Environmental Program Manager

City of San José; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San José Environmental Services Department seeks a senior leader for the Watershed Protection Division to oversee stormwater programs and regulatory compliance. You will guide data-driven actions, manage budgets and grants, and coordinate with other departments and partners to meet city and state requirements.

Strong leadership, budgeting, and communication skills are essential, as is experience overseeing environmental programs and teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, public or business administration, or closely related field.
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in overseeing environmental programs, including two years of supervisory experience.
• Ability to complete Form 700 disclosure and related requirements.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with federal/state regulations and department goals.
• Analyze data across interdepartmental partners to optimize city operations.
• Lead staff and manage budgeting, grants, contracts, and asset management.
• Collaborate with City departments and external partners on program alignment.
• Provide technical advice and serve as a representative to outside agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Budget management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences or related field

Tools

MS Outlook

MS Word

MS PowerPoint

MS Access

MS Excel

Job description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at [e-mail].

About The Department

The City of San José's Environmental Services Department (ESD) is an award-winning department with a mission to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve our health, environment, and economy. The Department is a national leader in managing garbage and recycling services; watershed protection and pollution prevention; municipal drinking water and recycled water; sustainability initiatives; and the operation and infrastructure improvements of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José.

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents!

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X, Facebook, and Instagram, and San José Environmental Services on LinkedIn.

About The Watershed Protection Division

The Watershed Protection Division provides services that support the City's efforts to protect water quality in local creeks and the Bay. These services are integral to the City's management of both wastewater and stormwater. The Watershed Protection Division is comprised of 80 employees across four programs: Industrial Pretreatment, Environmental Enforcement, Stormwater Management, and Emergency Management & Real Estate.

The Stormwater Management Section is tasked to oversee the City’s implementation and compliance with the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit and consists of three teams: Trash Load Reduction, New and Redevelopment, and Monitoring and Pollutants of Concern. This program coordinates with over 10 departments to ensure the City meets stormwater compliance mandates set forth by the State’s San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Also, the team participates in a Countywide consortium called Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program where staff collaborate with other agencies throughout the Valley and Bay region.

The Trash Load Reduction team coordinates with multiple City departments, local non-profit partners, regional peers, and the public to implement the Stormwater Permit provisions related to several programs that includes full trash capture, on land visual assessment, direct discharge, private lands, etc.. This team works closely alongside with other departments to ensure Stormwater Permit compliance is met.

Position Duties

Salary range(s) for this classification is $139,077.12 - $174,174.00

This salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Typical duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Utilize creative and strategic thinking to determine ways to achieve and maintain 100% compliance with multiple assigned Stormwater Permit, Grant, and other regulatory requirements.
• Ensures that work products and action plans are in support of departmental and City goals, objectives, and mandates; ensures the implementation of Federal and State regulations for the City.
• Gather and analyze multiple data sets from interdepartmental and interagency partners to optimize City operations in support of regulatory compliance.

• Leads staff by example and vision; ensures staff involvement in a broad range of decision-making and encourages accountability and results oriented processes.
• Develops and oversees assigned budget and associated fiscal operations which includes, grant funding, contract negotiations and lease agreements; oversees budget implementation and on-going administration; projects and forecasts funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors approved budget, recommending adjustments as necessary.

• Collaborate regularly with other City Departments and/or City management to ensure compliance and/or program alignment.
• Interface with the public and collaborate with non-profit partners.
• Implement and manage the City’s Adopt A Storm Drain program.

• Provide oversight and support to Stormwater Permit and other regulatory requirements, such as Cost Reporting, Asset Management, Public Outreach and Education, grant application and management, etc.

• Build and implement field data collection and assessment programs, perform in-field assessments of trash loading and trash management actions.
• Assist in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, and providing highly responsible professional and technical advice.
• Perform complex work which requires exercising sound judgment and applying professional knowledge and skills to programs, policies, and problems that have Division-wide implications.
• Serve as a representative to outside agencies and organizations; participates in professional groups and committees.
• Serve as a technical and professional resource, providing data analysis and support reflective of the City’s concerns and interests.
• Monitor and stay abreast of new trends, laws, regulations, and innovations; researching emerging products and enhancements including integrated systems solutions and their applicability to stormwater quality regulatory requirements;
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings and public meetings. Provide coordination with regional stakeholders and City departments
• Mentor and manage interdepartmental and interagency work groups.

• Potential to lead a team of direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental sciences, public or business administration, or a closely related field

Experience: five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in overseeing and administering environmental programs, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Form 700 requirement

This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Other Qualifications

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

• Computer Skills - Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

• Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

• Fiscal Management – Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

• Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.
• Management - Evaluates priorities to ensure the 'true' top priorities are handled satisfactorily; sets clear goals for the employees and the work unit.

• Political Skills – In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.

• Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jessica Delgado at [e-mail]

Additional Information

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email [e-mail] and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.