Environmental Specialist I/II - Water Use Efficiency

The Water Utilities Department is in the final stages of a salary and compensation study to maintain standing as a regionally competitive water and wastewater employer. The results of this study may impact compensation rates during fiscal year 2024/25.

Monthly Salary

Environmental Specialist I  $5,609 -$7,519

Environmental Specialist II  $6,186 – $8,289

About Oceanside’s Water Utilities Department & Our Water Use Efficiency Team 

The Oceanside Water Utilities Department is an innovative and forward-looking organization whose goal it is to ensure ongoing access to safe & affordable drinking water, reliable wastewater collection & treatment services, and environmental sustainability by maintaining top talent, resource resiliency, dependability, and system efficiency.

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for the position of Environmental Specialist I/II in the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Program. This program is a part of the City’s innovative Green Oceanside environmental division — a team that oversees Oceanside’s environmental stewardship initiatives and regulatory responsibilities and communicates goals and programs through social media, public events, and other outreach. 

About the position

Green Oceanside is seeking a detailed, customer-service focused problem solver whose everyday role will be varied, but focused on the City’s water users and their water efficiency efforts.  

This position will communicate clearly in writing, in conversations, and in presentations; be involved in customer service, education, outreach, and research; maintain current awareness of specific local, regional, and state programs that offer resources to our customers; and help ensure access for customers and the city. This specialist will also work closely with water consumption and program participation data.  

Working with the WUE supervisor, this Environmental Specialist I/II will manage their own project tasks and deadlines including monthly regulatory compliance submittals. As a vital member of the WUE team, you will be part of analyzing and implementing improvements to programs along with assorted administrative WUE program duties.

You should be excited about this opportunity because you will…

• Be an invaluable departmental representative, providing water-use information & support to our many residential & commercial customers.
• Incrementally work towards the city’s long-term environmental objectives.
• Promote ongoing water-use programs, strategies & requirements.
• Work alongside various other City departments & utility field divisions to accomplish ongoing and regulatory tasks.
• Be part of a team who is passionate about sustainability, economic development and seeking opportunities for improvement!

Who we are looking for…

A creative problem-solver with a patient approach and helpful nature is the ideal candidate for this position.

Examples of Duties

Educates residents, multifamily tenants and property owners, visitors, businesses and the public on water conservation regulations, measures, principles and practices; 

Develops, implements, monitors and analyzes citizen participation programs; monitors, analyzes, and remains informed on federal and state legislation and regulations; works with internal and external customers and stakeholders to resolve questions, service requests and/or problems and complaints; 

Creates related public relations materials, such as webpages, fliers, pamphlets and videos; develops educational materials and provides training on environmental programs and regulations; 

Designs and implements water efficiency and conservation program; conducts data collections, interpretations, forecasting and research on water conservation and other water management programs; implements or requires implementation of best management practices or controls at industrial, municipal, commercial, and residential sites as needed; 

Provides information and assistance with water use ordinances for all industrial, commercial, municipal and residential sites;  

Develops, implements and administers Water Conservation Master Plan, Water Shortage Contingency Plan and other regulatory monitoring programs;  

Develops water efficiency programs for various customer classes; applies for and administers grants for environmental and educational projects;

Prepares applicable reports required or requested by regulators or wholesalers, which involves interpreting technical data, creating charts and databases, and preparing reports; conducts public speaking including on video, as necessary; deals with the public tactfully and effectively; establishes and maintains cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of duties; 

Communicates clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing; understands and carries out oral and written instructions;

Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I    

Knowledge of:  

• Data management, organization, and analysis methods.   
• Modern principles and practices of environmental policy environmental studies, sustainability, public administration applicable to water use efficiency,
• Principles and practices of water conservation laws and legal terminology.   
• Principles and practices of public relations, communications and customer service.   
• Applicable state and federal laws.   

Ability to:  

• Conduct research and prepare complete and accurate analyses, reports and recommendations on a variety of environmental issues;   
• Design and implement large-scale environmental outreach projects including social media campaigns and public workshops
• Utilize computer systems to enter, analyze, and retrieve data;    
• Interpret and apply applicable codes and ordinances;   
• Exercise sound judgment and common sense;   
• Learn to apply procedures, techniques, and interpret and make decisions related to job duties.   
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work.    
• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.   
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.    
• Read, understand, interpret and apply laws, policies, rules, contracts, guidelines and professional practices;   
• Speak clearly and effectively before diverse audiences and groups and work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders, contractors, and the public.    

Experience and Training    

Experience: Six months of experience in environmental policy, environmental outreach, resource management, communications, public relations, or a related field. 

Experience with water efficiency programs sustainability, communications, community planning, project management, public administration, environmental compliance, water user interface, commercial irrigation management, or other related environmental regulations, is highly desirable.                

Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public policy, public administration, environmental studies, water or environmental policy, resource management, data management, or a related field.   

License/Certificates: 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II    

In addition to the qualifications for Environmental Specialist I:   

Knowledge of:  

• Advanced knowledge of water resource management practices.  
• Advanced knowledge of research methods, statistical data analysis, and report preparation.  
• Advanced knowledge of key developing regional, state and federal environmental issues, legislation and regulations.  
• Advanced coordinating work with consultants, intergovernmental agencies and/or stakeholders.  
• Applicable city municipal codes.    

Ability to:  

• Develop and implement community outreach and engagement programs promoting water use efficiency principles, practices, and requirements through the Green Oceanside campaign;   
• Communicate with the public in a clear, patient and respectful manner;
• Plan, schedule and organize work including mandatory compliance workloads, with a high degree of independence of action;    
• Conduct  research  and  prepare  complete  and  accurate  analyses, reports   
• and recommendations on a variety of issues;   
• Prepare clear, concise and decisive oral and written reports as required for review by executive City staff, committees, commissions and the City Council;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of City 
•  staff, other governmental agencies, and the general public;   
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the diversity of the community.   

Experience and Training    

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental policy, environmental studies, resource   management, communications, public administration, or related field.

Experience working with water efficiency and conservation management and regulations, water user interface, commercial irrigation management communications, community planning, project management, public administration, or other related environmental regulations is highly desirable.    

Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public policy, public administration, environmental studies, water or environmental policy, resource management, data management, communications or a related field. 

License/Certificates: 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.    

Depending on assignment, the Environmental Specialist II position highly desires the possession of or the ability to obtain, within one year of date of hire, one of the following certifications:    

• Water Use Efficiency Practitioner Certification (AWWA)   
• Water Audit Validator Certificate (AWWA)

Working Conditions and Selection Process

Environmental Conditions: Office and field environment; travel from site to site; extensive public contact; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, electrical energy, radiant energy, toxic materials, and inclement weather conditions; work in or with water, stormwater/urban runoff, and wastewater; exposure to chemical materials and/or hazardous waste in public rights of way.

Physical Conditions: Essential  functions may require maintaining  physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; physical condition necessary for walking/hiking into waterway areas with unstable ground surfaces while carrying equipment not exceeding 30 lbs.; exposure to computer screens, speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret specifications and regulations.    

Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process may include any combination of written examination, oral board examination, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on the eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check (including fingerprinting) and a medical examination. Drug screening may be required.

RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.