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Job Description
Description
The City of Palo Alto’s Watershed Protection Group has an exciting opening for an Environmental Specialist on its Public Education and Policy Team. We seek an energetic and resourceful individual with proven environmental compliance experience, a strong knowledge of water pollution prevention, and experience in science-based public education and outreach.
WATERSHED PROTECTION TEAM OVERVIEW:
Public Works- Watershed Protection is part of the City of Palo Alto Public Works Department-Environmental Services Division. The team is charged with protecting water quality in local creeks and the San Francisco Bay by working with industry, businesses, residents, and City operations to reduce pollutants entering surface waters by way of the sanitary sewer and storm drain systems. Public Works-Watershed Protection creates and implements innovative watershed protection projects and programs, develops policies, ordinances and public education, and ensures compliance with the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit. In addition, the Watershed Protection team oversees the City’s programs for industrial wastewater pretreatment, recycled water, and maintains regulatory compliance for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, a wastewater treatment plant serving Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, East Palo Alto Sanitary District, and Stanford University.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following are the position responsibilities for the Environmental Specialist:- Provides outreach, education and public engagement for the Watershed Protection programs including those related to pollution prevention for stormwater and wastewater, recycled water, and sea level rise planning efforts
- Oversees consultants and contractors to prepare outreach campaigns and collateral including print, web and other material; keeps data metrics and evaluates program success
- Under direction, sets outreach goals and develops annual workplan
- Attends a selection of meetings with regional groups including Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group (BAPPG), and Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP)
- Creates and maintains Watershed Protection web content for the City website
- Leads and staffs public events, including tabling at events like Earth Day, Municipal Services Day, Rain Barrel and Rain Garden Workshops, Creek Cleanups, and tours of the wastewater treatment plant
- Under direction, ensures the City maintains compliance with select components of the City’s wastewater discharge (NPDES) permit stormwater permit and select Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit provisions
- Prepares regulatory reports in compliance with the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, including the Pollution Prevention Report for the wastewater treatment plant and select components of the stormwater annual report
- Oversees the City’s stormwater rebate program
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate will have the following skills, knowledge, and experience:- At least two years of experience working in the environmental field, with a focus on wastewater or stormwater
- Knowledge of stormwater pollution prevention, wastewater treatment, recycled water and sea level rise, and ability to interpret the importance of technical environmental concepts to diverse audiences
- Experience working with contractors, like professional consultants and service contractors, in a leadership role
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Ideal writing skills include experience writing a variety of material including work proposals, technical scopes of work, regulatory reports and correspondence, web content, and public outreach material
- Experience in public education, which could include developing outreach campaigns, creating public outreach materials in various media, preparing or administering surveys, and informing and connecting with the local community via direct communication
- Ability to work effectively both independently and on a close team
- An effective collaborator: this position will require collaboration within the organization, other agencies and with the public
- Ability to work select weekends
- Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, environmental studies, or a related field.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES (to see the full job description click here. Please note that while the position description applies to multiple positions throughout the city, this recruitment is specifically for the Environmental Specialist in the Watershed Protection Group - Public Works Department )
The Environmental Specialist will:- Prepare designs, specifications, plans, estimates, reports, and request for proposals for projects of moderate complexity
- Develop outreach for environmental programs that meets regulatory requirements
- Assist manager of environmental control programs and project manager with environmental programs and implementation
- Assist in preparing quarterly reports and other related reports required by various regulatory agencies
- Performs other duties of a similar nature or level
POSITION-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Positions assigned to Watershed Protection may be responsible for:- Administering consultant contracts, writing scopes of work, preparing RFPs, evaluating and selecting consultants, reviewing consultant work, monitoring associated budgets, and ensuring compliance with established schedules.
- Coordinating with various departments, public groups and agencies on Watershed Protection and pollution prevention topics
- Outreach and public education
This position is represented by the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU).
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Prepares designs, specifications, plans, estimates, reports, and proposals for projects of moderate complexity.
- Develops design and operational procedures for environmental program that meets all requirements of various regulatory agencies having jurisdiction.
- Assists project manager for environmental programs and implementation which includes: scheduling; cost estimating; and presentation of materials for approval by department and City Manager; analysis of equipment needs; development of operational procedures and training programs for employees.
- In conjunction with other City staff, develops and explores new concepts and ideas related to environmental maintenance programs.
- Assists in preparing the Division's operating budget, quarterly reports, and other related reports required by various regulatory agencies; develops and prepares management information system to monitor and control operation.
- Assists in the coordination and review of design plans and specifications of technical staff.
- Reviews and analyzes environmental and solid waste regulations as required by regulatory agencies.
Essential Functions:- Works with technical staff in preparing designs, writing requests for proposal and report preparation.
- Utilizes computer in administering contracts; prepares monthly progress payments, contract change orders, interpretation of project plans and specifications, coordinates final inspection and job closeout.
- Utilizes computer in monitoring the project budget including revisions, budget allocations, and assures full value received.
Related Functions:- As assigned may perform tests and inspections of various projects.
- Acts as liaison with and controls professional services of consultants on conceptual design, working drawings, and specifications and estimates.
- Participates in consultant selection.
- Assists in managing consultant contracts. -Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:- Bachelor of Science degree in environmental sciences or equivalent, including civil engineering course work or other related curriculum. and
- Two years related experience.
Special Requirements:- Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:- Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
- Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time after the posting closes.
- The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
Compensation (SEIU) :Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 11/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
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