Introduction
THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
The Water Utilities Department is currently conducting a salary and compensation study to maintain standing as a regionally competitive water and wastewater employer. The results of this study may impact compensation rates in fiscal year 2024/25.
About Oceanside’s Water Utilities Department & Green Oceanside
The Oceanside Water Utilities Department is an innovative and forward-looking organization whose goal it is to ensure ongoing access to safe & affordable drinking water, reliable wastewater collection & treatment services, and environmental sustainability by maintaining top talent, resource resiliency, dependability, and system efficiency.
The Department is accepting applications for two current vacancies and potential future vacancies for the position of Environmental Specialist I in the Solid Waste & Recycling (Zero Waste) Program and in the Watershed Protection Program. These programs are a part of the City’s innovative Green Oceanside environmental division whose staff is responsible for administering their respective initiatives.
The Environmental Specialist I is the entry-level classification in the series. Prior experience with environmental programs is desirable but can be substituted by a willingness to learn and excel in these divisions.
About the positions
Green Oceanside is seeking an environmentally-focused problem solver who is motivated to run the day-to-day programs within this dynamic group in the increasingly regulated zero waste industry and the sensitive watershed protection field. The ideal candidate is someone who can exercise creative initiative, implement solutions to complex problem-solving and communicate with the public in an outreach-centric role.
You should be excited about this opportunity because you will…
- Incrementally work towards the city’s long-term environmental objectives
- Promote relevant programs & strategies including best management practices
- Affect change in official city policy by assisting the preparation of memos, staff reports, agreements and documentation for a variety of initiatives and services
- Be part of a team who is passionate about sustainability, economic development and seeking opportunities for improvement
- Promote and oversee best management practices in Oceanside’s development and land improvements
- Provide public-facing customer service to garner support for Green Oceanside goals, regulations & objectives
- Provide service information and regulatory enforcement for Oceanside’s many solid waste customers and real estate developers
We will also rely on you for…
Remaining current on new developments in your respective field, water utilities, and public works; Partaking in contract administration and enforcement actions.
If this sounds like you, keep reading! Examples of Duties
This is the entry-level class in the Environmental Specialist series. This class is distinguished from the Environmental Specialist II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to this position, including routine solid waste and recycling inspections, training, enforcement, program development and implementation, contract administration, grant administration, complaint resolution, customer interface, data tracking, report writing, and environmental education and outreach within the Green Oceanside campaign. Work is reviewed in progress and/or upon completion for accuracy and completeness.
Educates residents, multifamily tenants and property owners, visitors, businesses and the public on solid waste and recycling practices, zero waste principles and applicable regulations, and coordinates enforcement actions when necessary; develops, implements monitors and analyzes citizen participation programs and community environmental education and outreach content for various platforms including webpages, social media, brochures, magazines and flyers; plans and conducts environmentally-focused community events and public workshops; remains informed on federal and state solid waste and recycling legislation and regulations, works with customers, stakeholders and City staff to resolve questions, problems and complaints related to environmental compliance; provides training on environmental programs and regulations; performs solid waste and recycling programming with increasingly independent authority, with an emphasis on guidance for zero waste, waste reduction, food recovery, recycling, composting and disposal best management practices; provides information and assistance on environmental ordinances and policies to customers, businesses and the development community; assists with ordinance development as needed to comply with State and Federal regulations and implement the Zero Waste and SB1383 Compliance Plan; participates in permitting and implementation processes as they relate to solid waste and recycling, regulatory compliance, and the City’s Zero Waste Plan and SB 1383 Compliance Plan; contract administration; applies for and administers grants for environmental improvement, regulatory compliance and educational projects; prepares State-mandated reports involving analysis and interpretation of technical data, creating charts and databases and report writing; conducts public speaking when necessary; deals with the public tactfully to maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of duties; effectively utilizes software/computer applications to fulfill duties of the position, e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation applications; communicates clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing; may be called upon to speak at various City and intergovernmental committees, commissions and City Council meetings; understands and carries out oral and written instructions.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Data management, organization and analysis methods;
- Modern principles and practices of environmental policy, environmental studies, sustainability, zero waste, solid waste, recycling, organics management, and public administration;
- Principles and practices of zero waste, solid waste and recycling laws and legal terminology;
- Principles and practices of public relations, communications and customer service;
- Applicable state and federal laws
Ability to:
- Learn and perform environmental monitoring and tracking methods and field analyses to detect, characterize and resolve compliance issues with applicable solid waste and recycling laws, programs and services;
- Learn proper use of monitoring, administration and reporting systems commonly used to collect environmental compliance data related to waste and recycling laws.
- Conduct research and prepare complete and accurate analyses, reports and recommendations on a variety of environmental issues;
- Design and implement large-scale environmental outreach projects including solid waste, recycling and organics service roll-outs, social media campaigns and public workshops;
- Utilize computer systems to enter, analyze, present and retrieve data;
- Interpret and apply applicable codes and ordinances;
- Exercise sound judgment and common sense;
- Lean to apply procedures, techniques, and interpret and make decisions related to job duties;
- Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
- Read, understand, interpret and apply laws, policies, rules, contracts,
- guidelines and professional practices;
- Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work
- Speak clearly and effectively before diverse audiences and groups and work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders, contractors, and the public.
Experience and Training
Experience: Six months of experience in environmental policy, environmental outreach, natural resource management, communications, public administration or a related field.
Experience with solid waste, recycling, organics management, sustainability, food recovery and food systems, communications, community planning, project management, or any other combination of environmental compliance or public administration experience is highly desirable.
Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental policy; public policy; environmental studies; data management, resource management; public administration or a related field.
License/Certificates: Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.
Working Conditions and Selection Process
Environmental Conditions: Office and field environment; travel from site to site; extensive public contact; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, electrical energy, radiant energy, toxic materials, and inclement weather conditions; work in or with water, stormwater/urban runoff and wastewater; exposure to chemical materials and/or hazardous waste in public right of way.
Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; physical condition necessary for walking/hiking into waterway areas with unstable ground surfaces while carrying equipment not exceeding 30 lbs.; exposure to computer screens, speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret specifications and regulations.
Selection Process: All properly completed applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application materials will result in disqualification. The selection process may include any combination of a written exam, oral board exam, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on the Eligibility List which will remain valid for a minimum of six months.
Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check (including fingerprinting) and a medical examination. Drug screening may be required.
RESUMES ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS, BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.
CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS, SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
