Environmental Services Specialist series, Multiple Positions

~ The Environmental Services Department (ESD) for the City of San José is a place where people do great work and make a difference. ~

• To see some of the first-rate work ESDers have accomplished in the past fiscal year, review the ESD 2018 Annual Report.

• For more information about the ESD department, please visit our website or @sjenvironment on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

• What is it like to be an ESDer? Watch this video: Day in the Life - Join us to make a difference!  

Position Overview 
 
The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is recruiting for Environmental Services Specialist (ESS) series (Assistant/Associate/ESS positions).

ESD intends to use the candidate pool developed from this recruitment to fill vacancies specified in this announcement, as well as future ESS series vacancies. Depending on qualifications, the application you submit may be considered for Assistant ESS, Associate ESS, or ESS positions.

The ESS series (Assistant/Associate/Environmental Services Specialist) defines a class of environmental professionals responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining municipal environmental programs. The job specifications for this series can be found here. http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10377

Duties may include:

• Negotiating contract terms; coordinating and monitoring the work of independent contractors; Developing and maintaining databases for departmental information;
• Analyzing and interpreting statistical, economic, and highly technical data;
• Analyzing problems and identifying solutions; preparing presentations and written reports;
• Planning, coordinating, and staffing environmental outreach events;
• Facilitating community events and meetings;
• Preparing and monitoring project budgets;
• Developing and evaluating program goals and policies;
• Preparing public education material regarding environmental services information;
• Assisting the general public with respect to environmental compliance issues and using City provided environmental services;
• Implementing environmental health and safety programs;
• Implementing regulatory programs; serving as a liaison to outside agencies and regulatory bodies;
• Grant development and oversight; and
• Performing field inspections.

Note: ESD currently has over 40 ESS positions in the department. Candidates interested in positions in Integrated Waste Management, Watershed Protection, Sustainability and Compliance, and/or Water Resources programs are strongly encouraged to apply. To learn more about the great work we do in these divisions, please click here.   

At this time, there are several vacant ESS positions available in the Integrated Waste Management Division.

1.) Integrated Waste Management Division

The Integrated Waste Management Division (IWM) in the Environmental Services Department (ESD) develops, implements, and administers programs that will enable the City to divert waste from landfills and meet zero waste goals. IWM currently has several vacancies across two sections: Residential Services and Business & Civic Services.

Residential Services oversees the Recycle Plus program, which provides curbside garbage and recycling, yard trimmings, and junk pick up to approximately 210,000 single-family and 96,000 multi-family households.  This team manages several large contracts with an annual budget in excess of $100 million.

Business & Civic Services manages the City’s commercial garbage, recycling, and construction debris haulers and initiatives, oversees the Illegal Dumping program, manages San Jose’s Environmental Innovation Center, performs inspections, and utilizes education and enforcement tools to facilitate compliance with Municipal Codes and program regulations designed to maintain a healthy, safe, and clean environment. This group also oversees solid waste-related regulatory reporting, development review, grants, and policy review.

• The current vacancies in IWM are typically responsible for day-to-day management of large residential or commercial contracts and franchise agreements. These contracts and agreements may specialize in waste-to-energy, organics, composting, recycling, construction and demolition debris, and other aspects of solid waste.  Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• For more information about IWM click here.

2.) Sustainability and Compliance Division

The work of the Sustainability and Compliance Division (SCD) is both rewarding and FUN!  Within SCD, the Energy section is responsible for the effective management of the Silicon Valley Energy Watch (SVEW) program as well supporting the implementation of the Climate Smart San José plan, and a variety of sustainability-related grant programs. 

• The Sustainability and Compliance Division will be recruiting for an ESS position soon.
• One vacancy is anticipated within the Energy section within the next two months that will assist with the implementation of the City’s Energy and Water Building Performance Ordinance, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from this sector. Climate Smart San José builds upon the City’s legacy of innovation and sustainability leadership. The plan makes San José one of the first major US cities to chart a course to meeting the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of the international Paris Agreement.
• For more information about SCD click here. 

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• ASSISTANT ESS - One (1) year of experience promoting and participating in the implementation and administration of an environmental services program in air quality, integrated waste management, biology, agriculture, energy, forestry or parks, habitat restoration, wastewater, water resources, archaeology, geology, resource conservation or any program emphasizing environmental sustainability or environmental regulatory compliance.
• ASSOCIATE ESS - (Two) 2 years of increasingly responsible experience in promoting, developing and implementing environmental services program in air quality, integrated waste management, biology, agriculture, energy, forestry or parks, habitat restoration, wastewater, water resources, archaeology, geology, resource conservation or any program emphasizing environmental sustainability or environmental regulatory compliance.
• ESS - Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience promoting, developing and implementing environmental services program in air quality, integrated waste management, biology, agriculture, energy, forestry or parks, habitat restoration, wastewater, or water resources, archaeology, geology, resources conservation or any program emphasizing environmental sustainability or environmental regulatory compliance, including two (2) years of experience leading a team.
• ESS Acceptable Substitution - A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience in promoting, developing and implementing environmental services program in air quality, integrated waste management, biology, agriculture, energy, forestry or parks, habitat restoration, wastewater, or water resources, archaeology, geology, resources conservation or any program emphasizing environmental sustainability or environmental regulatory compliance.

Competencies:

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Analytical Thinking - Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
• Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
• Creativity - Addresses objectives and problems while questioning traditional assumptions/solutions in order to generate creative ideas and new ways of doing business; exhibits creativity and innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives; seeks out opportunities to improve, streamline, reinvent work processes.
• Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
• Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.
• Project Management - Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.
• Team Work & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Employment Eligibility: 

• Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country.
• Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Compensation

• Salary range is $62,628.80 - $97,240.00 annually.
• The pay ranges for the ESS series positions are available here.  http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1206.
• Effective July 1, 2018, all employees holding positions in this classification shall receive an approximate 5% ongoing non-pensionable compensation increase.

Application Information

• The job ID for this position is 1900436.
• To view the full job announcement and to apply, please click here. 
• If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Lisa Harding at lisa.harding@sanjoseca.gov or (408) 975-1436.
• Closing Date: April 29, 2019

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws.

The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 535-1285 or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov.