Senior Environmental Resources Specialist (OC Infrastructure Programs)

County of Orange•Orange County, CA

About The Position

OC Public Works is looking for an experienced Senior Environmental Resources Specialist with functional expertise in the area of Regulatory Permitting, River/Habitat Restoration, and Biological Compliance. The Regulatory Permitting Team, within OC Infrastructure Programs, oversees the permitting of the Capital Improvement Program, as well as the Maintenance Improvement Program and routine maintenance for OCPW. The Senior Environmental Resources Specialist is expected to work with other teams throughout OCPW and other County agencies to ensure that all of our work is conducted in a manner that minimizes impacts to the environment, seeks opportunities to enhance the environment, and ensures that all activities comply with the various environmental legislation.

Requirements

Six (6) years of experience in the field of Regulatory Permitting or other relevant environmental field
Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, environmental engineering, watershed management, ecology, geology or a related degree
Ability to interpret and understand federal, state, and local legislation, policies, regulations, and issues that pertain to the assignment
Preparation of informational, statistical, scientific, technical and compliance reports
Knowledge of river restoration and streambank erosion repair techniques
Ability to read and comprehend technical documents and specifications
Knowledge of fluvial geomorphological principles relating to channel stability and fluvial dynamics
Contract management
Knowledge of California native plants, native plant communities, non-native and invasive plants; and proper planting and irrigation techniques (relevant out-of-state experience will be considered)
Knowledge of Southern California fish and wildlife species
Ability to interpret topographic maps and aerial photographs and use GIS/GPS and/or other aerial software applications
Ability to use ESRI ArcGIS products
Familiarity with construction drawings and specifications related to biological issues
Knowledge of standard habitat impact minimization and protection techniques
Resource agency negotiation, permitting, and mitigation experience
Ability to identify, research, evaluate, estimate, accurately interpret, and apply technical data and policy information
Effectively identify and use department resources to resolve issues
Analyze problems and adopt effective courses of action
Proactively plan and align all undertakings with organizational vision
Effectively manage competing priorities while meeting established deadlines
Demonstrate innovation and creativity with a solution focus
Ability to effectively communicate complex topics, both verbally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language, to a variety of audiences of varying levels of understanding
Ability to direct efforts of staff who are not direct reports, including outside contractors/consultants to meet project/program objectives
Maintain open and productive dialogue to facilitate resolutions, improvements, and inclusion
Review and check documents for accuracy and quality of work and convey feedback and direction in an effective manner
Promote open, candid information sharing across organizational boundaries
Ability to resolve conflicts in a positive and constructive manner
Work independently and maintain flexibility among changing assignments and priorities
Anticipate and minimize unexpected issues and situations by promptly resolving and addressing the issue and/or situation with evidence-based decision-making strategies
Implement/apply logical and creative thought processes in developing solutions according to written/oral specifications and/or instructions
Effectively and efficiently produce results consistent with program objectives
By date of appointment, possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher is required, which must be maintained throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Designing and/or implementing river restoration techniques
Environmentally sustainable erosion control measures (Bio-engineering/Engineering with Nature)

Responsibilities

Writing and reviewing regulatory permits (Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, Clean Water Act Section 404 Permits and Section 401 Certification and Coastal Development Permits)
Negotiating with regulators
Developing habitat mitigation plans
Conducting environmental compliance in the field (ideally including conducting bird nesting surveys, as well as habitat and aquatic delineation surveys)
With CEQA and various other environmental regulations, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish & Game Code, Clean Water Act, and applicable Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCP)/Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP)
Reviewing construction and operational plans and documenting and advising on impact avoidance and minimization measures for compliance with regulatory permit conditions and mitigation measures and incorporate restoration measures where feasible
Preparing routine reports documenting habitat mitigation area status as required by regulatory permits
Training OCPW staff in identifying and appropriate avoidance of native habitats and species in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or permits
Closely monitoring every phase of construction at project sites for compliance with regulatory permits and plans and environmental legislation
Creating maps, exhibits, reports, and presentations to inform decision makers, state and federal resource agency staff, including use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or other aerial mapping software
In designing and/or implementing river restoration techniques (highly desirable, but not essential)
With environmentally sustainable erosion control measures (Bio-engineering/Engineering with Nature) (highly desirable, but not essential)