Senior Environmental Specialist

National Education Association; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Excellent medical/dental/life/vision

401(k) plan with matching

Tuition reimbursement

Public transportation reimbursements

On-site fitness center

Job summary

The Senior Environmental Specialist at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California leads the development and execution of complex EHS compliance programs across multiple sites, with focus on air quality, wastewater, and hazardous materials. Based at the Los Angeles Headquarters, you will monitor regulatory changes and coordinate with agencies to reduce risk.

The role requires eight years of related experience or six with a master’s degree, and periodic travel to field facilities, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, biology, ecology, planning, or related field with eight years experience.
• Master’s degree in a related field with six years experience, two at Environmental Specialist level.
• Lead experience in Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of EHS compliance programs across multiple sites.
• Manage regulatory oversight for air quality, wastewater, and hazardous materials.
• Coordinate with agencies, providers, and internal teams to ensure permits and reporting.
• Develop staff training and awareness on EHS requirements.
• Prepare technical reports and Board communications.

Skills

EHS Compliance

Air Quality

Waste Management

Permitting

Regulatory Oversight

Data Tracking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, biology, ecology, planning, or related field

Master’s degree in a related field

Tools

EMIS

CARB DOORS/R3

SCAQMD Permit Database

CERS

GeoTracker

Job description

At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people—and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of talented employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible.

There is currently one (1) opening for Senior Environmental Specialist located at Union Station, Los Angeles, CA.

This recruitment may result in an eligibility list*.

Job Summary

The Senior Environmental Specialist leads the development, coordination, and implementation of complex environmental, health, and safety (EHS) compliance programs and technical studies across multiple Metropolitan sites. Serving as a technical subject matter expert, this role provides high-level program management and regulatory oversight across key disciplines including air quality, wastewater, stormwater, underground and aboveground storage tanks, hazardous materials and waste management, and health and safety. Based at the Los Angeles Headquarters, this position requires periodic travel and occasional overnight stays at field facilities throughout Southern California.

What You’ll Do

• Program & Compliance Leadership: Formulate compliance strategies, secure environmental permits, and review changing legislation to assess organizational impacts. Monitor federal, state, and local regulations to minimize risk for employees, the environment, and the public.
• Technical Systems & Data Tracking: Utilize specialized Environmental Management Information System (EMIS) software and online platforms—including, but not limited to: SCAQMD Permit Database, CARB DOORS/R3 databases, CERS, GeoTracker, LACPW EPIC system, CalOES Spill Reporting, and the DTSC Hazardous WasteTracking System—to manage compliance data and streamline cloud-based tracking tools.
• Agency Collaboration & Liaison: Serve as a primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, local governments, and member agencies. Lead negotiations, respond to inquiries, and establish strong partnerships with internal and external entities to represent Metropolitan's operational interests.
• Internal Partnership & Training: Partner with internal teams to evaluate day-to-day compliance, deliver technical expertise, make recommendations to supervisors, and design EHS awareness and training programs for personnel.
• Reporting & Documentation: Conduct staff analyses, execute complex environmental studies, and prepare technical reports, general correspondence, and Board letters for management review.

Schedule

9/80, Monday through Friday with every other Friday off

Start times are no earlier than 6 am and end times are no later than 6 pm.

Hybrid

Metropolitan’s current practice in this position is a hybrid work schedule. This typically includes two days a week in person and the other days remote. This is subject to change dependent on organizational needs. In addition, a telework policy is scheduled for negotiations and once completed and implemented, will provide final direction on the hybrid schedule.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, engineering, biology, ecology, planning, or other directly related field, and eight years of progressively responsible experience, including two years at the Environmental Specialist level or equivalent; or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, engineering, biology, ecology, planning, or other directly related field, and six years of progressively responsible experience including two years at the Environmental Specialist level or equivalent.

Relevant/Related Experience is defined as

demonstrated experience serving as a lead for Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs, including managing multi-media environmental compliance areas such as Air Quality and Permitting, Underground Storage Tanks (UST), Industrial Wastewater, NPDES stormwater/wastewater reporting, and Hazardous Material Management.

Desirable Qualifications

• Environmental, Health, and Safety, Water Quality - Experience in public sector, water industry, public utilities; Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM); Certified Safety Professional (CSP); SCAQMD Certified Permitting Professional (CPP).

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

License(s): Valid California Class C Driver’s License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.

CLOSING

BENEFITS

• Competitive compensation
• Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.
• Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.
• Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Excellent working environment
• Public transportation reimbursements
• Hub of public transportation: rail, subway, buses, and taxis
• On-site fitness center

ABOUT MWD

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities, who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please call [phone] or email: [e-mail].

Metropolitan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic(s).

Application Filing Period

Closes at 4:30 pm PT on the date stated in the job announcement. However it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.

Eligibility List*

An eligibility list is a list of qualified candidates created when a job posting states that one will be established.

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications listed in the original posting and successfully pass all stages of the recruitment process—and are not selected for the initial vacancy—may be placed on this list for future openings.

The list may be used to invite candidates to participate in a selection interview for a future vacancy in the same classification / title (if there is one). The duration of the list depends on the applicable bargaining unit.

Qualifying Experience

Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part-time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.

Sponsorship

Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment-based immigration case).

#LI-Hybrid