Environmental Program Manager

The City of San José's Environmental Services Department (ESD) is an award-winning department with a mission to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve our health, environment, and economy. The Department is a national leader in managing garbage and recycling services; watershed protection and pollution prevention; municipal drinking water and recycled water; sustainability initiatives; and the operation and infrastructure improvements of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José. 

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! 

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X, Facebook, and Instagram, and San José Environmental Services on LinkedIn. 

About the Watershed Protection Division

The Watershed Protection Division provides services that support the City's efforts to protect water quality in local creeks and the Bay. These services are integral to the City's management of both wastewater and stormwater. The Watershed Protection Division is comprised of 80 employees across four programs: Industrial Pretreatment, Environmental Enforcement, Stormwater Management, and Emergency Management & Real Estate.

The Stormwater Management Section is tasked to oversee the City’s implementation and compliance with the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit and consists of three teams: Trash Load Reduction, New and Redevelopment, and Monitoring and Pollutants of Concern. This program coordinates with over 10 departments to ensure the City meets stormwater compliance mandates set forth by the State’s San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Also, the team participates in a Countywide consortium called Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program where staff collaborate with other agencies throughout the Valley and Bay region. 

The Trash Load Reduction team coordinates with multiple City departments, local non-profit partners, regional peers, and the public to implement the Stormwater Permit provisions related to several programs that includes full trash capture, on land visual assessment, direct discharge, private lands, etc.. This team works closely alongside with other departments to ensure Stormwater Permit compliance is met.

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill One (1) full-time Environmental Program Manager vacancy in the Watershed Protection Division.

Salary range(s) for this classification is $139,077.12 - $174,174.00

This salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Typical duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Utilize creative and strategic thinking to determine ways to achieve and maintain 100% compliance with multiple assigned Stormwater Permit, Grant, and other regulatory requirements.
• Ensures that work products and action plans are in support of departmental and City goals, objectives, and mandates; ensures the implementation of Federal and State regulations for the City.
• Gather and analyze multiple data sets from interdepartmental and interagency partners to optimize City operations in support of regulatory compliance.

• Leads staff by example and vision; ensures staff involvement in a broad range of decision-making and encourages accountability and results oriented processes.
• Develops and oversees assigned budget and associated fiscal operations which includes, grant funding, contract negotiations and lease agreements; oversees budget implementation and on-going administration; projects and forecasts funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors approved budget, recommending adjustments as necessary.

• Collaborate regularly with other City Departments and/or City management to ensure compliance and/or program alignment.
• Interface with the public and collaborate with non-profit partners.
• Implement and manage the City’s Adopt A Storm Drain program.

• Provide oversight and support to Stormwater Permit and other regulatory requirements, such as Cost Reporting, Asset Management, Public Outreach and Education, grant application and management, etc.

• Build and implement field data collection and assessment programs, perform in-field assessments of trash loading and trash management actions.
• Assist in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, and providing highly responsible professional and technical advice.
• Perform complex work which requires exercising sound judgment and applying professional knowledge and skills to programs, policies, and problems that have Division-wide implications.
• Serve as a representative to outside agencies and organizations; participates in professional groups and committees.
• Serve as a technical and professional resource, providing data analysis and support reflective of the City’s concerns and interests.
• Monitor and stay abreast of new trends, laws, regulations, and innovations; researching emerging products and enhancements including integrated systems solutions and their applicability to stormwater quality regulatory requirements;
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings and public meetings. Provide coordination with regional stakeholders and City departments
• Mentor and manage interdepartmental and interagency work groups.

• Potential to lead a team of direct reports.

If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment. 

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental sciences, public or business administration, or a closely related field 

Experience: five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in overseeing and administering environmental programs, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Form 700 requirement 

This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

• Computer Skills - Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

• Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

• Fiscal Management – Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

• Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.
   
• Management - Evaluates priorities to ensure the 'true' top priorities are handled satisfactorily; sets clear goals for the employees and the work unit.

• Political Skills – In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.

• Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jessica Delgado at [email protected]