level experience.
In addition, the successful candidate will possess the job-related knowledge required for this assignment as described below. The exact mix of required competencies and job knowledge will depend on the specific ERS assignment and/or department.
Technical knowledge | Experience
- Knowledge of Federal, State, and County laws, regulations, and policies governing NPDES stormwater and TMDL compliance programs
- Knowledge of environmental regulations and standards and the ability to evaluate new or revised regulations and standards and make recommendations as to their approval, disapproval, or modification
- Ability to assist in preparing regulatory compliance reports to be submitted to State and Federal agencies
- Experience with regulatory compliance inspections, enforcement, program auditing, and program training development
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement environmental monitoring and assessment programs and the preparation of detailed reports and data products
- Knowledge of web-based applications and databases to support data access, management, assessment, and integration
- Familiarity with methods of scientific research and surface water quality monitoring data analysis and assessment
- Knowledge of chemical laboratory methods, laboratory safety, and sample handling protocols
- Ability to collect environmental samples through prescribed methods
- Knowledge of statistical techniques and their application to the assessment of environmental data
- Ability to assist in preparing budgets, and managing vendor/professional service contracts
- Ability to communicate best management practices to a variety of audiences to modify behavior and improve environmental outcomes
- Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and applications
- Experience with R programming in statistical applications and data processing
- Experience in administration of a Laboratory Information Management System in an environmental compliance setting for a government agency
Leadership Skills
- Proven experience working in a lead capacity on a project or program
- Ability to empower, mentor, and coach/train staff and peers
- Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with all levels of County staff, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the public
- Operate independently and collaboratively
- Independently and/or with minimal guidance direct and manage outside consultant contracts to regulate and monitor budgetary boundaries and meet deliverable deadlines
- Plan, organize, and direct the work of others
Analytical | Problem-Solving Skills
- Analyze problems and adopt an effective course of action
- Demonstrate ability to research and identify information or data gaps, and to seek subject matter experts and/or supplemental resources to make informed decisions
- Demonstrate critical thinking, creative problem solving and exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information
- Balance competing priorities while meeting established deadlines
- Demonstrate ability to apply creative and effective analytical reasoning with a solution-oriented focus
Communication | Oral & Written
- Coordinate regulatory compliance programs with multiple County departments, State and Federal Agencies, cities and special districts; and lead multi-agency workgroups and meetings
- Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing to a variety of public and professional audiences
- Address difficult issues in a timely manner utilizing tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations
- Understand and follow oral and written technical instructions
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the complete list of minimum qualifications for Environmental Resources Specialist position.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.
Application Appraisal Panel | (Weighted 100%):
Applications and supplemental responses will be scored by a panel of job knowledge experts. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Applicants are encouraged to submit a thorough application and fully respond to the supplemental questions.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.
Eligible ListOnce the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Veterans Employment PreferenceThe County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please clickhere to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19 RELATED REQUIREMENTS
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.
EMAIL NOTIFICATIONEmail is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:Clickhere for additional Frequently Asked Questions. Questions? For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Linette Lavey at 714-667-9751 or by email atLinette.Lavey@ocpw.ocgov.com.
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
