Environmental Resources Specialist

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, westward through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin.  Placer is a great place to live, work, play and learn.  For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

The Department of Public Works is seeking an individual to assist in the permitting, planning, environmental compliance, and public outreach and education for the County’s solid waste and recycling programs, as well as related work in support of wastewater and water management programs.  Work will include analyzing and interpreting applicable laws and regulations; developing educational materials and messages; engaging with the public; facility permitting; program planning; ensuring compliance with California Environmental Quality Act; and preparing and reviewing technical reports.  A strong candidate will have experience in regulatory compliance, solid waste management, public outreach and education, be a motivated self-starter, and have excellent communication skills.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Professional benefits

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County’s Human Resources website.

To assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and compliance of the County’s solid waste management program, including solid waste reduction, recycling, composting, household hazardous waste program collection, and material recovery facility and landfill operations; to develop promotional and educational activities on waste reduction and other related subjects to ensure compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements; to prepare grant applications and process grant documents; and to assist in the administration of contracts.

Receives direction from other professional and management personnel.
 
May exercise functional and technical supervision over outside consultants, contract employees, and/or technical and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and compliance of the County’s solid waste reduction, recycling, composting, household hazardous waste programs, and material recovery facility and landfill operations.
• Research, compile, analyze and interpret information and data necessary to meet program objectives.
• Consult with department management staff to determine goals and objectives of the related programs; make recommendations for County integrated waste management programs and goals; conduct waste audits and make recommendations to reduce and recycle wastes.
• Measure the effectiveness of existing programs; assist in development and recommendation of new programs that target additional materials and populations, work closely with residents, community groups, local and regional public and private agencies/companies in coordination of solid waste program activities.
• Prepare grant applications and process grant documents including all progress and final payment reports; assist in the preparation of requests for proposal (RFP) and contract agreements including CEQA documents.
• Participate in the preparation, administration, monitoring and evaluation of contracts; participate in negotiating contracts with outside vendors, consultants or organizations; assist in monitoring fiscal and legal liabilities of the same.
• Analyze and review invoices, technical documents and reports, draft advertisements, articles, and public service announcements prepared by assigned staff; provide feedback and direction as needed; assist in the development of staff training programs; provide technical and/or specialized expertise to assigned clerical/technical staff; interpret regulations, ordinances, and policies to staff, consultants and the general public as needed. 
• Assist in the preparation, review and monitoring of program budgets; submit justifications for budget requests.
• Develop promotional and educational activities to promote public awareness and involvement in environmental issues; prepare informational materials for public and business outreach programs; assist in notifying and developing publicity for various programs; coordinate and deliver informative environmental health and safety resource presentations to groups comprised of residents, merchants, businesses and/or civic groups.
• Conduct solid waste assessments of businesses in order to develop recommendations designed to increase waste diversion; provide technical assistance to businesses, recyclers, schools, and residents; meet with merchants and attend community meetings and waste advisory meetings to report on activities.
• Prepare a variety of written communications including reports on activities and correspondence; oversee the preparation of graphic materials; prepare agendas for meetings; maintain program records.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding environmental issues including recycling and waste reduction programs; investigate and resolve complaints.
• Coordinate solid waste projects with other County departments to ensure compliance with elements of County General Plan and related community plans.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
 
Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible experience in solid waste management, recycling, land use or environmental health planning work, or a related field.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the knowledge and abilities indicated above. Typical courses may include urban, regional or environmental planning, science, environmental or civil engineering, or other related subject area. 

License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Knowledge of:

• California Integrated Waste Management Act.
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Local ordinances and regulations applicable to planning and implementing integrated waste management programs.
• Principles, practices and methods of solid waste facility program planning and administration.
• Principles, practices and methods used in public information programs.
• Principles and practices of environmental health and safety.
• Principles and practices of grant application preparation, project and contract administration, including budget management and basic accounting.
• Statistical research methods and data analysis techniques.
• Budgeting procedures and techniques associated with solid waste management programs.
• Computer systems and applications.
• Modern office practices, procedures and computer equipment and related applications. 

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job. Intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and solve problems; sit at desk for long periods of time; and stand at the counter to answer questions of the public.
• Intermittently walk, stand, kneel, climb and bend in the field; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; intermittently write or use a keyboard to communicate and occasionally lift moderate weight.
• Conduct research and analyze data relating to integrated waste management programs.
• Understand, interpret and apply laws, ordinances, regulations, complex rules and related procedures to program activities.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of program budget.
• Provide technical and functional supervision to assigned staff.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of plans and programs in achievement of goals and objectives.
• Prepare public education information and program materials to be presented to residents, businesses, schools and community groups.
• Assist in the preparation, negotiation and administration of contract agreements.
• Organize and coordinate the activities of public and private recycling programs.
• Prepare and complete grant applications for program funding including the monitoring of activities and preparation of appropriate reports in support of grants.
• Prepare clear, comprehensive and concise reports and correspondence.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Represent the County in meetings with other agencies and the general public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.