Solid Waste Inspector III

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San Diego seeks a Solid Waste Inspector III to perform inspections at permitted solid waste disposal sites, ensuring compliance with California waste laws and regulatory controls. You will document inspection results and review technical reports while coordinating with agencies and managing related grants.

Requirements include a relevant Bachelor's degree or REHS certification, three years of related experience, and a valid CA driver license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering or Industrial Hygiene.
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent with required science units and algebra coursework.
• Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with CDPH.
• Additional qualifying experience may substitute education on a year-for-year basis.
• Three years of solid waste or hazardous waste experience including inspections and permits.
• Valid California Class C Driver License at hire.

Responsibilities

• Inspect solid waste disposal/landfill sites to ensure compliance with CA laws and regulations.
• Prepare reports, forms, memorandums and correspondence; review highly technical documents.
• Oversee site assessments and remediation of burn ash sites; coordinate LEA activities.
• Develop, administer and monitor grants; manage the tire enforcement grant program.
• Conduct training; make public presentations; respond to complaints and inquiries.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering or Industrial Hygiene

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education with required units including biological, physical or environmental science and algebra

Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with the California Department of Public Health

Job description

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Solid Waste Inspector III positions conduct inspections of permitted solid waste disposal/landfill sites and operations to ensure compliance with the State of California's solid/hazardous waste laws and regulations and to identify and mitigate potential environmental health risks, document inspection results and compliance attempts; prepare reports, forms, memorandums and correspondence; review and evaluate highly technical documents, (e.g., site investigation reports, health-based risk assessments, remediation plans and closure/post-closure maintenance plans); oversee site assessments and remediation of burn ash sites; develop, administer and monitor grants; implement the waste tire enforcement grant program; investigate complaints; conduct training; make public presentations; coordinate Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) activities with other agencies; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

• Solid Waste Inspector III employees will be required to maneuver above, under and around equipment during inspections; safely move across wet, uneven surfaces and rugged terrain; ascend/descend ladders, stairs and elevated catwalks; and to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EDUCATION

You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering or Industrial Hygiene.
2. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education (i.e., minimum completed units = 120 semester/180 quarter), which MUSTinclude at least 30 semester/45 quarter college-level unitsof biological, physical or environmental science, including at least one laboratory course in chemistry, physics, microbiology or biology AND completion of at least one college-level algebra course or higher.
3. Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with the California Department of Public Health.

NOTE:

• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for education lacked on a year-for-year basis. One year of full-time experience = 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units.

EXPERIENCE

Three years of full-time solid waste, hazardous waste or waste tire experience which MUST include all of the following:

• Inspecting solid/hazardous waste sites or tire facilities.
• Implementing or enforcing related laws and regulations.
• Preparing and issuing permits for solid/hazardous waste or waste tire related activities.

NOTE:

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.

NOTE:

• Candidates will generally be required to provide proof of a valid driver license within approximately two weeks of receiving a conditional offer.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• A Master's Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health or a closely related field.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• Proof of degree/transcripts, or registration, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: [phone]; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, which may include a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may be cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Hazardous Materials Inspector III (Option Title: Solid Waste Inspector III)

Rev. 2 - November 6, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)