Local recruitment: Associate Environmental Specialist

The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District seeks an Regulatory and Environmental Planners (Associate Environmental Specialist).  This position is assigned to the Regulatory Division in Riverside and is comparable to traditional Environmental Planner roles.

To learn more about this position click here to view a video.

Individuals in this role will have prior planning experience and will support the District with a broad range of responsibilities related to environmental compliance under laws such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Clean Water Act, the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, and the California Fish and Game Code. Key duties include performing and reviewing technical analyses for flood control projects to assess environmental impacts; conducting field survey; and recommending appropriate mitigation measures in accordance with applicable environmental regulations and procedures.

Additional responsibilities include preparing and reviewing environmental documents (e.g., CEQA analyses), as well as regulatory permit applications under Sections 404, 401, and 1600. Associate Regulatory and Environmental Planners may also be tasked with developing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), overseeing consultant deliverables, and coordinating with internal divisions and external agencies at the local, state, federal, or tribal level. This role also involves providing technical support to Project Managers and mentoring Assistant or Junior level staff.

The ideal candidate will have experience serving as a project manager or task lead in a similar role at an environmental or engineering focused consulting firm or within a public works or land use/planning agency, and a background in preparing or reviewing technical studies, including NEPA or CEQA environmental documents (e.g., Environmental Impact Reports, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Negative Declarations, Notices of Exemption). Experience in preparing, reviewing, or negotiating regulatory permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is highly desirable. Familiarity with projects located within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and/or the Coachella Valley MSHCP is also preferred.

The most competitive candidates will demonstrate a solid understanding of the principles and practices of urban and environmental planning, flood control, and land development. They should have experience interpreting and implementing relevant environmental laws and regulations, including CEQA, the National Historic Preservation Act, Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52), the Federal and California Endangered Species Acts, the Clean Water Act (Sections 401 and 404), and the California Fish and Game Code. Strong analytical, report-writing, project/task management and verbal communication skills are essential, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.). Candidates should also be capable of reading and interpreting environmental documents and technical reports (Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports, biological resources reports, cultural resources reports, etc.), hydrology and hydraulics studies, drainage plans, and development proposals.

Track II – Regulatory and Environmental Planning:
Positions assigned to the Regulatory Division ensure compliance with environmental regulations related to long-range planning, facility design and construction, maintenance and repair projects, and developing and managing mitigation sites/conservation lands. Incumbents apply regulatory requirements pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, California Fish and Game Code Section 1600, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, and the Western Riverside County and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCPs). Incumbents in this track assist with CEQA compliance, species and habitat management, regulatory permitting acquisition, negotiation and compliance, prepare or review environmental documents and technical studies, and coordinate with internal staff, public agencies, consultants, and other stakeholders as needed to ensure effective project delivery.

To learn more about the position or the Regulatory Division at the District, here.

• Participate in project development meetings, stakeholder discussions, and occasional public meetings to support capital project delivery.

• Analyze and prepare environmental documents and technical studies for CEQA/NEPA compliance, regulatory permitting, and MSHCP consistency.

• Perform technical analysis and develop solutions to avoid, minimize and/or mitigate environmental impacts.

• Assist with AB52 Tribal consultations and related agreements and mitigation efforts.

• Draft and negotiate permit applications, including CWA Section 404 and CWA Section 401 certifications and California Fish and Game Code 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreements.

• Prepare RFPs for environmental consulting services; review consultant proposals, budgets and schedules; support consultant selection and oversee consultant deliverables and invoices.

• Provide technical oversight for complex environmental review and recommend adaptive management solutions as needed.

• Collaborate with internal staff, public agencies, consultants, non-profits, developers, and the public to ensure compliance and project delivery.

• Lead or participate in field surveys, site assessments, and habitat, species, and nesting bird surveys to evaluate impacts and guide project planning, construction, maintenance, and mitigation site/ conservation lands management.

• Support staff training and development to advance District environmental programs and goals

Desired qualifications include 5 years of:
-Experience preparing or reviewing technical studies, CEQA environmental documents (i.e., Environmental Impact Report, Mitigated Negative Declaration, Negative Declaration, Notice of Exemption).   
-Experience with preparing, reviewing or negotiating regulatory permits from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards and US Army Corps of Engineers.
-Experience working on projects located within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and/or Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

Knowledge of: Knowledge of: Local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and standard practices, such as CEQA, NEPA, FESA, CESA, AB-52, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish and Game Code Section 1600 et seq., Waters of the State and Water of the U.S., Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, and the Western Riverside County and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCPs); basic principles of water resource management, and social, economic and environmental conditions which affect public works planning general principles and practices.

Ability to: Conduct site assessments and site reconnaissance; research, compile, analyze, and interpret environmental quality data; analyze environmental impacts and make recommendations to minimize or avoid impacts and comply with federal, state, and local laws; communicate effectively orally and in writing in a variety of situations; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work; analyze complex planning problems, technical studies and documents, and develop alternative solutions.

Other Requirements:
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is required. This position involves travel to various locations throughout the county to conduct field surveys and site visits.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk over uneven outdoor terrain and work in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Candidates must be able to tolerate exposure to weather elements and local wildlife while performing field duties.

Veteran’s Preference 
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse’s) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse’s letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans’ preference. The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here:  https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Proof of Education 
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).

Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).  A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving “At Will,” are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the ‘Apply‘ link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran’s preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com.

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.