Environmental Resources Specialist - Supervising

This is a promotional recruitment - only permanent and/or probationary County employees are eligible to apply.

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 Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

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

To plan, organize, direct, evaluate, and supervise staff involved in the activities related to the County’s environmental and/or solid waste management programs; to ensure facilities, projects, and programs comply with applicable legislation and regulations; to oversee the County’s solid waste management, collection, transportation, and disposal activities; and to communicate with the public regarding the more complex areas of assignment.

The Supervisor level recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning, and evaluating the work of subordinates and is responsible for one or more program areas within a work unit or department.

Receives general direction from higher-level supervisory or management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned staff.

• Direct, supervise, and perform the most complex or difficult planning, compliance, and monitoring activities related to 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.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in assigned environmental and/or solid waste management program activities.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for assigned environmental and/or solid waste management program activities; implement policies and procedures.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Monitor, analyze, interpret, and report on legislation and regulations related to assigned environmental and/or solid waste management programs; develop and make recommendations to management concerning new or modified policies or programs in response to new legislation and regulations.
• Research, compile, analyze, and interpret information and data necessary to measure and assess compliance of programs and facilities.
• Ensure environmental facilities, programs, and projects comply with applicable permits, regulatory requirements, and environmental laws; advise staff on responses to compliance issues.
• Identify and develop grant applications; administer grants and monitor activities performed under grant terms.
• Prepare and administer contracts, franchise agreements, and service agreements with independent contractors or consultants who provide environmental planning or environmental services to the County; oversee solid waste franchise agreements for waste collection and facility operations for compliance with County, state, and applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ensure project compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, including scoping, public review, and mitigation measures.
• Review County planning documents, development projects, environmental analyses, land use plans of other jurisdictions, and regional plans for compatibility with County plans.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for assigned personnel and equipment; monitor and control expenditures.
• Maintain accurate records and reports; prepare documents and correspondence as necessary.
• Prepare and present information to commissions, boards, and community/public organizations.
• Coordinate with other County departments and/or outside agencies and attend and participate in interdepartmental and interagency meetings as needed. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, contractors, consultants, and the public using principles of effective 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 performing duties similar to an Environmental Resources Specialist with Placer County. 

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).
• Operations, policies, and procedures of a county public works department.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles, practices, and methods of environmental and/or solid waste facility program planning and administration.
• Principles and practices of project management and coordination.
• 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, grammar, and punctuation.
• 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 proper 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 a meeting, or in vehicle for long periods of time. Intermittently walk, stand, balance, climb, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, twist, 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.
• Organize, implement, and direct operations and activities for assigned staff.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned programs.
• Develop and monitor program budgets.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of plans and programs in achievement of goals and objectives.
• Maintain records and prepare reports and other documents.
• Prepare, negotiate, and administer contract agreements.
• Administer 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 in 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 credit check, 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 is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful 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 the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. 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.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Janine Martindale, Administrative Technician, at jmartind@placer.ca.gov or (530) 889-4083.