Public Works Program Specialist, Senior

County of Santa Barbar; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Health plan

On-site health clinics

Retirement credit / service time

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara's Public Works Department is seeking a full-time professional in Santa Barbara to administer solid waste contracts, coordinate programs, and provide technical guidance to staff and the public.

The ideal candidate holds a four-year degree, has several years of relevant experience, strong written and verbal communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, and deadlines with professionalism and integrity.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in research, planning, or implementation of solid waste recycling or diversion programs.
• Two years of experience performing solid waste recycling or diversion program duties equivalent to the class of Public Works Program Specialist II.
• A combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to the above employment standards.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex and specialized water resources or solid waste contract administration duties.
• Coordinate, implement, and maintain assigned programs.
• Provide information, expertise, and technical assistance to staff, educators, government agencies, and the public.
• Lead workers as needed and supervise interns.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field

Three years of professional experience in solid waste planning or contracts

Two years of experience equivalent to Public Works Program Specialist II

Job description

Salary: $99,602.88 - $119,891.20 Annually

The County of Santa Barbara's Public Works Department's Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division is currently accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time vacancy in Santa Barbara.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW!

Vacation:

12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.

Holidays:

13 days per year.

Sick Leave:

12 days per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.

Health Plan:

Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.

On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria:

Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 15.

Retirement reciprocity

Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

THE POSITION:

Under general direction, performs complex and specialized water resources or solid waste contract administration duties; coordinates, implements, and maintains assigned programs; provides information, expertise, and technical assistance to staff, educators, government agencies, and the general public; may act as a lead worker; and performs related duties as required.

The Resource Recovery and Waste Management Specialty emphasizes the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of solid waste collection, diversion, and recycling programs in Santa Barbara County.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

The ideal candidate will enjoy working both independently and as part of a team and exhibit the following characteristics and skills:

• Highly professional and ethical
• Excellent problem solver
• Strong communicator, both orally and in writing
• Ability to analyze complex documents and data
• Experience with managing solid waste franchise agreements
• Familiarity with municipal rate setting procedures
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and stick to deadlines
• Exceptionally organized
• Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations

ABOUT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT:

The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department consists of six divisions: Transportation, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Water Resources Division & Flood Control District, Laguna County Sanitation District, the County Surveyors Office, and Administration. The County's Public Works Department employees are committed to efficiently providing, operating and maintaining public works infrastructure, facilities and services to make everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve. To learn more about us, visit www.countyofsb.org/pwd/.

Coordinates, implements, and monitors a variety of new and established, complex, environmentally-sensitive or resource-related programs and/or service contracts, such as franchise agreements for the collection of solid waste, recyclables, and green waste for all residential and commercial customers in the unincorporated areas of the County; evaluates programs and service providers and follows through on contract enforcement; monitors program budgets and receives, approves, and codes related invoices; researches, compiles, analyzes, and interprets information and data; calculates solid waste collection rates; and prepares narrative and technical reports to meet internal, state, and federal reporting requirements.

Assesses the need for new programs; conducts surveys; develops grant proposals and explores funding options; writes project work plans and scope of work for professional services; negotiates contracts and budgets; prepares and distributes Requests for Proposals; and evaluates, ranks, and participates in the selection of contractors.

Prepares reports on projected costs, revenues, and tonnages of different material types for County and external entities.

Reviews existing and proposed legislation for impact on programs; writes, publishes, and/or distributes guidelines, policies, and manuals; performs special projects; prepares Board letters; and makes presentations before the Board of Supervisors.

Represents the Public Works Department at professional conferences, on committees, and to other governmental jurisdictions, outside agencies, contractors, media representatives, and the public; writes articles for County and other professional newsletters, publications, and Internet Websites; and responds to inquiries and resolves program complaints from the public.

Acts as an internal consultant to Public Works staff and other County departments; assigns and reviews the work of staff; provides training for entry-level program staff; and interviews, selects, trains, and evaluates the performance of interns.

Possession of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university; AND:

• Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in research, planning, or implementation of solid waste recycling or diversion programs; OR,
• Two years of experience performing solid waste recycling or diversion program duties equivalent to the class of Public Works Program Specialist II with Santa Barbara County;OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Candidates whose four-year degree is in a field related to the specialty assignment, e.g., environmental studies, biological sciences, natural resource management, or urban or regional planning, may substitute the specialized education for one year of the required experience.

Additional Qualifications:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required.

Knowledge of:

contemporary environmental issues; principles and techniques of contract administration, budgeting, and public relations; research methods; basic math, including fractions and percentages; standard English grammar, usage, and syntax; local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies related to solid waste management; principles of solid waste management, including waste reduction, handling, processing, diversion, and disposal; resource recovery and source reduction programs; and composting technology, techniques, and materials.

Ability to:

represent the department with tact and diplomacy; conduct oneself professionally during tense or controversial situations; interact appropriately with representatives of the media; read, understand, and interpret technical information; gather and analyze information, draw valid conclusions, and make decisions; prepare effective written correspondence, technical reports, and promotional materials using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax; perform basic math computations involving fractions and percentages; prepare cost/benefit analyses; prepare and give public presentations before small and large groups and decision-making bodies; lead public meetings, facilitate discussions, and keep discussions focused; identify concerns, and report back to management; establish and maintain effective working relationships; resolve citizen complaints; organize multiple projects simultaneously and set priorities to meet deadlines; design new programs, including timelines and budgets; prepare, negotiate, evaluate, and monitor contracts; work independently; administer a contract budget; identify resulting consequences of actions; use keyboards and personal computers including word-processing, database, and graphics software and the Internet; assign and review the work of others; and train and evaluate staff.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking –Responses to the required examination supplemental questions will be evaluated and scored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than [11] qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Conditional Job Offer:

Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Workers:

Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: September 9, 2026, by 4:59 p.m. PST

Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Kim Clark, HR Specialist, [e-mail]