Environmental Specialist
About The Position
The Environmental Specialist serves as an advanced, journey-level technical expert responsible for planning, conducting, coordinating, and monitoring complex environmental studies and projects for the Metropolitan Water District. At this recognized specialist level, you will be responsible for ensuring compliance with source and treated water regulations with a strong focus on invasive mussel control and emerging regulations. You will spearhead the agency's strategic response to invasive mussels in source waters and ensure compliance with relevant environmental and water quality regulations, California Department of Fish and Wildlife mandates, and invasive species frameworks. You will also be responsible for tracking and ensuring compliance with environmental permitting and pesticide regulations, considerations for raw water releases, contributing to agency responses to federal and state regulatory developments, hazardous waste management, various aspects of source water protection, and preparing reports, response plans, and research proposals. Daily duties include monitoring pertinent environmental laws, codes, regulations, and pending litigation that impact operations, as well as drafting actionable, high-level strategies and responses to address operational requirements and regulatory developments.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and six years of relevant experience.
- OR two years in a MWD Associate Environmental Specialist classification.
- OR master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and four years of relevant experience.
- Relevant Experience is defined as: experience with environmental planning analysis, preparation of relevant documentation, invasive species management and control, source water protection, project management, communication and coordination with regulatory and other external agencies.
- Valid California Class C Driver’s License or equivalent ( at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.
- Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not have or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment-based immigration case).
Responsibilities
- Lead agency response to invasive mussels in source water infrastructure.
- Develop control strategies to prevent and mitigate infrastructure and biological impacts.
- Coordinate monitoring programs for invasive species.
- Ensure compliance with state and federal water quality, environmental, and invasive species regulations.
- Coordinate complex studies regarding environmental planning and regulatory compliance.
- Track pertinent laws, regulations, codes, and pending litigation.
- Analyze operational impacts of emerging environmental policies and regulations on Metropolitan.
- Represent the agency in meetings with stakeholders and serve as point-of-contact with regulators and outside agencies.
- Communicate and coordinate with member agencies on relevant environmental and water quality issues.
- Travel to Metropolitan and other agencies’ field facilities may also be required for observation, planning, scoping, and sample collection.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.
- Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.
- Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System
- Tuition reimbursement
- Training and advancement opportunities
- Excellent working environment
- Public transportation reimbursements
- Hub of public transportation: rail, subway, buses, and taxis
- On-site fitness center
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
