SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST(OC Infrastructure Programs)

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 open to the public and is being held to establish an eligible list to fill current and future Senior Environmental Resources Specialist vacancies within OC Public Works and/or other County of Orange agencies. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PT).

OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works (OCPW) 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.

OCPW is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Facilities Design & Construction and CUF; OC Facilities Maintenance; OC Fleet Services; OC Infrastructure Programs; OC Operations & Maintenance.

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 Public Works click here.
For more information on the County of Orange click here.

THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Public Works is looking for an experienced Senior Environmental Resources Specialist with functional expertise in the area of Regulatory Permitting, River/Habitat Restoration, and Biological Compliance. The Regulatory Permitting Team, within OC Infrastructure Programs, oversees the permitting of the Capital Improvement Program, as well as the Maintenance Improvement Program and routine maintenance for OCPW. The Senior Environmental Resources Specialist is 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 incumbent will have experience in the following:

• Writing and reviewing regulatory permits (Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, Clean Water Act Section 404 Permits and Section 401 Certification and Coastal Development Permits)
• Negotiating with regulators
• Developing habitat mitigation plans
• Conducting environmental compliance in the field (ideally including conducting bird nesting surveys, as well as habitat and aquatic delineation surveys)
• 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)
• Reviewing construction and operational plans and documenting and advising on impact avoidance and minimization measures for compliance with regulatory permit conditions and mitigation measures and incorporate restoration measures where feasible
• Preparing routine reports documenting habitat mitigation area 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
• Closely monitoring every phase of construction at project sites for compliance with regulatory 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
• In designing and/or implementing river restoration techniques (highly desirable, but not essential)
• With environmentally sustainable erosion control measures (Bio-engineering/Engineering with Nature) (highly desirable, but not essential)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess six (6) years of experience in the field of Regulatory Permitting or other relevant environmental field and will also hold a Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, environmental engineering, watershed management, ecology, geology or a related degree.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidates shall possess knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge

• Ability to interpret and understand federal, state, and local legislation, policies, regulations, and issues that pertain to the assignment
• 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 of 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; and proper planting and irrigation techniques (relevant out-of-state experience will be considered)
• Knowledge of Southern California fish and wildlife species
• Ability to interpret topographic maps and aerial photographs and use GIS/GPS and/or other aerial software applications
• Ability to use ESRI ArcGIS products
• 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
• 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

Effective Communication | Collaboration

• 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
• Ability to direct efforts of staff who are not direct reports, including outside contractors/consultants to meet project/program objectives
• 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
• 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 minimum qualifications for Senior Environmental Resources Specialist.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
By date of appointment, possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher is required, which must be maintained throughout employment.

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 (Weighted 100%)
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

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 (VEPP)

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 Brian Quinlan at (714) 667-9750 or by email at brian.quinlan@pw.oc.gov.

EEO INFORMATION:

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