Water Agency Environmental Specialist I - Environmental Compliance

Water Otter Job Board; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Telework

Salary Advancement

Paid Time Off

Health Premium Contributions

Job summary

Sonoma Water is seeking an Environmental Specialist I to support environmental compliance for water, flood control, and sustainability projects. The role focuses on evaluating environmental impacts and assisting in permits under CEQA/NEPA, with field surveys and report preparation.

The ideal candidate will bring knowledge of state and federal environmental laws, strong communication, and the ability to collaborate with planners, engineers, and contractors on public works projects.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of CEQA/NEPA processes and environmental compliance.
• Experience conducting field assessments of natural resources.
• Strong communication and report-writing abilities.
• Ability to organize projects and coordinate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Assist with CEQA/NEPA studies and regulatory permitting for projects.
• Perform field assessments for aquatic and terrestrial resources.
• Review and contribute to environmental reports and tracking documents.
• Collaborate with planners, engineers, and contractors on public works projects.

Skills

CEQA/NEPA knowledge

Field survey experience

Strong communication

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Word processing

Databases

Job description

Job Description

Position Information

Sonoma Water is seeing a passionate and driven Environmental Specialist I professional to join our team! Join us in protecting and enhancing Sonoma County’s natural resources through meaningful, impactful work.

The Sonoma Water Agency is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a Water Agency Environmental Specialist I position responsible for working on environmental compliance and permitting matters for Sonoma Water projects.

At Sonoma Water, Environmental Specialists are responsible for evaluating, analyzing, and reporting on the environmental impacts of water supply, flood control, sanitation, and sustainability projects. To comply with federal, state, and local regulations, these positions assist in developing and proposing mitigation strategies to avoid, reduce, or offset the environmental impacts of projects. The Environmental Specialist I also uses an interdisciplinary approach from applied knowledge of biology, ecology, environmental science, and hydrology to:

• Assist with the preparation of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) studies, such as categorical exemptions, mitigated negative declarations, environmental impact reports, and technical resource reports
• Assist with preparation of environmental regulatory permit applications to local, state, and federal resource agencies
• Perform field assessments and surveys for sensitive resources, such as aquatic and terrestrial habitat features, wildlife, botanical, and fisheries resources to evaluate environmental effects and determine potential impacts from projects
• Review natural resource studies and reports to understand historical and current site conditions of a project
• Review project information, schedules, studies, and designs, and assist in preparing tracking tools, standard operating procedures, and reports for projects
• Assist in the preparation and review of documents to comply with state, federal, and local environmental laws and regulations; land use planning projects; grant applications; and right-of-way activities
• Stay up to date with environmental laws such as the CEQA, National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, California and Federal Endangered Species Acts

The ideal candidate for this position is a team player and passionate about the environment and its resources. They will possess strong communication, problem-solving, and project organizational skills. In addition, they will possess experience conducting many of the following activities:

• Knowledge of and experience with handling threatened, endangered, and/or sensitive species listed under state or federal endangered species acts (such as California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, steelhead trout, and California freshwater shrimp)
• Conducting field assessments and investigations for natural resources such as aquatic and terrestrial habitat features, wildlife and botanical resources in remote areas (e.g. agricultural lands, meadowlands, forests, and aquatic and riparian habitats)
• Collecting, analyzing, and reporting on environmental scientific data associated with natural resources, specifically wildlife
• Researching the historical land uses, existing conditions, and natural resources of a project site, and associated local, state, and federal regulations applicable to the resources and project
• Preparation of CEQA and/or NEPA compliance documents for public projects
• Applying for and acquiring environmental regulatory permits from local, state, and federal resource agencies
• Reviewing the development of public projects (specifically water utility projects) and their associated schedules, studies, and designs
• Collaborating with planners, engineers, contractors, and consultants on the design and construction of public projects (specifically water utility projects)

Note: This position typically works Monday-Friday during regular business hours but may be required to work evening, weekend, or holiday shifts to conduct field investigations, help with biological seasonal monitoring, and attend public meetings or community events.

About Sonoma Water

Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of four divisions, including Engineering & Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Business Services & External Affairs, and Water/Wastewater Operations & Maintenance. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water use efficiency and fishery restoration programs.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

Sonoma Water is currently recruiting to fill a Sonoma Water Environmental Specialist I - Environmental Compliance position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The formal title for this position is Water Agency Environmental Specialist I.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience & Education: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include a Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, water related physical and/or biological sciences, environmental studies, environmental law, natural resource or watershed management, or a closely related field; and one year of experience with engineering, environmental impact assessments and permitting, and/or public works projects, including some experience in the preparation of environmental reports.

License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, current programs, and court decisions pertaining to environmental protection; environmental considerations in the design, location, and construction of public (flood control, water supply, recycled water, renewable energy, sanitation) projects; citizen and public interest groups dealing with environmental matters; ecological relationships; and English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and composition.

Some knowledge of: construction principles, practices, and terminology; the use of noise meters, cameras, and various audio-visual aids; and office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to: analyze and design project reports and determine probable effect on environment; write effectively and to use good judgment in the assembling, evaluation and use of information; prepare and present various reports on the effect of projects on the environment to advisory boards, commissions, and elected bodies; make mathematical calculations; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; establish and maintain effective relationships with other staff members, staff of other agencies, organizations, and the general public; prepare and disseminate information to media and others; prepare a wide range of clear, concise and informative reports, correspondence and brochures; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HR Analyst: DP

HR Technician: VH

Important Note

Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

• Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
• Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
• Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
• IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
• Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
• Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at [phone]. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at [e-mail] or [phone].

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 10/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific