Environmental Compliance Technician

City of Tracy; Tracy (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Tracy is seeking Environmental Compliance Technicians to support water distribution and supply, water resource conservation, and pretreatment programs. Technicians perform inspections, educate the public, and maintain records in compliance with local, state, and federal standards.

Positions focus on field work in various weather conditions, with responsibilities including backflow device testing, enforcing regulations, and preparing technical reports.

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus at least one year of college-level courses or specialized training in environmental studies or a related field.
• Three years of experience related to office and/or field work; inspections, information gathering, reports, and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and sample water, wastewater, and related systems to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Prepare inspection reports and maintain accurate records.
• Educate residents and businesses on water conservation, backflow, and code requirements.
• Interact with contractors, property owners, and the public to enforce compliance.

Skills

Communication

Public outreach

Field inspections

Recordkeeping

Data entry

Education

Environmental studies training

Job description

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: NOVEMBER 12, 2026

Oral Board Exam: WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30TH OR DECEMBER 7TH

Selection interview: WEEK OF DECEMBER 14TH

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Tracy is recruiting three Environmental Compliance Technicians to support essential environmental programs that protect public health, our water systems, and the community we serve. These roles are highly interactive and require strong communication skills, professionalism, and the ability to build positive relationships with residents, businesses, contractors, and industry partners. Technicians spend much of their time in the field, working in all weather conditions, conducting inspections, educating the public, and helping ensure compliance with local, state, and federal standards.

Across all assignments, technicians maintain and monitor databases of rule violations and investigations, respond to public inquiries, prepare inspection reports, and keep accurate records in accordance with City procedures. They help develop and deliver community outreach and education, represent the City at meetings and events, and support enforcement activities by organizing documentation, preparing technical reports, and conducting follow‑up sampling. They also interpret and explain regulations to customers and perform other related duties as assigned.

Each of the three positions focuses on a different program area:

Water Distribution and Supply (Cross‑Connection Control)

This assignment supports the City’s cross‑connection control program for the public water system. The technician ensures backflow devices are properly maintained and functioning to protect drinking water quality. Candidates with experience repairing, testing, or maintaining backflow assemblies will thrive here, especially those comfortable working closely with contractors, businesses, and property owners.

Water Resource (Conservation)

This role supports the City’s water conservation and efficiency efforts, including public outreach, education, and enforcement of conservation‑related codes. The technician serves as a community‑facing ambassador for responsible water use, helping residents and businesses understand requirements and best practices. A background in conservation, public education, or code enforcement is especially valuable.

Pretreatment

This assignment supports the City’s pretreatment and wastewater compliance programs, with a strong focus on fats, oils, and grease (FOG). The technician inspects and samples commercial and industrial sites, monitors FOG compliance, prepares and maintains wastewater discharge permits, and works directly with industrial and commercial users to interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulations. The role also investigates illegal discharges into the wastewater system and assists with compiling and preparing the City’s annual state pretreatment report.

WHY CHOOSE CITY OF TRACY

The City of Tracy offers excellent pay, including 4% COLA increases in July 2027, and 2028. Employees approved to work a compressed work schedule also enjoy strong work–life balance through a 9/80 schedule, providing a three‑day weekend every other week.

Our competitive benefits package includes the option of an HMO medical plan (other plans available), dental, and vision coverage for employee + family, with the City’s contribution covering all or nearly the entire premium depending on bargaining unit. Employees also receive generous vacation and sick leave, life insurance, optional 457(b) deferred compensation with a City match, and longevity pay.

We proudly participate in CalPERS, with employees enrolled in either the 2% @ 55 or 2% @ 62 formula based on eligibility, with retirement calculated using a three‑year final compensation average.

For a full overview of everything we offer, check out our Benefits section to learn more about the programs and support available to City of Tracy employees. Together, these benefits reflect our commitment to employee well‑being, long‑term stability, and rewarding career growth.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex duties which, depending on assignment, include pretreatment inspections and tests of water, stormwater pollution prevention, water quality, water conservation and efficient uses, backflow, wastewater, cross connection programs, and/or industrial wastes; collects stormwater, water, wastewater and/or industrial wastes samples; conducts field investigations and audits of construction projects to determine compliance with regulations and permit conditions; contacts industrial and institutional customers concerning water conservation and/or wastewater disposal services; prepares reports; and performs related duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a technical classification performing a wide variety of environmental inspection duties. Incumbents serve to relieve the supervisor of performing technical detail work and are expected to function with very little direct oversight. Successful performance of the work requires the frequent use of tact, discretion, and independent judgment, knowledge of departmental and City activities, and extensive staff contact. This class is distinguished from other technical classes by the nature, scope, complexity, and diversity of responsibilities involved in the environmental compliance function. This class is distinguished from the Environmental Compliance Analyst in that the latter is responsible for the more complex work, including program administration.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

When performing Water Resource assignments:

• Inspects commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential properties for compliance with water restrictions/prohibitions and discharges of stormwater to the City's storm drain system; enforces water and stormwater violations.
• Inspects and enforces new and redevelopment construction projects for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; ensures installed Post‑Construction Stormwater Treatment facilities and devices are compliant with standards and verifies self‑monitoring reports; inspects as necessary to confirm.
• Verifies and approves customers for qualifying water conservation and efficiency rebate and incentive programs.
• Assist in the implementation of practices and procedures for the City's Water Conservation and Efficiency Program, including inputting water consumption data collected; assists with preparing reports and notices for the City and outside regulatory agencies.

When performing Pretreatment assignments:

• Inspects, monitors, and conducts sampling at various categorical and non‑categorical commercial and industrial sites, including conducting comprehensive inspections of new and existing industry, restaurants, and contaminated projects for compliance with fat oils and grease programs and wastewater discharge regulations; evaluates environmental risks associated with industrial processes and activities; ensures hazardous chemicals are stored in accordance with regulations.
• Monitors the fats, oils, and grease (FOG) inspection program; conducts, tracks, and schedules inspections.
• Prepares accurate records and correspondence, including writing, updating, negotiating, and maintaining industrial wastewater discharge permits and holding tank wastewater discharge permits. Meet and correspond with industrial and commercial users to interpret and implement federal, state, and local regulations, ordinances, and policies of the pretreatment program.
• Investigate and trace the sources of illegal industrial wastes entering the City's wastewater collection system.

When performing Water Distribution and Supply Assignments:

• Test and repair installed backflow prevention devices at City facilities to ensure compliance with all laws and ordinances.
• Contacts customers to ensure compliance with backflow device requirements and ensures customers make appropriate repairs; generates and sends initial notices, follow‑up notices, and final notices to owners of backflow devices for annual testing; maintains records and files on backflow prevention devices, locations, inspections, testing, and corrections.
• Conduct disinfection and bacteriological testing and sampling for new water mains.
• Maintain database of all public and privately owned backflow devices to ensure reporting compliance with Federal and State regulatory programs.

When performing all assignments:

• Maintains and monitors database of rule violations, investigations, and findings.
• Responds to public inquiries regarding area of assignment.
• Prepares written inspection reports and related documentation for the pretreatment, stormwater management, and/or water conservation and efficiency programs; maintains inspection documentation and records as required in accordance with established City records management procedures.
• Assists in researching, developing, and implementing community outreach and public education materials around pretreatment, stormwater management, and/or water conservation projects and programs; speaks to groups and individuals regarding City programs and efforts; participates as an active and contributing member of designated community organizations, industry specific committees/project teams, and special interest work groups as a representative of the City as assigned.
• Organizes, maintains, and documents all required information for enforcement of City code as directed by the federal, state, and local requirements; prepares technical reports, evidence, and documentation; conducts follow up sampling and inspections.
• Reads, interprets, applies, and explains regulations and standards to customers.
• Maintains accurate records of work performed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLDEGE OF

• Principles, practices, and programs for the City’s industrial wastewater pretreatment program, the industrial waste inspection function, and related programs and projects.
• Principles and practices of water conservation and efficiency.
• Principles and practices of stormwater discharge management.
• Practices and techniques related to wastewater and/or hazardous materials sampling and sample handling.
• Practices and techniques of performing industrial facility and process inspections.
• Practices and techniques of performing construction and industrial inspections.
• Principles and practices and terminology of cross‑connection and backflow prevention.
• Principles of chemical, biological and related sciences.
• Principles, practices, and terminology of residential, industrial, construction, and commercial wastewater discharge source control.
• Principles, practices and terminology of pollution prevention as related to water quality.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety procedures, including confined space entry procedures and related safety equipment.
• Applicable federal and state laws; city, department, and division regulations, codes, policies, and procedures.
• Recordkeeping principles and procedures.
• Principles and practices of data collection and technical report preparation.
• Basic and advanced arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

ABILITY TO

• Perform in‑depth inspections of construction, residential, industrial, and commercial users.
• Collect water, wastewater, fats, oil, and grease samples to be analyzed in the lab.
• Assemble data and prepare reports and maintain records of testing and findings.
• Read and interpret a variety of meters, gauges, and recording charts.
• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow‑up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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 the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by at least one (1) year of college‑level courses or specialized training in environmental studies or a related field and three (3) years of experience related to office and/or field work, inspections, information gathering, making reports, performing customer service/public contact, interpreting, and applying policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. Experience with creating public outreach materials, making presentations, and performing inspections and/or doing sampling in any field are highly desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license upon appointment.
• May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.
• When performing water resource assignments, a Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control (CISEC) from CISEC, Inc., OR Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), OR Certified Erosion Sediment & Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI) from EnviroCert International, Inc., OR either Qualified Stormwater Developer (QSD) OR Qualified Stormwater Practitioner (QSP) from Office of Water Programs (OWP) is required within 6 months of hire.
• When performing water efficiency assignments, a Water Use Efficiency Grade I from American Water Works Association (AWWA) is highly desirable.
• When performing water distribution and supply assignments, a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification and Cross Connection Specialist Certification from American Water Works Association are required within 6 months of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

N/A

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City of Tracy employees are, by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers. The roles and responsibilities for Disaster Service Workers are authorized by the California Emergency Services Act and are defined in the California Labor Code. In the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee of the City may be assigned to perform activities which promote the protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property. Such assignments may require service at locations, times, and under conditions that are significantly different than the normal work assignments and may continue into the recovery phase of the emergency. If a “Local Emergency” is declared during the employee’s shift, employees will be expected to remain at work to respond to the emergency needs of the community. If a “Local Emergency” is declared outside of the employee’s shift, employees must make every effort to contact their direct supervisor or department head to obtain reporting instructions as Disaster Service Workers.

GENERAL INFORMATION

All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. A fully completed application is required; a résumé does not replace the information required on the employment application, including work history. Applications listing “see résumé,” lacking clear employment information, or providing insufficient detail to evaluate minimum qualifications will not be considered. Missing information cannot be assumed.

For some recruitments, a limited number of the most highly qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may include an oral panel interview, written exercise, practical skills demonstration, or a combination of these components.

An employment list will be established for candidates who pass the examination process. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. The list will remain active for at least one year, with the possibility of extension in six‑month increments. When vacancies occur, eligible candidates may be contacted by the hiring department for additional interviews. The City has the ability to declare a list invalid if no qualified candidates are selected from the employment list, if this occurs candidates will be notified.

All notices and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their email address is accurate and capable of receiving messages. Emails will come from NEOGOV.COM, which may be filtered into spam/junk folders depending on your email provider.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Prior to hire, candidates must successfully complete a pre‑employment process, which may include a reference check, DOJ/FBI fingerprinting, credit check, physical examination, and drug test.

RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations may be made for disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations must submit the Request for Reasonable Accommodations Form to the Human Resources Analyst by phone or email prior to the test date.

DISCLAIMER

The City of Tracy is an equal opportunity employer. Equal employment opportunity applies to all aspects of personnel policy and practice, including recruitment, hiring, development, advancement, and treatment of employees, to the extent permitted by law.

The City of Tracy reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer at any time to better meet organizational needs.