Environmental Resources Specialist (OC Infrastructure)

Job Description:

Environmental Resources Specialist (OC Infrastructure)

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST

(OC INFRASTRUCTURE)

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future 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 , September 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM (PT).


OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works’ guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability.

OC Public Works is a unique County department that comprises ten service areas: OC Development Services; OC Fleet Services; OC Administrative Services; OC Facilities Design & Construction; OC Facilities Maintenance & Central Utilities; OC Environmental Resources; OC Operations & Maintenance; OC Construction; OC Infrastructure Programs; and OC Survey.

OC Infrastructure Programs

OC Infrastructure Programs provides engineering services for roadways in unincorporated areas and regional flood control facilities throughout Orange County. Business Units within Infrastructure Programs include Programming, Engineering Design, Regulatory Permitting, Legislation Tracking, Project Management, Flood Programs, Traffic Engineering, and Development Support services.
For more information on OC Infrastructure 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 opportunity for an Environmental Resources Specialist (ERS) position in the specialized area of Regulatory Permitting, Biological Compliance and River/Habitat Restoration within OC Infrastructure Programs.

The Regulatory Permitting Team, within Infrastructure Programs, oversees the permitting of the Capital Improvement Program, as well as the Maintenance Improvement Program and routine maintenance for OCPW. The Environmental Resource Specialist would be expected to work with other teams throughout OCPW and other County agencies to ensure that all of our work is conducted in a manner that minimizes impacts to the environment, seeks opportunities to enhance the environment and ensures that all activities comply with the various environmental legislation.

The successful candidate’s role would involve becoming skilled in the following:

• Balancing the needs of flood and infrastructure with the environment.
• Writing and reviewing regulatory permits (Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, Clean Water Act Section 404 Permits and Section 401 Certification and Coastal Development Permits).
• Developing habitat mitigation plans.
• Reviewing environmental documents.
• Negotiating with regulators.
• Experience conducting environmental compliance in the field (ideally including conducting bird nesting surveys, as well as habitat and aquatic delineation surveys).
• Experience with CEQA and various other environmental regulations, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish & Game Code, Clean Water Act, and applicable Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCP)/Habitat Conservation Plans(HCP).
• Effective communication across all levels within the County and externally.
• Reviewing construction and operational plans and documenting and advising on impact avoidance and minimization measures for compliance with permit conditions and mitigation measures and incorporate restoration measures where feasible.
• Preparing routine reports documenting habitat mitigation areas status as required by regulatory permits.
• Training OCPW staff in identifying and appropriate avoidance of native habitats and species in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or permits.
• Experience in designing and/or implementing river restoration techniques (desirable).
• Experience with environmentally sustainable erosion control measures (Bio-engineering/engineering with nature) (desirable).
• Closely monitoring every phase of construction at project sites for compliance with biological permits and plans and environmental legislation.
• Creating maps, exhibits, reports, and presentations to inform decision makers, state and federal resource agency staff, including use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)or other aerial mapping software.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in environmental science, biological science, ecology, geology, or a related science field. The ideal candidates should have knowledge, understanding, and experience (at least two (2) years of technical experience) with one or more of the following:

• Experience with regulatory permits (Clean Water Act 404 Army Corps Permit and 401 Regional/State Water Quality Control Board Certification, California Fish and Game Code Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, California Coastal Commission Coastal Development Permits), including writing permits, preparing supporting documentation, permit compliance and developing habitat mitigation strategies and plans.
• Experience in construction related environmental compliance, especially water and wildlife related compliance.
• Experience working on river/habitat restoration projects and/or engineering with nature projects.
• Ability to understand and interpret construction plans and provide regulatory review to minimize adverse environmental impacts and maximize environmental opportunities.

In addition, the successful candidate will possess the job-related knowledge required for this assignment as described below:

Technical knowledge | Experience

• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and understand federal and State regulations, including Endangered Species Acts, California Fish and Game Code, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act, and familiarity with Habitat Conservation Plans and Natural Communities Conservation Plans frameworks.
• Preparation of informational, statistical, scientific, technical and compliance reports.
• Knowledge of river restoration and streambank erosion repair techniques.
• Ability to read and comprehend technical documents and specifications.
• Knowledge or fluvial geomorphological principles relating to channel stability and fluvial dynamics.
• Contract management.
• Knowledge of California native plants, native plant communities, non-native and invasive plants.
• Knowledge of habitat restoration techniques, including proper planting and irrigation techniques.
• Knowledge of Southern California fish and wildlife species.
• Knowledge of CEQA as it relates to biological and archaeo-paleo resources.
• Ability to interpret topographic maps and aerial photographs and use GIS/GPS and/or other aerial software applications.
• Familiarity with construction drawings and specifications related to biological issues.
• Knowledge of standard habitat impact minimization and protection techniques.
• Resource agency negotiation, permitting and mitigation experience.

Problem Solving and Analysis

• Ability to identify, research, evaluate, estimate, accurately interpret, and apply technical data and policy information.
• Use sound reasoning and judgment to seek out resources and/or consult with others to gain and share information to arrive at conclusions and find alternative solutions to complex problems.
• Effectively identify and use department resources to resolve issues.
• Analyze problems and adopt effective courses of action.
• Proactively plan and align all undertakings with organizational vision.
• Effectively manage competing priorities while meeting established deadlines.
• Demonstrate innovation and creativity with a solution focus.

Leadership Skills

• Proven experience working in a lead capacity on a project or program.
• Ability to empower, mentor, and coach/train staff and peers.
• Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with all levels of County staff, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Operate both independently and collaboratively.
• Independently and/or with minimal guidance, direct and manage outside consultant contracts to regulate and monitor budgetary boundaries and meet deliverable deadlines.
• Plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

Communication | Oral & Written

• Ability to effectively communicate complex topics, both verbally and in writing using both technical and non-technical language, to a variety of audiences of varying levels of understanding.
• Maintain open and productive dialogue to facilitate resolutions, improvements and inclusion.
• Review and check documents for accuracy and quality of work and convey feedback and direction in an effective manner.
• Promote open, candid information sharing across organizational boundaries.

Resolution/Decision Making

• Ability to resolve conflicts in a positive and constructive manner.
• Work independently and maintain flexibility among changing assignments and priorities.
• Anticipate and minimize unexpected issues and situations by promptly resolving and addressing the issue and/or situation with evidence/based decision-making strategies.
• Accurately identify issues, impacts, and solutions.
• Implement/apply logical and creative thought processes in developing solutions according to written/oral specifications and/or instructions.
• Effectively and efficiently produce results consistent with program objectives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the complete list of minimum qualifications for Environmental Resources Specialist position.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Structured Oral Interview (SOI) I (Weighted 100%):
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by a qualification and appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job.

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 will 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 Linette Lavey at 714-667-9751 or by email at Linette.Lavey@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: 9/25/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$82,659.20 - $111,384.00 Annually