Principal Environmental Specialist

Description

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, we'd love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect

We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving

We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability

We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning

We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety

We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Principal Environmental Specialist.

Under general direction, develops, implements, and manages the most complex programs, environmental studies, and field work activities in support of OC San’s environmental protection, monitoring, and compliance programs; performs methods development, improvement, and validation; coordinates preparation of and writes regulatory and technical reports; develops, recommends, and implements division policies and procedures; serves as program/project lead; formulates and implements changes to OC San’s ordinances and assigned programs, projects, and activities; and performs duties as assigned.

Specifically, as part of the Resource Protection Division in OC San’s pretreatment program, the Principal Environmental Specialist performs compliance and audit activities to ensure regulatory requirements are met, including evaluating laboratory analysis procedures/methods for influent/effluent wastewater samples, plant wastewater samples, and sludge; reviews and authorizes inspection reports and sampling data; develops and coordinates special projects often requiring complex field and scientific studies and investigations that involve oversight and providing direction to team members or coordinating outside services.

Duties include ensuring that OC San meets permit requirements and complies with new regulations from such authorities as the EPA; developing schedules and contributing to the preparation of major reports including the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports in accordance with OC San's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit; and preparing and conducting training.

This individual coordinates logistical and technical meetings with staff, public meetings, meetings with agencies with inter-jurisdictional agreements, meetings with the EPA and Regional Water Quality Control Board, and interfaces with legal counsel. This individual leads the other staff within the Resource Protection Division to administrate OC San's wastehauler program, including wastehauler station monitoring, procedures, investigation, permitting, and enforcement. This person also coordinates and handles day to day operations involving Source Control Inspection Environmental Technicians.

Qualifications & Requirements

The successful candidate will possess the following:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in biology, chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, marine biology, statistics, and/or quality assurance, or a related field.

2. Five (5) years of work experience in a testing laboratory, field collection environment, and/or related environmental compliance field.

3. Valid California Class C Driver’s License.

Desirable:

• Experience with principles and techniques of statistical sampling and analysis.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local water, wastewater, and safety laws, regulations, and standards and knowledge of wastewater treatment, associated processes, and practices and procedures of environmental crime investigation.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and to work effectively with a team.
• Project management experience and strong time management and organizational skills.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1

(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies)

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/careers

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Hiring Salary Range: $123,593.60 - $136,260.80/Year

(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

• Mobility to work in a laboratory and standard office setting and use laboratory and standard office equipment, including a computer; standing in work areas and walking between work areas is required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
• Mobility to work in the field and to take samples and conduct inspections at various OC San sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary access points; ability to operate a motor vehicle to travel to various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings.
• When assigned to work on OC San’s marine vessel, must be capable of working in wet, unstable conditions, at times while the vessel is under way to the next sampling location.
• Perform light to medium physical work; standing in work areas and walking between work areas, within treatment plants, and in the field and to conduct inspections and take samples is required.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 35 pounds.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 51 pounds, or heavier weights on an occasional basis, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; color vision to identify chemical and biological solvents and substances.
• Vision to inspect and operate equipment.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate laboratory and standard office equipment.
• Finger dexterity to operate and repair tools and equipment.

Environmental Elements

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Other Requirements

• May be required to work extended hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays when necessary.
• Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered “at-will”, are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve “at-will” and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
• Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
• Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.

Disaster Service Workers

All OC San employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the OC San requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Other Information

For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website . Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.

False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.

OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted. The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Vacation leave; eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday; sick leave; administrative leave; group life insurance; group disability insurance; group health insurance (employee contribution required), dependent coverage available, including medical, dental, and vision; a retirement* plan (Orange County Employees Retirement System) and the option of participating in a deferred compensation plan as well as other optional benefits. A credit union is available. Telecommuting (up to two days) depending on nature of the work, business need, and management approval. Benefits are subject to the Board of Directors' periodic determination (usually annually) and the meet and confer process, and are therefore subject to change. OC San makes a generous contribution toward the cost of these benefits.

* New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to the retirement benefit formula and provisions set forth by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA).

For more information on benefits, visit our website at https://www.ocsan.gov/about-us/jobs/employee-benefits

Closing Date/Time: 1/7/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• Orange County Sanitation District

Show more