Regulatory Specialist – Project Design & Development - Public Works (5620)

Socket.dev; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

San Francisco Public Works seeks a Regulatory Specialist in the Project Design and Development division to assure compliance with federal, state, and local laws across construction, planning, development, maintenance, and operations projects.

The role involves tracking regulations, advising management, and coordinating permit processing, environmental sampling, and plan reviews to manage liabilities and ensure regulatory adherence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural sciences, engineering, environmental or resource planning or related field; four years of regulatory experience.
• Bachelor's license: California driver license required.
• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience; law degree for one year; PhD for two years.

Responsibilities

• Research and track federal, state and local regulations affecting the department.
• Advise management on pertinent regulations and recommended actions.
• Provide regulatory expertise and permit processing support to managers and staff.
• Review plans (planning, capital, property management, maintenance) for compliance.
• Assist in environmental sampling programs and regulatory investigations.
• Present technical information to regulatory agencies and related public bodies.
• Develop and maintain permit files and inspection procedures.
• Operates city vehicles as needed.

Skills

Regulatory research

Regulatory compliance

Regulatory analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural sciences, engineering, environmental or resource planning

Job description

San Francisco Public Works is seeking a Regulatory Specialist at the Project Design and Development division.

Under direction, the Regulatory Specialist assists in assuring that all San Francisco Public Works construction, planning and development, and maintenance and operations projects comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Your duties as Regulatory Specialist may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Research and track all federal, state and local regulations that may affect the department
• Advise management of pertinent and timely regulations and make recommendations on the appropriate departmental actions
• Provides regulatory expertise and permit processing support to managers and staff
• Reviews plans including planning and development plans, capital improvement project plans, property management & maintenance plans, and other related plans
• Performs or oversees consultants' performance of an environmental sample collection and analysis program
• Assists in making technical presentations to regulatory agencies and related public agencies
• Implements and assists in developing permit processing and inspection practices and procedures related to compliance with regulations affecting operations and facilities maintenance projects, property development and management and land-use programs to manage environmental liabilities
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with a diverse staff
• Establishes and maintains permit files
• Drives city vehicles

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in natural sciences, engineering, environmental or resource planning or a related field;AND

Experience: Four (4) years of verifiable work experience in environmental permitting and regulations; environmental investigations; environmental or other regulatory compliance; or environmental project management; or utility regulatory analysis;AND

License and Certification: Possession of a valid California driver license

Substitution

• A Master’s degree in natural sciences, engineering, environmental or resource planning, public policy, economics or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of work experience
• A law degree may substitute for one (1) year of work experience
• A PhD in natural sciences, engineering, environmental or resource planning, public policy, economics, or related field may substitute for two (2) years of work experience

NoteOne (1) year of full-time employment is considered equivalent to Two Thousand (2,000) hours. Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

For this recruitment--please submit the followingas attachments with your job application:

• Copy of valid California driver license (both front and back side)

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) Candidates may be required to complete an MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process.

The selection process will include an evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Depending on the number of applicants, the department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the department will move forward in the recruitment process.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below.

Application Opening:Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026 Application Deadline:Apply immediately. Application filing will be open at least through 11:59pm (PST) of Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 and will close any time thereafter Recruitment ID:TPV-5620-163980

Appointment Type:Temporary Provisional (TPV). This is not a permanent appointment. A provisional appointee must participate and be successful in a Civil Service examination for this classification and be selected to be considered for permanent appointment. Provisional appointments may not exceed three (3) years.

Becoming a City employee means being a part of a team that cares about making a difference. Your work will shape both the present and future of San Francisco. When you work for the City, you’re choosing a job with purpose.

San Francisco Public Works(Public Works) has a far-reaching portfolio with a $453 million annual operating budget, an active capital portfolio that exceeds $3 billion and a workforce of 1,700-plus employees. The department operates around the clock, touching every neighborhood in San Francisco. The staff designs and manages the construction of civic buildings and streets; cleans and greens the right of way; maintains civic buildings; manages multi-million-dollar bond programs; trains people for jobs; keeps the right of way free of hazards; paves the roads; repairs bridges and public stairways; expands accessibility; and works at the forefront addressing some of San Francisco’s biggest challenges. With a mission to enhance the quality of life in San Francisco for residents, visitors and business owners, Public Works is committed to providing outstanding public service through an equity lens.

Please visit the “About Us” section of our website athttps://www.sfpublicworks.org to learn more about the department’s core values, Racial Equity Initiative, leadership team, history, budget and more.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.