Environmental Inspector I/II – Environmental Services Department

Job Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

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, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City of San José's Environmental Services Department (ESD) is an award-winning department with a mission to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve our health, environment and economy. The Department is a national leader in managing garbage and recycling services; watershed protection and pollution prevention; municipal drinking water and recycled water; sustainability initiatives; and the operation and infrastructure improvements of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José.

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents!

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X, Facebook and Instagram and San José Environmental Services on LinkedIn.

About the Divisions

NOTE: ESD intends to use the candidate pool developed from this recruitment to fill all current vacancies, as well as any future vacancies that may occur in the coming months throughout the entire department.

Descriptions of divisions that have Environmental Inspectors are below.

Watershed Protection (WSP) Division:

The Watershed Protection (WSP) Division provides services that support the City's efforts to protect water quality in local creeks and the Bay. These services are integral to the City's management of both wastewater and stormwater. The Watershed Protection Division is comprised of nearly 90 employees across four programs: Industrial Pretreatment, Environmental Enforcement, Stormwater Management, and Emergency Management & Real Estate.

The Watershed Division’s key programs and the related inspection work groups for these positions are described below:

WSP: INDUSTRIAL PRETREATMENT PROGRAM

Source Control - This group is responsible for implementing the Pretreatment Program for industrial discharges to the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (Facility). The program is required by the Facility's NPDES permit and is aimed at ensuring that certain dischargers have adequate treatment of wastewater discharges prior to discharge in order to protect the integrity of the wastewater collection system, Facility treatment system, and Facility discharges to the Bay. On an annual basis, this group inspects approximately 350 businesses, collects more than 1,900 water quality samples, reviews more than 900 self-monitoring reports, and conducts surveillance monitoring.

Environmental Engineering - This group, which includes Sanitary Engineers and Environmental Inspectors, provides engineering and technical support to the Pretreatment Program. This work group's responsibilities include issuing and renewing approximately 100 Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permits annually, performing Plan Checks for industrial facilities within the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility's service area, and developing procedures and policy documents in support of Watershed Protection programs, among other technical support roles.

WSP: ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

Construction/Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination - This group is responsible for inspecting active construction sites in San José for compliance with local ordinances and implementation of best management practices that protect stormwater quality, the storm sewer system, creeks, and the Bay. This group also responds to and investigates complaints about discharges into the City’s storm sewer collection system. This group often coordinates with other City departments and outside regulatory agencies during spill response and cleanup. This program is required under the City's Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP).

Industrial/Commercial Stormwater Enforcement - This group is responsible for inspecting commercial and industrial businesses in San José for compliance with local ordinances and implementation of best management practices that protect stormwater quality, the storm sewer system, creeks, and the Bay. This program is required under the City's Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP). This program provides detailed inspections of more than 8,000 commercial and industrial facilities in San José.

Fats, Oils, and Grease, and Sewer Investigations - This group is responsible for an inspection program focused on Commercial food service establishments with an emphasis on controls for Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG). This program is required under the City’s Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). This program provides detailed inspections of more than 4,000 food service establishments in San José.

Stormwater Treatment Measures Post-Construction Compliance - This group is responsible for inspecting nearly 4,000 public and private stormwater treatment measures installed throughout San José to ensure that they are operating and maintained in good working order. These devices capture and treat stormwater before it is infiltrated into the native soil or discharged into the storm sewer system for certain new and redevelopment projects. In addition, this group inspects Private Land Drainage Areas for trash load reduction and will begin conducting investigations and abatement of specific properties with higher levels of PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls. This program is required under the City's Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP).

Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Division:

The Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Division leads one of the largest and most advanced solid waste management systems in the United States through creativity and innovation. Division staff collaborate with other City departments and establish strong partnerships with private companies, other government agencies, nonprofits, and the community on a variety of key efforts. Work with a great team and learn new skills that contribute to the bigger purpose of protecting the environment at a local level.

Enforcement Team - This position is a municipal code enforcement field position that conducts face-to-face educational and compliance visits with commercial businesses, apartment buildings, and single-family houses with the goal of supporting proper organics, recyclables, and garbage management. Inspectors work in conjunction with the solid waste haulers, city staff, and other parties to ensure proper solid waste storage, use of authorized solid waste haulers, proper setout of solid waste containers, and other regulations that improve the health, safety, and environment within the City of San Jose.

NOTE: ESD intends to use the candidate pool developed from this recruitment to fill all current vacancies, as well as any future vacancies that may occur in the coming months throughout the entire department. If you have interest in potential future opportunities, you are encouraged to apply.

Position Duties

Environmental Inspectors I/II: Environmental Inspectors conduct a variety of compliance inspections and investigation duties to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations. They interpret and enforce regulations by assessing environmental data, reviewing self-monitoring reports, performing inspections, and overseeing specialized compliance assessments and investigations. Environmental Inspectors prepare a variety of technical and regulatory reports and maintain program records.

The Environmental Inspector classification includes two levels: Environmental Inspector I & Environmental Inspector II. Depending on your qualifications (see Minimum Qualifications below), the application you submit may be considered for an Environmental Inspector I or II position.

The typical schedule for these positions is Monday through Friday. A hybrid work schedule (32 hours onsite, 8 hours remote) is possible, based on supervisor approval and business needs.

The annual salary range for this classification is:

• Environmental Inspector I: $99,361.60 - $120,598.40
• Environmental Inspector II: $109,532.80 - $133,140.80

The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.

To review the full class specification, please visit this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanjoseca/classspecs/1553776

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Science, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Environmental Inspector I- None.
• Environmental Inspector II- Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental inspection and/or environmental consulting experience in assessing industrial, commercial, residential, and/or institutional facilities for compliance with Federal, State, or local codes OR equivalent experience in laboratory work, hazardous materials, or process control.

Certifications: Possession of a valid State of California driver’s license.

• If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license and an assessment under the California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) system as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.
  

Form 700 Requirement: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history:

Analytical Thinking - Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

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.

Computer Skills -Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS SharePoint, MS Teams, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS SharePoint, and MS Excel.

Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful, and friendly manner.

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.

Problem Solving -Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills -Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job-specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ernesto Zamaguey at Ernesto.Zamaguey@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

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.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

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.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 10/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific