Senior Environmental Resources Specialist

Job Description:

Senior Environmental Resources Specialist

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST

SALARY INFORMATION
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is being held to establish anopen eligiblelist to fill current and future Senior Environmental Resources Specialist vacancies within OC Public Works. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PST)

OC ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
OC Environmental Resources is a service area within OC Public Works that manages the OC Watersheds program, which protects public health and safety, promotes environmental quality, and sustains business competitiveness through education, regulation, and collaborative regional programs.

For more information on OC Environmental Resources click here
For more information on OC Public Works click here
For more information on the County of Orange click here

THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Public Works has an exciting career opportunity for a Senior Environmental Resources Specialist in the OC NPDES Compliance unit within the Countywide Compliance Division of OC Environmental Resources. This position coordinates Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) compliance programs for the Unincorporated Orange County and Orange County Flood Control District (OCFCD) jurisdictions based primarily on NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits issued from both the Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Boards. The position manages the water pollution spill response program, oversees implementation and auditing of specific permit requirements across internal County departments, supervises and trains professional and technical personnel, and performs other work as required.

The Senior Environmental Resources Specialist’s job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Directly supervise a section with three positions
• Manage compliance with NPDES MS4 permits
• Direct the County's 24-hour/7-day per week Water Pollution Response Team
• Provide training to County agency staff regarding stormwater program requirements
• Oversee enforcement of applicable water quality ordinances
• Track and manage inspections of municipal facilities and other existing development under County jurisdiction
• Manage the Adopt A Channel program for agency flood control channels
• Conduct annual NPDES compliance reporting to state regulatory agencies
• Support County departments with project peer review and County property permit review of stormwater program compliance issues
• Provide required public education and outreach to the unincorporated communities
• Administer consultant services contracts that support program activities

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess four (4) or more years of experience as an Environmental Resources Technician or higher with the County of Orange

OR

They must possess a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in environmental science, biological science, ecology, or a related science field. They must also have at least three (3) years of supervisory experience, and at least six (6) years of extensive knowledge and experience with one or more of the following:

• NPDES MS4 permits
• Municipal stormwater program management
• Hazardous Waste and/or spill response and clean-up
• Stormwater and/or other facility inspections
• Data collection, management, and interpretation
• Report writing

In addition, the most successful applicants will demonstrate professional competencies in the following areas:

Technical Knowledge | Experience

• Practical knowledge of State and Federal environmental laws, regulations and policies, specifically with California State and Regional Water Quality Control Board NPDES permits issued to Orange County
• Environmental regulations and standards and the ability to evaluate new or revised regulations and standards and make recommendations as to their approval, disapproval or modification
• Practical knowledge of hazardous waste regulations and spill response protocols and procedures
• Preparation of regulatory compliance reports to be submitted to State and Federal agencies
• Experience with regulatory compliance enforcement, program auditing, and program training development
• Preparation of budgets and contract scopes of work

Analytical | Decision-Making Skills

• Understand and follow oral and written technical instructions
• Analyze problems and adopt an effective course of action
• Plan, organize, and direct the work of others
• Analytically search for resources or seek subject matter experts to make informed decisions
• Demonstrate critical thinking, creative problem solving, and exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information
• Understanding of prioritizing competing priorities while meeting established deadlines
• Creative and effective analytical reasoning with a solution focus

Communication | Coordination Skills

• Coordinate monitoring efforts with multiple County departments, cities, and special districts; and lead multi-agency workgroups and meetings
• Negotiate with regulatory agencies on permit conditions and compliance issues
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
• Address difficult issues immediately utilizing tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations

Leadership | Supervisory Skills

• Experience supervising, managing, or working in a lead capacity overseeing activities
• Empower, mentor, and coach/train staff, contractors, and consultants
• Effective working relationships with all levels of County staff, contractors, and public
• Direct and manage outside consultant(s) contracts to regulate and monitor budgetary boundaries and meet deliverable deadlines
• Operate independently and collaboratively

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Please click here to view the minimum qualifications for the Senior Environmental Resources Specialist classification.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After the screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Structured Oral Interview (Weighted 100%): Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions? For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Sarah Correa at 714-667-9667 or by email at sarah.correa@ocpw.ocgov.com

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 2/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$94,660.80 - $127,524.80 Annually