Watershed Management Planning Specialist

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Non-Supervisory Management

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) is offering an excellent opportunity to fill multiple Watershed Management Planning Specialist (WMPS) positions, located in Martinez, CA.

The WMPS vacant positions are located in the Clean Water Program and Flood Control Division and reports to the Senior WMPS. WMPS assists with the implementation of the regional stormwater permit throughout the County. The focus of the permit work is to prevent pollutants such as litter, microplastics, oil, pesticides, legacy pollutants, and bacteria from entering nearby waterbodies. WMPS works within and outside the County to collaborate with divisions, departments, and agencies to develop innovative pollution prevention solutions. WMPS provides project management of water quality monitoring, public outreach with citizens and businesses, environmental inspections, meeting facilitation and training of municipal staff, and Green Infrastructure project development.

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of over 650 miles of roads, 79 miles of streams and channels, and over 150 County buildings. CCCPWD services include parks and recreation, sandbag distribution, flood control, road and facilities maintenance, and storm water management. CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. CCCPWD strives for continuous improvement to deliver cost effective, safe reliable and sustainable projects, programs, and quality services.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Detailed-oriented, with an understanding of the overall goal
• Able to plan, organize, manage, and prioritize work/tasks effectively
• Able to display strong oral and written communication skills
• Able to maintain effective working relationships and deal effectively and courteously with managers and co-workers, other agencies, and the public
• Sensitive and aware of political, citizen concerns, and issues
• Customer-service oriented

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Reviewing and understanding technical regulations and reports, and communicating issues/opinions to colleagues or supervisors
• Gathering and compiling information for an annual report
• Facilitating committee meetings and training of various stakeholders, as appropriate
• Completing stormwater inspections
• Communicating with citizens, businesses, municipal staff to direct or coordinate services
• Performing regulatory research and analysis, understanding water quality problems, and working with stakeholders to find solutions
• Compiling and organizing data, preparing written reports, and presenting to stakeholders
• Managing projects and consultant contracts
• Maintain program information in multiple databases

Here are a few reasons why you might love this job:

• Variability in tasks
• You’ll collaborate with staff from local municipalities within and outside of the County of Contra Costa
• Occasionally, you will have field and/or community service assignments
• The Public Works Department has dedicated employees and values a work-life balance
• You can make a difference in Contra Costa and the Bay Area while promoting the health of our environment
• There are many opportunities to learn, grow, and be challenged

Here are a few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will have to be able to negotiate and understand many points of view
• You may have to make decisions using and balancing the appropriate regulations, as well as keeping in mind goals and on-the-ground knowledge
• You will be required to keep up to date with the latest regulatory information as appropriate
• You will be required to have an understanding and keep appraised of the technical details as appropriate
• You will work in a fast-paced environment with many deadlines and a lot of information

Competencies Required:

• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Negotiating: Reaching mutually satisfying agreements and compromise
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data about an issue or question
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Oral and Written Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue and able to prepare clear and concise written reports of program activities
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on time, on budget, and achieve their objectives

The eligible list established from this recruitment process will be valid for 6 months. To review the full classification specification for this class, please visit: Watershed Management Planning Specialist

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of State valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in urban or regional planning, engineering, business, geography, chemistry, environmental science or a closely related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of full-time or its equivalent professional experience in land use planning, environmental compliance, or other closely related activity.

Substitution: A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, engineering, business, geography, chemistry, environmental science, or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Project management experience
• Experience in stormwater, hazardous materials, and environmental regulatory programs
• Possession of a stormwater certificate or have completed stormwater coursework
• Experience with green infrastructure projects
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems
• Experience designing or completing monitoring and sampling of stormwater, industrial wastewater, hazardous materials, and waste
• Experience in stormwater or regulatory inspection techniques and procedure

Selection Process

1. Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

2. Virtual Oral Interview: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited via email to complete a HireVue On Demand video interview. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Watershed Management Planning Specialist classification.

• These may include, but are not limited to: Critical Thinking, Delivering Results, Displaying Ownership and Accountability, Informing . (Weighted 100%)
• The Watershed Management Planning Specialist interview is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) at the end of July, 2025.
• The virtual oral interview will be administered remotely using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment, as well as computer or mobile device with a camera.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment specific questions, please contact Fina Prak at Fina.Prak@pw.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 7/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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