Environmental Scientist

United Water Conservation District; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United Water Conservation District in Oxnard, CA seeks an Environmental Scientist/Regulatory Affairs Specialist to provide regulatory compliance expertise guiding complex water resources projects.

You will lead CEQA/NEPA, ESA and Clean Water Act processes, advise staff and management, and coordinate with agencies to ensure sound science and environmental stewardship while managing contracts and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an environmental-related field (e.g., biology, environmental studies).
• Experience with CEQA and NEPA planning processes; familiarity with state and federal environmental permitting.
• 4–6 years of experience with environmental, regulatory, and permitting matters relevant to water resource facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise during project planning and development; prepare project-specific regulatory documentation.
• Advise staff and management on regulatory and technical matters to ensure compliance and sound science guiding decisions.
• Represent the District on regulatory and permitting matters to agencies and organizations; build effective working relationships with stakeholders.
• Guide CEQA/NEPA processes and other environmental permitting efforts (e.g., CWA 404/401, ESA, CESA, FERC) for water projects.
• Perform administrative tasks: budgets, contracts, grant management, and compliance reporting.
• May supervise or direct other staff in the Environmental Services Department.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Environmental laws

Project management

Technical writing

Communication skills

GIS proficiency

Data analysis

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental field

Master's degree desirable

Tools

GIS

R

Job description

PURPOSE

The work of the District’s Environmental Services Department centers on supporting the District’s efforts to achieve its mission to manage, protect, conserve and enhance the region's water supply in an environmentally balanced manner. The Environmental Scientist/ Regulatory Affairs Specialist provides expertise in the realm of regulatory compliance to guide and complete projects that support the District’s environmental and conservation initiatives and functions intended to achieve the District’s mission and ensure long-term sustainability of the District’s water resources programs. Primary responsibilities center on the regulatory and compliance components of the District’s projects. This includes playing both a lead and support role in the project planning, management, and implementation process for large, complex, and technical projects that are highly specialized in the water resource management sector.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical expertise and guidance during project planning and development phase. Prepare project-specific documentation (e.g., regulatory application packages, implementation reports, and associated correspondence).
• Advise District staff, Board of Directors, and executive management on regulatory and technical matters for District projects to ensure that sound science and regulatory compliance requirements are informing decisions in support of achieving the District’s mission.
• Represent the District on regulatory and permitting matters to governmental agencies, various organizations, and the general public; and develop effective working relationships with representatives of key agencies and organizations.
• Guide state and federal environmental review (e.g., CEQA, NEPA, cultural) and permitting (e.g., ESA, CESA, Clean Water Act, LSA, FERC license requirements) processes to support the District’s development, implementation, and operation of water resources projects.

• Perform administrative tasks, as required, of the Environmental Services Department, including developing and managing contracts with consultants, developing and tracking budgets, grant applications and management, preparing reports and presentations for Board meetings, and maintaining records on project activities and the District’s compliance with requirements of federal, state, and local environmental laws, rules, and regulations.

• May supervise or direct the work of other staff in the Environmental Services Department.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations along with the functions, procedures and organization of state and federal governmental agencies that administer these laws, including familiarity with the Endangered Species Act, the California Endangered Species Act, FERC licensing and compliance, Clean Water Act permitting, Lake and Streambed Alteration agreements, the California Environmental Quality Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
• Principles of ecology, biology, hydrology, geomorphology, and water resource management.
• Scientific methods and techniques of data collection, management, and analysis for ecological studies.
• Preparation of formal documents including reports, letters, presentations, application packages, and other clearly written professional communication.
• Principles and practices of management for projects, contracts, and budgets.
• Current technology, field equipment, and computers necessary to perform work tasks.

Ability to:

• Manage projects to ensure that they are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Apply principles of logic and scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Read, analyze, and interpret complex documents and data.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Develop, review, and edit reports, correspondence and other technical documents.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District staff, Board of Directors, outside agencies, and the public.

Desirable Experience and Knowledge (not required):

• Oncorhynchus mykiss biology and monitoring techniques
• Dreissenid mussel biology
• Invasive species management
• Stream ecology
• Limnology
• Native flora and fauna of the Santa Clara River watershed
• Biological resource survey and monitoring techniques
• Plant and wildlife identification
• ESA Section 7 and/or Section 10 Habitat Conservation Plans
• Cultural experience
• Avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures
• Water resources management
• Proficiency with GIS
• Proficiency with data analysis software such as R
• Database management and streamlining techniques
• Grant experience
• Leadership experience

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in an environmental-related field (e.g., biology, environmental studies, fisheries science, water science, etc.). Masters degree is highly desirable.
• A minimum of 4-6 years of experience with environmental, regulatory, and permitting matters relevant to the operation of water resource facilities.
• Experienced in CEQA and NEPA planning processes including the development of CEQA and NEPA documents. Experienced in project management and state and federal environmental permitting including Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401, ESA, CESA, Fish and Game Code, and FERC license requirements. Understanding of and demonstrated ability to navigate state, regional, and local regulation processes.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License is required upon hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor conditions may include rain, high winds, and unusually high or low regional temperatures and exposure to outside elements. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may also be occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and high, precarious places. The following are additional requirements of the position:

• Mobility: Job tasks are varied and require standing, walking (sometimes on uneven terrain), sitting, climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, and crawling.
• Lifting: frequent lifting up to 20 pounds; occasional lifting up to 60 pounds.
• Vision: constant use of overall vision, including near vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to work in front of a computer screen for several hours at a time.
• Dexterity: occasional grasping, fine manipulation, reaching, pushing, and pulling; occasional use of touch to distinguish or identify objects.
• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
• Emotional/Psychological: frequent contact with coworkers and others; depending on assignment, may also frequently work alone. The employee is also expected to respond in emergency situations.
• Environmental: exposure to moderate noise levels, but hearing protection must be worn in certain areas; frequent exposure to chemicals; occasionally uses smell to distinguish or identify objects.