Associate Environmental Specialist

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits options

Pension through CALPERS

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

A regional water authority in Los Angeles is seeking an Associate Environmental Specialist to support water quality initiatives and environmental studies. The role involves analyzing legislation, preparing briefings, and collaborating across teams to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and relevant experience is required. This position provides a hybrid work schedule and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience.
• Proficient in state and federal regulations including SDWA and CWA.
• Experience preparing internal briefings and technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Support water quality and environmental studies and projects.
• Monitor and summarize legislative and regulatory developments.
• Prepare internal briefings and collaborate with various groups.

Skills

Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or related field

Master's degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

Overview

At Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver pure reliable water to regions serving 19 million people—and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of Talented Employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible.

This is the journey level position performing Associate Environmental Specialist job duties.

This position reports directly to the Team Manager of Operational Regulatory Services and serves as a regulatory specialist supporting water quality and environmental studies and projects, with a primary focus on analyzing and interpreting water quality legislation and regulations.

The incumbent must be proficient in state and federal regulations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and California-specific environmental regulations. Responsibilities include monitoring and summarizing pertinent legislative and regulatory developments, developing proposed positions, and evaluating their impact on Metropolitan and its member agencies.

The position prepares internal briefings, including memos, board letters, and presentation materials, and may also work on regulations affecting water system operations, including those related to water quality and treatment, hazardous materials, air quality, recycled water, and environmental, health and safety. The incumbent collaborates with various groups throughout Metropolitan including Operations, Water Quality, External Affairs, Water Resources, Safety, Legal and others, and represents Metropolitan at public meetings, workgroups, and industry forums.

This position acts as a liaison to member agencies, trade associations, and regulatory agencies, and is expected to develop as a subject matter expert (SME) in assigned areas to enhance team efficiency and reduce review burden across the organization.

What You’ll Find Working Here

• Be part of Metropolitan’s mission to ensure safe and reliable water for the region, not just for today, but for generations ahead.

• You’ll help sustain life for millions while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to innovation, environmental stewardship, and community impact.

• In addition to a meaningful mission, Metropolitan offers competitive starting salaries, comprehensive benefits options, pension through CALPERS and more (see below for the full benefits list)

Work Schedule

Work Schedule: 9/80, Monday through Friday, Every other Friday off.

Hybrid Schedule

Hybrid Schedule: Metropolitan’s current practice in this position is a hybrid work schedule. This typically includes two days a week in person and the other days remote. This is subject to change dependent on organizational needs. In addition, a telework policy is scheduled for negotiations and once completed and implemented, will provide final direction on the hybrid schedule.

Employment Standards Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and four years of relevant experience; or two years in an MWD Assistant Environmental Specialist II classification; or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and two years of relevant experience.

A degree (Bachelors or Masters) in a related field is defined as: Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Biology, Environmental Planning, or other directly related environmental or social sciences degree.

Relevant Experience is defined as: Experience with environmental laws and regulations including, but not limited to, state and federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Indirect and Direct Potable Reuse regulations and Clean Water Act.

Experience includes preparing internal briefings such as memos, board letters, and presentation materials, and reviewing and analyzing regulations affecting water system operations, including those related to drinking water, hazardous materials, air quality, and recycled water. Experience should include preparation of technical reports, and regulatory permit applications and project management experience to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registration Requirements

License(s): Valid California Class C Driver’s License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.

About MWD

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities, who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please call [phone] or email: [e-mail].

Metropolitan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic(s).

Application Filing Period

Application Filing Period: Closes at 4:30 pm PST on the date stated in the job announcement. However, it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.

Qualifying Experience

Qualifying Experience: Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part-time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship: Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment-based immigration case).