ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST
SALARY INFORMATION
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above based on position requirements and successful candidates qualifications subject to appropriate authorization.
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 July 11 2025 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 that comprises 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 Resourcesclick here.
For more information on OC Public Worksclick here.
For more information on the County of Orangeclick here.
THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Public Works has an exciting opportunity for multiple Environmental Resources Specialist (ERS) positions in the OC Monitoring & Data Assessment division of OC Environmental Resources.
The ERS serves as a lead for compliance projects/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.
The ERSs 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)
- Serve as an environmental data assessment lead supporting the preparation of informational reports for the public executive management and elected officials
- Administer the Countys 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 to assess surface water quality and aquatic habitat and determine the type and extent of analysis needed
- Lead and conduct field monitoring activities for a variety of environmental matrices (e.g. surface water and sediment) with stringent adherence to quality assurance/quality control guidelines
- Conduct technical reviews of reports research permits work plans etc. prepared by other entities
- Investigate water pollution incidents involving the release of pollutants impacting the storm drain system regional flood control channels and receiving waters
- 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.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelors degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in environmental science ecology geology or a related science field. The ideal candidates should have extensive knowledge understanding and experience (at least three (3) years of technical experience) with one or more of the following:
- Experience with municipal NPDES stormwater permits comprising complex requirements to protect and improve the quality of creeks streams and coastal waters at both watershed and regional scales;
- Implementation of surface water monitoring programs;
- Operate and maintain data management systems such as but not limited to a LIMS;
- Operation and maintenance of an Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time (ALERT) flood warning radio telemetry system.
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.
Technical knowledge Experience
- Knowledge of Federal State and County laws regulations and policies governing NPDES stormwater and TMDL compliance programs
- Ability to assist in preparing regulatory compliance reports to be submitted to State and Federal agencies
- 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 in a variety of environmental conditions
- 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
- 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 Countystaffcontractors regulatory agencies and thepublic
- Operate independently andcollaboratively
- Independently and/or with minimal guidance direct and manage outside consultant contracts to regulate and monitorbudgetary boundaries and meet deliverabledeadlines
- Plan organize and direct the work of others
Analytical Problem-Solving Skills
- Analyze problems and adopt an effective course ofaction
- Ability to research and identify information or data gaps and to seek subject matter experts and/or supplemental resources to make informeddecisions
- Demonstrate critical thinking creative problem solving and exercise appropriate judgmentin answering questions and releasinginformation
- 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 inwriting 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
Clickhereto 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.
Written Examination Multiple Choice Test (Weighted 100%):
A multiple-choice assessment will be conducted to evaluate the applicants knowledge and experience as it relates to the job. Only the most successful candidates will be referred to the Oral Practical Exam. Based on the Departments needs the assessment procedures above may be will be notified of any changes in the assessment procedures.
Eligible List
Once 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 Preference
The 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 clickhereto review the policy.