Placer County

To assist in the development, implementation, monitoring, and compliance of the County’s environmental and/or solid waste management programs; to ensure projects and programs comply with environmental review requirements including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); to develop and implement outreach plans and materials; to prepare grant applications and process grant documents; and to participate in the administration of contracts.

Receives direction from other professional and management staff. 

May exercise functional and/or technical supervision over outside consultants, contract employees, and/or lower-level staff.

• Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and compliance of the County’s environmental programs including solid waste management, recycling and waste reduction, groundwater management, water resources, wastewater, composting, household hazardous waste, 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 and recommend goals and objectives for the related programs; conduct waste audits and make recommendations to reduce and recycle waste.
• Monitor and measure the effectiveness of existing programs and plans; assist in the development and implementation of new programs and plans; work closely with residents, community groups, and local and regional public and private agencies and businesses in the coordination and implementation of new programs and plans.
• 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.
• 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; review invoices and manage contract budgets.
• Analyze and interpret laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies to staff, consultants, and the public as needed. 
• Monitor facilities and programs for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and state, federal, and/or local plans; recommend program or policy changes to comply with new laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies; coordinate with other departments or agencies on compliance activities as appropriate.
• Assist in the preparation, review, and monitoring of program budgets; submit justifications for budget requests.
• Prepare, review, and coordinate environmental documentation pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other applicable regulations.
• 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 members of the public.
• Conduct solid waste assessments of businesses to develop recommendations designed to increase waste diversion; provide technical assistance to businesses, recyclers, schools, and residents; meet with business owners and attend community meetings and waste advisory meetings to report on activities.
• Monitor solid waste collection and facility operations for compliance with franchise agreements; evaluate, calculate, and implement adjustments to solid waste collection rates and fees; prepare and distribute appropriate legal notices as required by law.
• Prepare solid waste facility permit applications and renewals to maintain state approval for operation; prepare and coordinate regulatory permits and approvals related to environmental programs and infrastructure projects.
• Prepare a variety of written communications including reports on activities and regulatory compliance; 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.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, contractors, consultants, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Work is performed in both an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions. Work may be performed at a site that is an active landfill, composting operation, and materials recovery facility with associated noises and odors.

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 (3) 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 urban, regional, or environmental planning, environmental studies, environmental science, environmental or civil engineering, or a related field. 

Required 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.

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned environmental and/or solid waste management program areas.
• Principles and practices of environmental review including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Principles, practices, and methods of environmental and/or 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.
• Statistical research methods and data analysis techniques.
• Principles of budget preparation and monitoring.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer hardware and software applications.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; read, identify, interpret, understand, analyze, apply, recall, and explain policies and procedures, technical and numerical information, work papers, reports, special projects, and pertinent laws, rules, and regulations; observe and problem-solve operational and technical policies and procedures; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time; analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine appropriate course of action; maintain awareness of safety at all times; observe safety rules and identify safety hazards.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk, in meetings, or in vehicle for long periods of time. Intermittently walk, stand, kneel, climb, stoop, squat, crouch, twist, balance, reach, and bend to reach equipment surrounding desk and perform field work; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift moderate weight.
• Conduct research and analyze data relating to integrated waste management programs.
• 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.
• Maintain records and prepare reports and other documents.
• Prepare education information and program materials to be presented to the public.
• 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.
• Obtain information through interview and interact fairly and courteously with the public.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Represent the County in meetings with other agencies and the public.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.