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City of Sunnyvale

Environmental Compliance Inspector

 

The final filing date is Monday, June 16, 2025 by 5:00 pm.
 

The Environmental Services Department is currently looking to hire ONE regular full-time Environmental Compliance Inspector. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future Environmental Compliance Inspector vacancies as a regular or term-limited position.

 

The Environmental Services Department provides comprehensive and innovative environmental utility services for Sunnyvale's residents and businesses, and facilitates initiatives to achieve the City's sustainability objectives. The department brings together technical, operational, and administrative professional disciplines to form its dedicated and dynamic team.

 

These programs help protect our waterways and the San Francisco Bay by ensuring that businesses and residents are implementing best management practices to prevent water pollution and are in compliance with Federal and local water quality regulations. Environmental Compliance Inspectors work closely with a wide variety of businesses to ensure that the composition of their wastewater is in compliance with City requirements and does not compromise the integrity of the City's Water Pollution Control Plant or the sewer collection system. Such businesses range from aerospace and semiconductor manufacturers to dental offices and restaurants. The inspection team is also advancing multiple stormwater initiatives such as trash reduction and controls for pollutants of concern such as mercury and PCBs.

Under general direction, performs journey level inspection and enforcement activities on industrial, commercial, and residential discharges to the sewage and storm drain system for compliance with codes and laws regulating waste processes; and does other related work, as required.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, environmental or chemical engineering,  AND
 
One year of increasingly responsible experience in the collection and analysis of industrial or other wastewater/water samples, or one year of increasingly responsible experience in conducting environmental or regulatory inspections.

 

Licenses/Certificates

Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid Class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.

 

Salary:  $46.48 - $59.32 Hourly

 

A complete application consists of a City application and responses to the required supplemental questions.  The position opens on Monday, May 19, 2025 and the final filing date is Monday, June 16, 2025, at 5:00 pm.  Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. 

 

For complete information regarding this current opportunity, please visit: Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click JOBS

Do you have a passion for the outdoors, trails, and preserving open space?  Are you a motivated and experienced resource management professional?  If so, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) has an excellent opportunity for a skilled Senior Resource Management Specialist to lead the wildlife program in the Natural Resources Department.  This position will oversee program staff and consultants to assess biological resources and natural habitats to identify sensitive resources and make management recommendations to improve and restore habitat and/or to avoid and minimize impacts as well as to address human wildlife conflict, implement wildlife and habitat management projects and provide regulatory permitting oversight.  The anticipated start date for this position is in late-August 2025.

About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact.  If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position!  

About the Position:  The incumbent will be a part of a cohesive team of 15 in the Natural Resources Department, which is part of the Visitor and Field Services service line. The Wildlife Program is comprised of four fulltime program staff, including this position, and an intern. Midpen aims to recruit and retain employees who embody professionalism, accountability, and respect, and who value working in an environment focused on inclusivity, diversity, and equity. For additional information about the position, see the Job Description on Midpen’s website.

The position is a working supervisor meaning that time is divided between program administration, oversight, and staff development while also managing and advancing District projects. Strong supervisory and project management skills are required, as well as an ability to shift seamlessly between program and personnel management. This position works not only within the Natural Resources Department but is often a liaison with other departments and external agencies to advance larger District programs and projects. Wildlife program staff currently specialize in different subject matter expertise, but cross training is provided and providing back up to one another in differing area is expected. The supervisor manages and assigns program staff to oversee and assist with different projects primarily based on their areas of expertise, but also based on available staffing. The wildlife program covers a broad range of topics including but not limited to: permit administration, wildlife conflict management, special status species monitoring and research.   

The Ideal Candidate:

• Possesses a broad breadth of understanding of wildlife management for wide ranging taxa from large megafauna to micro invertebrates

• Experience in negotiating and securing permits (ideally programmatic permits) from regulatory agencies primarily California Department of Fish and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service but may include US Army Corps of Engineers or Regional Water Quality Control Board.
• Experience overseeing sensitive status species monitoring, reporting and recovery efforts
• Supervisory experience for multiple staff and consultant biologists, strong leadership skills, and the ability to mentor and grow junior staff
• Is a creative thinker, problem solver and able to juggle competing priorities
• Strong background in project management, from developing project scopes, schedules and budgets to consultant and contract oversight
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team to deliver capital projects while avoiding and minimizing impacts to sensitive natural resources
• Assists staff in designing projects to reduce the need for mitigation, understands mitigation monitoring and reporting, and works creatively to secure mitigation when needed
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with partner agencies, environmental advocacy groups, scientists and researchers, as well as other staff, boards, volunteers, vendors and the general public
• Strong public speaking skills
• Report writing skills

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job

• Collaborative work that directly supports Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment
• You’ll be part of a talented and dynamic team whose work contributes to providing nature’s benefits to everyone

Work Environment:  This position will report to Midpen’s Administrative Office in Los Altos, CA.  Midpen offers a hybrid office/telecommute work schedule for this position following successful onboarding. A minimum of three days in the office is required per week.  In addition to working in an office setting to complete project tasks and at various venues across the San Francisco Peninsula to present information at public meetings, the Senior Resource Management Specialist may sometimes work in the field and hike steep terrain and wildland areas with poison oak and wildlife.

Field Work: Fieldwork is integral to this position and dependent on the season and current projects.  Fieldwork will require driving District vehicles in remote areas on dirt roads, working in all weather conditions, and hiking through steep terrain and wildland areas. Ideal candidates will be comfortable working in these types of field conditions, as well as in an office environment.

Midpen reserves the right to limit or deny off-duty employment or business ownership which creates a conflict of interest or an incompatibility with District employment. Information can be found in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 4.13 Off-Duty Employment and Business Ownership.

Education and Experience: 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in environmental design, natural resource management, ecology, biology, or a related field, and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in natural resource management preferably in parks, open space, or related field, including at least three (3) years of experience supervising staff, consultants, or contractors. A Master’s Degree is desirable. Professional work experience with parks and open space is highly desired.

Licenses & Certifications Required:   Possession of a valid California Driver’s License. 

Benefits:   Midpen provides an excellent benefits package including health, life & disability insurance as well as CalPERS pension. 

How to Apply: apply online at CalOpps.org.

(To avoid missing email communication regarding your status in this recruitment, add mpropenspace@calopps.org to your contacts or list of safe senders)

First Application Review is Monday, June 16, 2025.  Applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications suitable for the position will be contacted for an interview.

The following application items are required to be considered*:

1. Fully completed CalOpps employment application 

2. Cover letter 

3. Resume 

4. Supplemental question responses

*Incomplete CalOpps employment applications, or applications without the required application items listed here, will not be considered for the position.

Interview Schedule (we are unable to accommodate individual schedules):

First Interview (virtual):  Thursday, July 10, 2025

Written Exercise and Final Interview (in-person): Wednesday, July 23, 2025

A note to applicants who currently live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area: before committing to the application process, and if you haven’t done so already, we suggest evaluating the feasibility of relocation. We recommend researching the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area, the cost to relocate, and typical commute times to Los Altos from outlying areas.

At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department at

(650) 691-1200 or via email at hr@openspace.org.

Put your passion for Open Space to work!

 

The Watershed Planning Project Manager (Class: Project Analyst II or Project Analyst III) will manage projects related to urban river restoration, public access, and open space conservation, master planning, and park development, including design and construction of new park amenities, creation of parkland in urban neighborhoods, renovation of infrastructure and buildings, acquisition of land, and planning in a watershed context. Capital projects include renovation of existing facilities, new construction by contractors and force account, and fee acquisition of land interests.

This is professional and technical work pursuant to the terms of grants, contracts, and applicable regulations, involving frequent communication with others, for a flexible person at an intermediate level. Project managers must also build community and political support, seek funding opportunities, actively cooperate with other government agencies and non-profit organizations, and keep abreast of related planning processes. The work performed will support MRCA’s capital Workprogram for improvements, land acquisition, and major maintenance projects in nature parks within greater Los Angeles, and other MRCA efforts related to public access, open space conservation, habitat restoration, and urban park development. 

Ability to speak Spanish is required.

Para ver la versión de PDF en español, por favor desplácese hacia abajo.

Type

This is a full-time, non-exempt, at-will position.

Supervision

This position may report to the Chief of Watershed Planning, Chief of Park Development, or other Executive-level staff depending on MRCA's needs. Assorted tasks may be supervised by Executive Staff and may include participation in multi-division teams. The position supervises no other staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Implement multiple projects simultaneously: The project manager is the central point of contact on all issues concerning assigned projects and will be responsible for project quality. Perform project tracking, scheduling, and budget management.
• Analyze various planning documents and processes for consistency and impacts on MRCA's watershed planning priorities. Write formal comment letters and informal memoranda.
• Participate in planning processes related to the Los Angeles River and other local watersheds, at both regional and individual project scales.
• Identify potential projects and assess feasibility.
• Write and coordinate grant proposals and research new funding opportunities for land acquisition, park development, and related planning efforts.
• Oversee consultants and contractors, manage contracts, coordinate project team and collaborate with coworkers to ensure that the project scope is completed according to grant agreements, schedules, and cost limits. Assist in selection of consultants/contractors.
• Determine project scope, options, and alternatives to overcome constraints. Revise as often as needed to address unexpected conditions.
• Perform day-to-day administration of grants, prepare required reports and ensure conformance with grant agreements.
• Cooperate with other team members to accomplish project goals.
• Produce written materials including staff reports, text for publication, proposals, progress reports, and a variety of other documents.
• Manage project budgets with funding from multiple sources, keeping abreast of status and expense eligibility requirements, identifying solutions to shortfalls, and keeping up to date as projects evolve.
• Prepare Requests for Proposals/Requests for Bids, and review bids. Select and manage contractors and consultants in conjunction with other staff. Ensure bidding process meets applicable regulations. Assist with estimating and selection of vendors for best value.
• Maintain files, including documentation and authorization for expenses, project progress, contracts and grant agreements, project budgets, contacts, board actions and all other items related to a project’s development.
• Provide support to coworkers on other projects.
• Analyze, verify and obtain payment approvals for invoices.
• Maintain good habits of answering and responding to incoming telephone calls, correspondence, and when communicating and providing customer service to citizens who seek assistance.
• Maintain positive relationships with coworkers, representatives of other government agencies, non-profit organizations, homeowner’s associations, and the public at large.
• Perform related duties as required.

 

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead and participate in group hikes, project site tours, and kayak trips with project stakeholders.
• Quantify and describe the greenhouse gas emissions benefits of potential projects based on latest accepted science, research, and generally accepted methodology.
• Represent the agency in public forums.

Depending on the MRCA's needs, park development may be emphasized in the specific job duties, including:

• Assist with coordination of construction. Achieve budget goals by monitoring vendor costs, change orders, and material and supply costs.
• Coordinate as needed with Construction Supervisors to monitor progress of in-house staff (force account).
• Manage the CEQA compliance process for potential projects.

Depending on the MRCA's needs, management of maintenance funding sources may be emphasized in the specific job duties, including:

• Analyze proposed expenses for eligibility and determine appropriate funding sources for expenses.
• Assist with budget development and monitoring for multiple locations and funds.
• Liaison frequently between operations and maintenance staff and finance staff to ensure smooth administrative processes.
• Distinguish between maintenance and capital expenses and providing documentation for full reimbursement.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position, occasionally move about inside the office to access supplies and office machinery, frequently communicate and exchange information, review handwritten, electronic and facsimile documents, observe site conditions, and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. The employee must occasionally move items weighing up to 20 pounds inside the office.

Required Hours and Location

Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week with some scheduling flexibility. Occasional overtime work in evenings or weekends upon prior approval by supervisor. The position will work out of the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens but may be required to travel to various other locations. Offices at the River Center are spread among multiple buildings and floors. Remote working or a hybrid schedule may be allowed, subject to supervisor approval.

Public Contact

As public parklands, the majority of MRCA properties are open to the general public during operating hours. This position is likely to have physical contact with members of the public in public areas such as parking lots and shared public/office restrooms and during in-person public meetings. The MRCA is committed to protecting its staff by ensuring appropriate physical distancing and proper infection control while supporting equitable access to services. Our requirements are based on the current County of Los Angeles guidance, and are subject to change as the County updates their policies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Education and Experience

• B.A. or B.S. degree or higher.  Relevant course studies include natural resources, engineering, planning, environmental science, geography, biology, hydrology, landscape architecture, environmental design, or related fields.
• Two (2) years of highly relevant experience performing project management duties that include: creative problem solving, working on an interdisciplinary team, coordinating consultants, technical writing, scheduling, and budgeting.
• Experience desired in: public speaking; community outreach/engagement; identifying and applying for project specific funding; and construction trade or construction management.
• Ability to speak Spanish is required.

Training and Certification

• Must have a valid California driver’s license in good standing with a satisfactory driving record at the time of hire.
• Basic First Aid and CPR certification (or ability to complete within 6 months).

Knowledge of: 

• Developed understanding the watershed planning context, including in and around the Los Angeles River watershed.
• Intermediate proficiency with Office 365 and email, with particular emphasis on word-processing and spreadsheet programs. Basic understanding of native plants, animals, and ecosystems of Southern California.
• Basic understanding of California Environmental Quality Act requirements (or ability to learn within 6 months).
• Office practices and procedures.

Ability to:

• Prioritize varying tasks and projects, manage time, and make regular, consistent progress on multiple projects at once.
• Cooperate with coworkers and revise project approach as needed to accommodate concerns.
• Work independently, or as part of a team.
• Must be organized with meticulous attention to detail.
• Revise work approach to address changed conditions.
• Complete projects and follow oral and written directions.
• Quickly change tasks and focus.
• Consistently follow agency procedures.
• Exercise discretion and sensitivity to confidential information.
• Read maps and navigate through greater Los Angeles, in both urban developed and undeveloped open space areas.
• Prepare written and graphic materials for a variety of audiences.
• Communicate to a variety of audiences about Agency projects and objectives.
• Read maps and navigate through greater Los Angeles, in both urban developed and undeveloped open space areas.
• Learn technical material and advanced technical writing proficiency.
• Innovate and improve processes.

Competencies:

• Excellent oral and written English language skills. Not required to be a native English speaker, but fluency in English will be required.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work including the general public.

 

Other Requirements

Candidates must have a valid California driver’s license in good standing with a satisfactory driving record. Employees must be willing to participate in agency emergency response.

All appointment offers are contingent upon the following:

• Background check including submission of fingerprints to the Department of Justice and a record clean of violent crimes or felonies.
• Successful completion of a physical examination including a drug test and TB test.
• Verification of the right to work in the United States.

 

COMPENSATION

Wages

The range of hourly rates for a Project Analyst II is $27.27 to $33.15.

The range of hourly rates for a Project Analyst III is $30.57 to $37.15.

Classification Level

The selected candidate may be hired as a Project Analyst II or Project Analyst III, depending on experience. A Project Analyst II will perform the functions with a moderate level of supervision, making some judgments independently, and regular check-ins for guidance and task prioritization. A Project Analyst III will perform the functions with a low level of supervision and less frequent check-ins to verify tasks and decision support. A Project Analyst III shall have the ability to advance into a team leadership role and determine project direction.

This job announcement is not intended to, and does not, create an employment contract of any kind and does not create any express or implied contractual obligations. Employment at MRCA is at-will without exception. The employee and MRCA may terminate employment at any time with or without advance notice and with or without cause.

Any provision contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.