City and County of San Francisco

Principal Environmental Specialist (#5644)

$57.69-$70.10 Hourly / $9,999.00-$12,151.00 Monthly / $119,990.00-$145,808.00 Yearly


Definition

Under general direction, the Principal Environmental Specialist is responsible for managing environmental programs and projects in  distinct areas of specialty, such as Clean Air Programs, Energy Conservation Programs, Public Outreach and Education programs, Recycling Commercial and Residential Programs, and Toxics Reduction Programs. 

Positions in this class are responsible for managing environmental programs by planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating programs, projects and ordinances within the area of specialty; supervising staff;  interpreting and applying policies, laws and regulations; developing and administering budget for program area; monitoring expenditures; seeking and coordinating fundraising opportunities and preparing grant proposals; managing grant disbursement processes; directing contract processes; making public presentations and conducting outreach; participating in determining the organizational structure, staff assignments, service levels and administrative systems; writing letters, memos, reports, publications and other documents; managing and directing positive community relations; and assisting in policy formulation and implementation.

Distinguishing Features

Class 5644 Principal Environmental Specialist is distinguished from Class 5646 Senior Environmental Program Manager I, in that the latter manages multiple program areas and performs duties of a more difficult and complex nature.  Class 5644 Principal Environmental Specialist is distinguished from Class 5642 Senior Environmental Specialist in that the latter is not responsible for the management of program areas and performs duties of a less difficult and complex nature.

Supervision Exercised

Supervises assigned staff within the specialty area.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Manages environmental programs and/or projects by planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating environmental programs and/or projects within the specialty area; and developing and ensuring timely implementation of departmental goals, policies and strategic plans.

2. Supervises staff by planning, directing, and assigning work activities; promoting skills development and advancement through in-house training and effective use of employee training programs; and establishing and implementing a performance review system.

3. Interprets and applies policies, laws and regulations related to environmental programs and/or projects within the specialty area. May be assigned to draft or review local legislation on environmental matters.

4. Develops and administers budget for program area; monitors expenditures to ensure adherence to the approved budget; and assists in overseeing the department's financial long-term planning.

5. Seeks and coordinates fundraising opportunities and prepares grant proposals.

6. Manages grant making processes by developing Request for Proposals (RFP's) for distribution, selection of grant review committee members, oversight of RFP and grantee selection process.

7. Implements contract process by approving payments to grantees according to agency memorandum of understanding; tracks expenditures against approved budget; and provide technical assistance to grantees.

8. Makes public presentations and conducts outreach by developing working relationships and conducting presentations for community groups, commissions and other private and public agencies.

9. Participates in determining the organizational structure, staff assignments, service levels and administrative systems required to accomplish the division and department's mission.

10. Writes letters, memos, reports, grants, publications and other documents to staff, the general public, community organizations, newspapers and administration in order to communicate information and data.

11. Manages and directs positive community relations by developing partnerships with other entities, such as the media, private and non-profit organizations, and the community.

12. Assists in policy formulation and implementation by drafting and/or reviewing legislation related to the environment.

13. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: survey techniques and methods; financial planning and budget techniques; target sectors as defined by industry and geographical areas; and environmental federal, state and local issues, laws and regulations applicable to environmental programs within the specialty area.  For example: Clean Air Specialty- knowledge of alternative fuels and transportation demand management issues; air pollution and its impact on the environment; indoor and outdoor air quality issues and local clean air infrastructure.  Energy Specialty- knowledge of energy efficiency policy and conservation; renewable energy; and energy use and its impact on the climate.  Public Outreach Specialty- knowledge of environmental education infrastructure, systems and protocols; media outlets and systems; behavior modification techniques; and public education methods and techniques.  Recycling Specialty- knowledge of waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and disposal infrastructure, systems and protocols; economics of waste reduction, reuse, recycling and disposal; recycling and remanufacturing principles.  Toxics Reduction Specialty- knowledge of waste prevention, reuse, recycling and disposal infrastructure, systems and protocols; economics of waste reduction, reuse, recycling and disposal; recycling and remanufacturing principles; and hazardous material management, disposal, recycling and toxic use reduction and chemical toxicology.

Ability to: manage complex environmental programs and/or projects,  supervise staff, plan, coordinate, implement and evaluate programs and/or projects, analyze and apply problem solving techniques, communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing with a variety of individuals and organizations, develop and foster working relationships with a variety of individuals, ability to use standard office hardware equipment and software applications;  manage in a team-based environment; write, review and evaluate grant proposals.

Experience and Training

Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and seven (7) years of professional experience managing and implementing environmental programs. Four (4) years of this experience must be in one of the following areas: clean air, energy, public outreach, recycling or toxics reduction; OR
Possession of a baccalaureate degree in public administration, business administration, environmental science or a closely related field from an accredited college, and five (5) years of professional experience managing and implementing environmental programs. Four (4) years of this experience must be in one of the following areas: clean air, energy, public outreach, recycling or toxics reduction; OR
Possession of a juris doctor or a master's degree in public administration, business administration, environmental science or a closely related field from an accredited college of university, and three (3) years of professional experience managing and implementing environmental programs in one of the following areas: clean air, energy, public outreach, recycling or toxics reduction; OR
Possession of a Ph.D. degree in public administration, business administration, environmental sciences or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, and two (2) years of professional experience managing and implementing environmental programs in one of the following areas: clean air, energy, public outreach and recycling; AND

For Toxics Reduction Specialty:  Positions designated to this specialty require three (3) years of experience managing and implementing pollution prevention and/or hazardous materials programs. 

Effective Date:  3/25/02

Amended and Retitled:  9/06/02

Reason for Amendment: To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the most recent job analysis conducted for this class.

Disaster Service Workers

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CLASS: 5644; EST: 1/1/1900; REV: 1/1/1900;