Assistant/Associate/Environmental Services Specialist – Environmental Services Department

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 Water Resources Division

The Water Resources Division is comprised of three sections: Municipal Water System, South Bay Water Recycling, and Operations and Maintenance. The Water Resources Division provides potable water service through the Municipal Water System to the communities of Evergreen, North San José/Alviso, Edenvale, and Coyote. The Water Resources Division also provides recycled water supplies through the South Bay Water Recycling system within the cities of San José, Santa Clara, and Milpitas. South Bay Water Recycling includes 165 miles of pipeline and facilities, including four pump stations, three reservoirs, and Retail Agency Operations and Maintenance activities for over 1,100 individual customer connections. In addition, the Water Resources Division also implements water conservation efforts.  

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Assistant/Associate/Environmental Services Specialist (Water Resources and Compliance Specialist) vacancy in the Water Resources Division. 

This is a fully onsite position located at the Environmental Services Department’s Municipal Water Office at 3025 Tuers Road, San Jose, CA 95121. 

The salary ranges for these classifications are:

• Assistant Environmental Services Specialist: $86,726.64 - $105,399.84
• Associate Environmental Services Specialist: $100,507.68 - $122,107.44
• Environmental Services Specialist: $110,816.16 - $134,643.60

The salary ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

The Water Resources & Compliance Specialist will assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of programs/policies/practices that ensure compliance with regulations including the effective execution of Water Resources’ Cross-Connection Control Program and O&M safety and Hazardous Materials management.

The Water Resources & Compliance Specialist will provide expertise and experience with program implementation, policy interpretation, including performing inspections, trainings, and other compliance program elements.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Reporting to and supporting the O&M Environmental Compliance Program Manager in planning and implementing programs and projects to ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and safety standards. Responsibilities include researching and analyzing Cross-Connection Control Handbook regulations; developing and recommending policies and procedures for outreach and hazard assessments; researching and implementing efficient operational processes and workflows; implementing and maintaining data management systems to support compliance tracking, reporting, and program operations; and supporting special projects focused on implementing compliance and emergency response programs and policies. 
• Coordinating and collaborating with the city’s Cross Connection Specialist to ensure regulatory compliance databases are reporting complete and accurate data
• Perform technical and field inspection duties to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, permits, and standards related to potable and recycled water. 
• Review construction and engineering plans for compliance with recycled water, cross-connection, and environmental regulations. 
• Schedule and conduct Safety and Hazardous Materials audits of sites such as O&M headquarters and pump stations.
• Assist with the updates of permits and management plans related to safety and environmental programs—including, but not limited to, Hazardous Materials, Hazardous Waste, Stormwater, SPCC Plans, Emergency Response Plans, and Emergency Action Plans. Responsibilities also include maintaining and preparing environmental compliance reports and records and representing the city during regulatory inspections.

Experience with the development, implementation, and maintenance of Environmental Compliance and Safety programs. Including but not limited to:

• Support actions and plans to be developed to address the new Cross-Connection Control Handbook regulations and knowledge of public administrative program and policy implementation 
• Hazardous Materials/Hazardous Waste Storage and Disposal
• Applicable knowledge of field inspections, incident investigations, information preservation, and reporting procedures
• Coursework or experience in environmental compliance or related field is desirable.
• Backflow testing and Cross-Connection Control certifications are desirable.

Education and Experience

Assistant Environmental Services Specialist

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, AND
• One (1) year (2,080 hours) of experience developing, promoting, administering, and/or participating in the implementation of environmental programs (e.g.: programs in air quality, integrated waste management, biology, agriculture, energy, forestry or parks, habitat restoration, wastewater, water resources, stormwater, archaeology, geology, resource conservation, industrial or environmental health and safety, or any program emphasizing environmental sustainability or environmental regulatory compliance).
• Relevant experience in environmental services programs typically includes: preparing outreach/educational materials, conducting survey work, tracking and monitoring deliverables, coordinating special events, promoting programs, implementing new programs, policy development, planning and permitting, grants or contracts administration, analyzing data and creating reports, and/or tracking budgets.

Associate Environmental Services Specialist

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, AND
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs in one or more of the areas described under Assistant Environmental Services Specialist experience.

Environmental Services Specialist

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, AND
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs in one or more of the areas described under Assistant Environmental Services Specialist experience, including one (1) year of experience leading people or projects.

Acceptable Substitution

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs.
• Additional years of experience in developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs may be substituted for the bachelor's degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

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.

Analytical Thinking – Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Computer Skills – Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: Adobe Acrobat, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, MS SharePoint, 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.

Initiative – Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

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

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Communication Skills – Communicates and listens effectively and responds in an timely, effective, positive and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, current; well-organized, legible, concise, neat, and in proper grammatical form responds to statements and comments of others in a way that reflects understanding of the content and the accompanying emotion; asks clarifying questions to assure understanding of what the speaker intended, ensures consistent communication takes place within area of responsibility.

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 Ginger Quijano at [email protected].