Senior Environmental Specialist - Oceanside, United States - City of Oceanside

Description

Salary : $78, $105,708.00 Annually

Location : City of Oceanside, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number:

Department: Water Utilities

Opening Date: 04/15/2024

Closing Date: 5/10/2024 4:00 PM Pacific

Introduction

The Water Utilities Department is currently conducting a salary and compensation study to maintain standing as a regionally competitive water and wastewater employer. The results of this study may impact compensation rates in fiscal year 2024/25.

About Oceanside's Water Utilities Department & Green Oceanside
The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for the position of Senior Environmental Specialist in the Watershed Protection Program. This program is a part of the City's innovative Green Oceanside environmental division which oversees all aspects of the Watershed Protection, Water Use Efficiency, and Solid Waste & Recycling programs.
The Oceanside Water Utilities Department is a sustainable and forward-looking organization whose goal it is to ensure ongoing access to safe, affordable drinking water and reliable wastewater management services by maintaining top talent, resource resiliency, dependability, and system efficiency.

About the position
Green Oceanside is seeking an environmentally-focused problem solver who is capable of managing programs within this dynamic group in the watershed protection initiative. The Watershed Protection Program ensures public agency compliance with Federal and State natural resource protection laws, habitat restoration, and environmental education. The ideal candidate is someone who can proactively exercise creative initiative, develop and implement solutions to complex problems, and communicate with the public in an outreach-centric role.

You should be excited about this opportunity because you will...

• Leverage your expertise to help meet the city's long-term watershed protection and waterway compliance objectives
• Review and inspect stormwater best management practices in Oceanside's development and land improvements
• Affect change in official city policy by assisting the preparation of memos, staff reports, contracts, budgets, grants, agreements, and documentation for a variety of watershed, pollution, runoff and environmental issues
• Collaborate with a team that is passionate about protecting our ocean and waterways from urban, residential, commercial and agricultural runoff
• Provide public-facing customer service to garner support for watershed protection goals, regulations & objectives from a variety of stakeholders
• Provide service information, regulatory guidance and enforcement for Oceanside's many developers and property owners

Examples of Duties

The Senior Environmental Specialist will be administering large scale and complex environmental projects; coordinating and overseeing major functions of projects and related activities; coordinating work with various agencies and groups for planning and development of programs as they relate to assigned environmental projects; coordinating communication and projects with various City departments and personnel, governmental and private agencies, consultants, contractors, vendors and the general public; conducting field studies to collect data; interpreting departmental policies and applicable federal, state, and local laws, and establishing procedures; forecasting and establishing budgets; creating schedules for completing assigned tasks or projects; monitoring approved budget, expenditures and recommending adjustments as necessary; participating in the writing and administration of grants; participating in the selection and supervision of staff; providing work direction, guidance and technical assistance to others; coordinating, assigning and reviewing work as required; supervising and participating in the writing and evaluation of technical bid specifications for environmental service contracts; representing the City, function or special management department at various meetings and conferences and on committees; attending and chairing meetings; preparing and presenting formal and informal presentations to internal staff, external organizations, city council, commissions and boards, and community members; keeping department management apprised of the status of department programs and the department's ability to meet regulatory requirements; monitoring and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; planning, developing and conducting program outreach and promotional activities for assigned programs; developing or directing development of information, outreach and educational materials; making presentations to community, neighborhood, business and school groups on assigned programs; planning and carrying out initiatives to encourage public participation in program activities; developing, writing, reviewing, presenting and maintaining a variety of reports, documents, correspondence and records related to assigned programs; drafting correspondence to other departments and state and federal regulatory agencies; maintaining and overseeing maintenance of accurate, complete and current records; keeping informed of new regulations, pending legislation and trends in environmental issues that impact department programs and processes; preparing annual compliance reports; communicating with regulatory agencies; preparing complex reports, memos, and correspondence; and performing related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles, theories, methods and techniques of natural resources management, environmental protection, storm water, watershed management, sustainability and site assessment and remediation.
• Principles and practices of municipal storm water and/or solid waste laws and legal terminology.
• Principles, practices and methods of program administration and organizational analysis.
• Principles and techniques of workload management and coordination.
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of public outreach and involvement, including conducting presentations and public engagement.
• Water conservation issues.
• Public relations principles.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Preparing clear and concise reports.
• Local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to environmental regulations.

Ability to:

• Manage large, complex and politically sensitive projects and contracts including budgets, schedules and quality of work product.
• Perform difficult and complex technical research and analysis of environmental issues or problems, evaluating alternatives and recommending or adopting effective courses of action.
• Understand and apply laws, regulations, ordinances and policies applicable to assigned program responsibilities.
• Understand, interpret and respond to internal and external customer needs and expectations.
• Supervise and evaluate the work of professional consultants, contractors and designated staff, as assigned.
• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Speak clearly and effectively before diverse audiences and groups.
• Analyze data and draw logical conclusions.
• Administer enforcement actions in legal framework of notices, hearings, citations, adjudications and criminal proceedings.
• Deliver oral presentations.
• Gather, organize, interpret and record information accurately.
• Interpret and explain City environmental control policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.

Experience and Training

Experience: A minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental science, environmental policy, resource management, physical science, engineering, or related field.

Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental, biological, physical, chemical or earth science or a closely related field.

License/Certificates: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Depending on assignment, possession of or the ability to obtain, within one year of date of hire, one of the following certifications:

• Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ); OR
• Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC); OR
• California Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), OR
• Erosion, Sediment and Storm Water Inspector CESSWI) Certificate, OR
• Solid Waste Association of North America Certification, OR
• National Registry of Environmental Professionals in Environmental Profession, Environmental Science or Natural Resources
• Water Efficiency Practitioner Certification

Working Conditions and Selection Process

Environmental Conditions: Office and field environment; travel from site to site; extensive public contact; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, electrical energy, radiant energy, toxic materials, and inclement weather conditions; work in or with water and wastewater.

Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; exposure to computer screens, speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret specifications and regulations.

Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process may include any combination of written examination, oral board examination, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on the eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check (including fingerprinting) and a medical examination. Drug screening may be required.

RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

CITY OF OCEANSIDE

Management Employees of the City of Oceanside (Non-Safety)

Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits

Retirement
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of PEPRA in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options

• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical:

• Kaiser HMO
• Blue Shield HMO
• Blue Shield PPO

Dental

• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)

Vision:

• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.

• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone

Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D ING premiums are paid for by City.

Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:

• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:

• 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life & AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid.

Supplemental Life Insurance through Voya:

• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:

• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $2,850
• Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $5,000

Deferred Compensation - 457 and Roth IRA through Mission Square:

• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $22,500 for 2023; over age 50 may contribute an additional $7,500
• Roth IRA - Maximum post-taxed amount is $6,500; over age 50 may contribute an additional $1,000

Hyatt Legal

• Telephone and office consultations are avialable for an unlimited number fo personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.

GotZoom Student Loan Relief

• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529

• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary's college savings with tax benefits.

Leave Benefits

Vacation:
All accurals are based on 80 hours in a paid status
1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours
6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours
years: 6.65 hours
16+ years: 8.19 hours

Maximum accrual:

• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after

Holidays:

• New Years' Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year
• Exempt employees receive 50 hours of Executive leave per fiscal year

Sick Leave:

Accrual: 12 days per year

Max accrual: Unlimited

Annual pay off: Up to 50% based on annual usage

Sick Leave pay off at separation:

• Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:

• Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $2,000 per fiscal year

Certification Pay

Determined by the head of the department, a $0.87 per hour will be given to employees with certain State of California Certifications on an as needed basis.

Bilingual and Notary Pay

Bilingual: $1.73 per hour for eligible employees

Notary: $.58 per hour for eligible employees

Safety Shoes

The City will provide reimbursement up to $150 towards the purchase price of safety shoes to employees who are required to wear such shoes on the job.

Uniforms

The City will provide an annual uniform allowance, for any public safety employee required to wear one, in the amount of $475.

Term of Compensation Plan

Effective July 1, June 30, 2024

This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.

01

Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental, biological, physical, chemical or earth science or a closely related field? If Yes, attach a copy of your degree to your application.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental science, environmental policy, resource management, physical science, engineering, or related field. If no you do not qualify for this position.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

04

Select the certifications you possess. Please attach a copy of your certification(s) to your application.

• CPSWQ Professional in Storm Water Quality
• CPESC Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control
• REHS Calif Registered Environmental Health Specialist
• CESSWI Erosion, Sediment & Storm Water Inspector
• Solid Waste Association of North America Certification
• National Registry of Environmental Professionals in Environmental Profession, Environmental Science or Natural Resources

05

Describe your professional experience in environmental policy, regulations, analysis, research or outreach. Include in your response, employer/agency name(s), dates of employment (From - To), and the duties you performed.

06

Describe your work experience in performing analytical work, including the type of work performed and the types of related reports, presentations, or analyses that accompanied the work. Please include dates of employment (From - To).

07

Describe your experience in writing and reviewing a variety of reports including compliance reports to state and federal regulatory agencies. Please include dates of employment (From - To).

08

Describe your experience working with and/or preparing contracts, budgets, Requests for Proposals (RFP), or bids. Please include dates (From - To) for each aspect.

09

Describe your work experience with grants, including grant writing, documentation, budgeting, and monitoring for compliance. Please include dates (From - To).

10

Describe your work experience as a supervisor or lead worker. Include the number of employees you supervised and the duration of the assignment, include dates of (From - To).

11

Describe your experience in public speaking and giving presentations. Include in your response a brief description of your presentation(s) and the types of groups you have given presentations to (i.e., community groups, City Council, schools, committees, etc.) Please include dates (From - To).

12

Describe your experience in creating community engagement campaigns for watershed protection, and/or climate action, or a related field. Include in your response your role in the development of the campaign and what specific materials you created such as websites, fliers, articles, and social media. Please include dates of employment (From - To).

13

Please list any additional qualifications you have. (Certifications, training, etc.)

14

CERTIFICATE OF APPLICANT: I certify that all statements and information provided in this application and any attachments are true, and I understand that any false or misleading statements or omissions of material facts may forfeit right to employment considerations by the City of Oceanside.

• Yes
• No

Required Question