Senior Environmental Specialist (Ocean Monitoring)

Description

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, we'd love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect
We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving
We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability
We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning
We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety
We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Senior Environmental Specialist (Ocean Monitoring).

Under direction, performs a variety of complex environmental studies, analysis, and field work in support of OC San’s environmental protection, monitoring, and compliance programs such as conducting environmental analyses and studies, collecting and analyzing wastewater, marine, air, ocean sediment, fish tissue, and industrial waste samples, and conducting field work; troubleshoots and repairs equipment and instrumentation; prepares, compiles, and analyzes data for the generation, submission, and distribution of reports and related documentation; and performs duties as assigned.

In addition, the Senior Environmental Specialist in this position will support OC San’s Ocean Monitoring Program and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) ocean discharge permit.

Key duties for this position will include:

• Downloading, processing, analyzing, and managing oceanographic and instrumentation data;
• Multivariate data analysis and interpretation, programming, and reporting;
• Under the guidance of senior staff, preparation and review of designated sections of the Marine Monitoring Annual Report, including the generation of data for compliance determinations;
• Participation in a variety of field sampling activities including collection of seawater using a conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) rosette, benthic sediments for geochemistry and infaunal communities using a Van Veen sampler, trawling to assess fish and large invertebrate communities, and fishing to assess the accumulation of contaminants in fish tissues for permit compliance, regional projects, and/or special studies;
• Support for field sampling activities such as operation, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of oceanographic instrumentation including CTD units, acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) and oceanographic moorings, preparation of sampling equipment and sample containers, adherence to QA/QC procedures, maintenance of sample inventory, data recording, analysis and reporting, and management of individual program components;
• Other duties may include serving on various technical, advisory, or professional committees such as Bight regional monitoring committees, the Southern California Association of Marine Invertebrate Taxonomists (SCAMIT), and the Southern California Association of Ichthyological Taxonomists and Ecologists (SCAITE); and
• Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications & Requirements

The successful candidate will possess:

• Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education with major coursework in biology, chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, marine biology, statistics, and/or quality assurance, or a related field;
• Three (3) years of work experience in a testing laboratory, field collection environment, pretreatment program, and/or related environmental compliance.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

The ideal candidate will also possess the following:

• Coursework in invertebrate zoology, marine biology/ecology, or oceanography is highly desired; a graduate degree in any of these disciplines is a plus.
• The ability to collect, organize, manipulate, analyze, and interpret large and complex environmental or oceanographic datasets;
• The ability to perform or learn programming for environmental data analysis using applications such as R or Matlab;
• General knowledge of statistical methods and applications to evaluate environmental data;
• Knowledge and experience with oceanographic field work, sampling equipment (grab samplers, trawl nets) and the calibration, maintenance, and deployment of oceanographic instrumentation (e.g., CTDs, ADCPs, moorings);
• General knowledge of the biology, ecology, and oceanography of the Southern California Bight;
• The ability to utilize taxonomic keys to perform identifications of fish and invertebrates is highly desired;
• The ability to perform safe operations onboard an ocean vessel;
• Experience with the operation of deck winches and cranes to deploy/retrieve scientific sampling gear;
• Strong computer skills with applications such as the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word and Excel, and ESRI ArcGIS Pro or similar GIS software; and
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1
(an eligibility list may be established for future vacancies)

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/careers

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Monday, December 2, 2024 by 5:00 P.M.
(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Hiring Salary Range: $111,987.20 - $123,406.40/Year
(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

• Mobility to work in a laboratory and standard office setting and use laboratory and standard office equipment, including a computer; standing in work areas and walking between work areas is required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
• Mobility to work in the field and to take samples and conduct inspections at various OC San sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary access points; ability to operate a motor vehicle to travel to various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings.
• When assigned to work on OC San’s marine vessel, must be capable of working in wet, unstable conditions, at times while the vessel is under way to the next sampling location.
• Perform medium to heavy physical work; standing in work areas and walking between work areas, within treatment plants, and in the field and to conduct inspections and take samples is required.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 51 pounds.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 200 pounds, or heavier weights up to 300 pounds on an occasional basis, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; color vision to identify chemical and biological solvents and substances.
• Vision to inspect and operate equipment.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate laboratory and standard office equipment.
• Finger dexterity to operate and repair tools and equipment.

Environmental Elements

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Other Requirements

• May be required to work extended hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays when necessary.
• Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered “at-will”, are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve “at-will” and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
• Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
• Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.

Disaster Service Workers
All OC San employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the OC San requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Other Information
For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website .

Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.

False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.
OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Ten working days paid vacation after one year of service; eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday; sick leave; group life insurance; group disability insurance; group health insurance, dependent coverage available, including medical, dental, and vision, employee contribution is required; a retirement plan (Orange County Employees Retirement System) and the option of participating in a deferred compensation plan as well as other optional benefits. A credit union is available. Benefits are subject to the Board of Directors' periodic determination (usually annually) and the meet and confer process, and are therefore subject to change. The District makes a generous contribution toward the cost of these benefits.

Closing Date/Time: 12/2/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Orange County Sanitation District

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