County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

This series specification describes classifications which contain three options, Environmental, Water Resources and Arboriculture. Incumbents in the Environmental option conduct environmental studies, preparing and processing the associated documentation ensuring that projects and operations of the Public Works Agency comply with local, State, and Federal environmental laws and regulations; and perform other related duties. Incumbents of the Water Resources option perform duties including development and implementation of watershed management programs, processing of basic hydrologic data and information to ensure proper management of the Agency's water resources and water resource projects; plan, implement and lead programs to reduce storm water pollution; and perform other related duties. Incumbents of the Arboriculture option conduct urban forestry and closely related tree maintenance activities; and perform other related duties.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Junior Environmental Compliance Specialist

The Junior Environmental Compliance Specialist is the entry-level class in the Environmental Compliance Specialist series. Under close supervision, incumbents are expected to learn relevant laws and duties in order to assist Agency staff in achieving compliance of Public Works activities with environmental, storm water quality or arboriculture laws and regulations. Junior Environmental Compliance Specialists are expected to promote to the next higher class of Assistant Environmental Compliance Specialist after one year of experience and demonstration of the necessary knowledge and ability to work with greater independence.

Environmental Option:

Incumbents are expected to learn and apply environmental laws and regulations; conduct environmental analysis of Public Works Agency projects and operations; and prepare environmental documents and permit applications in concert with other staff and consultants.

Water Resources Option:

Incumbents are expected to learn relevant water resource laws and policies to ensure compliance of Public Works and County activities. They also will be engaged in a variety of activities in the water resources field, including but not limited to field work, attending meetings as the County’s representative, consultation with other agencies, coordinating consultant work, and budget preparation.


Arboriculture Option:

Incumbents are expected to learn to perform field tree inspections; investigate infractions and enforce compliance with County ordinances; collect and maintain data related to tree and sidewalk information; respond and provide resolution to citizens tree maintenance service requests involving extensive phone and direct public contact; provide outreach education programs to schools and community groups.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

Environmental Option:

1. Conducts environmental impact and mitigation studies involving the input of other technical disciplines, public works engineers, staff of other agencies, consultants, and the public; organizes, writes and processes environmental documents for public works projects.

2. Organizes, writes and processes environmental compliance documents for public works projects and operations.

3. Provides technical input to project design to avoid or mitigate adverse environmental effects and ensure compliance with environmental law and regulations; acts as consultant on environmental matters to all agency staff; acquires necessary permits and assists in compliance with environmental regulations.

4. Attends and represents the Agency in inter-agency and public meetings concerning environmental matters.

5. Coordinates and directs the work of consultants conducting support environmental studies.

6. Provides technical knowledge and acts as lead worker to assigned subordinate staff; reviews, coordinates and assigns workload; prepares work load projections; and advises management on staffing needs; recommends hire of consultants; represents Environmental Services Section at Departmental Staff meetings; coordinates with other parts of the Agency to resolve conflicts and establish procedures.

7. Reviews environmental legislation for possible impact on public works projects; assists in preparing and revising agency and County ordinance for compliance with environmental regulations.


Water Resources Option:

1. Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of a staff of professionals and para-professionals engaged in water resources activities; prepares workload projections; advises management on staffing needs; recommends hiring of departmental staff; coordinates with other parts of the Agency to resolve conflicts and establish procedures.

2. Leads multi-faceted studies with water quality and/or watershed management. These studies may involve such activities as the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of a wide variety of data including, but not limited to, precipitation, surface water, ground water, and geological data, geomorphologic studies, fisheries, and habitat assessments.

3. Reviews water resources related legislation for possible impact on public works and the County. Answers questions regarding policies, ordinance, Federal and State water quality regulations, hydrology and flood plan management and non-point source pollution.

4. Plans, organizes, and reviews or personally does the design and preparation of reports, drawings, and specifications for water resources investigations or storm water quality improvement programs or projects.

5. Administers contracts with consultants, state, Federal, and local agencies and prepares grant proposals for State and Federal funding.

6. Works with regulatory and other agencies to plan, coordinate, and implement storm water quality programs.

7. Responds to and investigates environmental complaints and incidents; provides information and technical assistance to regulatory agencies and concerned public and private organizations in resolving environmental issues.

8 Coordinates consultant contracts and interaction with cities, agencies and other professionals.

Arboriculture Option:

1. Responds to public requests for tree service and resolves complaints using extensive phone and direct public contact; notifies petitioners of proposed response to requests.

2. Provides information regarding County ordinance provisions related to tree maintenance activities; prepares permits for tree maintenance activities by contractors and homeowners.

3. Performs field inspection to ensure compliance with County development conditions, ordinances and policies related to trees; investigates infractions and enforces ordinances.

4. Inspects trees before and after planting to assure trees are planted, tied and staked properly; inspects trees for disease, recommending trim or removal when necessary.

5. Researches, prepares and maintains statistical data and written reports for tree service complaints and maintenance activities; assists in preparing, assembling and keeping records of work performed by staff.

6. Assists in developing specifications for contracts of tree trimming, tree removals, sidewalk replacement and other related contract or permit work; researches and analyzes new products and maintenance techniques; troubleshoots and tracks performance of new techniques, tools and equipment.

7. Provides staff support and coordination of public relations program with other departments and agencies; develops and administers community outreach and educational programs.

8. Makes presentations before the Board of Supervisors, County staff, special interest groups and community groups.

9. Attends and represents the Agency at various night and weekend community meetings and events.

10. Serves as the liaison between Agency staff, County staff and community groups.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Junior Environmental Compliance Specialist
Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in the biological, physical, or environmental sciences; engineering or a related field such as hydrology, soils, urban or regional planning, natural resources, geography, environmental studies, ecology, horticulture or forestry.

License:

All levels in the class series must possess a valid State of California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Certification – Arboriculture Option:

Possession of a current Arborist certificate from the International Society of Arboriculture.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• College level natural and physical science.
• Basic photography, drafting and graphic arts.
• Tree diseases, pests and methods of treatment.
• Inspection techniques.
• Principles and practices of environmental compliance.
• Local, State and Federal environmental laws, and/or surface water quality, and regulations and their implementation as they pertain to the Public Works Agency and Alameda County.
• Methods of environmental assessment and mitigation, and/or water quality assessment.
• Basic engineering design and construction, contracts and agreements.
• Public Works Agency policies and procedures and the administration of local government.
• General principles of geology, hydrology, climatology, ecology, archeology, biology, botany, chemistry, arboriculture, horticulture or urban forestry.
• Storm water and drainage facilities.
• Basic word processing and spread sheet computer use.
• Customer service/public relations practices.

Ability to:

• Research, organize and write clear and concise reports and correspondence (may include environmental impact reports).
• Read and interpret topographic maps, construction and engineering drawings, and technical reports in a variety of fields.
• Conduct special studies and field investigations independently or as part of an inter-disciplinary team.
• Coordinate environmental planning, habitat restoration, natural resources management and conservation planning activities and services.
• Request, coordinate, and evaluate input from public agencies, private organizations, and individuals.
• Make oral presentations before groups.
• Use effective interpersonal skills to handle questions and criticism from various sources.
• Reach collaborative solutions, using problem-solving skills.
• Review and interpret legislation and regulations.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees and the public.
• Conduct research and analysis of projects.
• Coordinate, organize, prioritize and schedule activities.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TAT:pb/10/87/Revised/Retitled
TAT:pb/8/91
HC:tc/1/92/Revised
RE:lm - Revised: 12/96
RE:cla - Revised 4/97
Old document: 0307h.doc
New document: Jobspecs/2067-2068-2069
ys/1/01
CSC Date: 8/6/97
RC:pf Revised 7/1/03
CSC Date: 12-22-04
RC:pf Revise/Retitle 2/22/05
[Old title: Engineer Scientist Series]
CSC Date: 8/31/2005

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.