Environmental Programs Specialist

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Environmental Programs Specialist

Hourly Rate: $42.1689 - $54.3964

Plus excellent benefits and 3% salary increases scheduled for July 2025 and July 2026.

Are you passionate about sustainability and making a difference in your community? The Town of Los Gatos is seeking an innovative and dedicated Environmental Programs Specialist to champion our environmental initiatives and help shape a greener future!

As a key member of our dynamic team, you'll lead programs that protect our natural environment and promote sustainable practices throughout our community. From managing waste reduction initiatives to spearheading public outreach campaigns, you’ll have the chance to leave a lasting impact on Los Gatos.

What You’ll Do: As our Environmental Programs Specialist, you will:

• Lead and manage environmental programs related to stormwater management, recycling and composting, and help design new ones.
• Develop policies that protect and enhance our environment.
• Promote waste reduction, energy efficiency, and conservation efforts.
• Use your skills in public outreach to educate and engage residents and businesses.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders to implement the Town’s sustainability goals.

Who We’re Looking For: We’re searching for someone who is:

• A passionate environmental advocate with a commitment to environmental sustainability and drive to create positive change in our community.
• Experienced in environmental policies, sustainability, or a related field.
• An excellent communicator who can inspire and educate diverse audiences.
• A creative problem-solver with strong organizational skills.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and self-assured who can bring collaborative, team-centered qualities to the Department.

Schedule: T he normal workweek for this position is Monday through Friday with 4/10 or 9/80 schedule options; however, you may be occasionally required to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays at a variety of Town facilities. This position is not eligible for a remote or hybrid work schedule.

About the Department
The Parks and Public Works Department (PPW) is responsible for the maintenance and improvements of the Town's public parks, facilities, streets, and other infrastructure. Our goal is to efficiently provide residents, businesses, and visitors with the highest quality service possible, with dedication and professionalism. The Department has five service areas: Engineering, Capital Improvement, Streets and Signals, Parks, and Environmental Services. The Department also collaborates with all Town departments, and external partners and stakeholders.

• Environment Services : The Environmental Services team ensures that the Town is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. This team also manages the Town’s utilities, including the contract with West Valley Collection and Recycling for garbage service Town wide.
  
  
• Engineering Services : The Engineering team provides services in the areas of encroachment permits and permitting and inspection of other work in the public right of way, including situations where new developments need to provide improvements in the right of way.
  
  
• Capital Improvement : The Capital Improvement team develops and constructs capital projects across all Town assets, including improvements to roads, streetlights, parks, and Town buildings. See the annual capital budget for a list of current capital projects.
  
  
• Streets and Signals : The Streets and Signals team maintains the Town’s roadways, signs, and traffic signals. Traffic plays a big part in this team’s daily work as they seek to meet the needs of the community. This includes traffic on major streets as well as on neighborhood streets where traffic calming can be a solution.
  
  
• Park Services : The Park Services team maintains the Town’s parks, trails, open spaces, facility grounds, median islands, parking lot landscaping, downtown planters, and the urban forest as well as administering park use fees and reservations.

About the Town
The Town of Los Gatos is a general law city operating under the Council/Manager form of government. The Town Manager and Town Attorney are appointed and directly report to the Town Council. The Town’s 150 full- and part-time employees are organized into the following departments: Parks & Public Works, Community Development, Police, Library; and Administrative Services. The Town’s fiscal year 2023/2024 General Fund budget is $52.9 million.

Duties and Responsibilities

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, organizes, and directs assigned programs and/or project activities related to sustainability, recycling, waste management, air quality, permitting, compliance, and enforcement Tasks may include legislative tracking; research and analysis; program design and development; and presentation of technical and specialized data.
  
  
• Conducts surveys and studies, collects, analyzes, and evaluates data using a variety of modeling and statistical methods and techniques to develop recommendations and program changes.
  
  
• Participates as a knowledgeable, cooperative, and supportive member responsible for assisting in developing and implementing departmental and program goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and activities, providing technical and specialized input to department efforts.
  
  
• Prepares written plans and reports for a variety of environmental programs and initiatives, including sustainability, recycling, waste management, air quality, permitting, compliance, and enforcement.
  
  
• Designs and develops a variety of materials and activities to promote, implement, and evaluate environmental programs in a manner that will enhance public awareness, educate citizens on relevant environmental issues, and encourage proactive and cooperative problem-solving activities. Conducts and participates in community outreach and education efforts.
  
  
• Serves as primary liaison to the West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Joint Powers Agency and coordinates with waste haulers to provide public education and outreach about recycling, household hazardous waste disposal, and organics management for businesses and residents.
  
  
• Serves as primary liaison to the West Valley Clean Water Authority Joint Powers Agency and ensures compliance with the Town's stormwater permit, including supporting the implementation of required programs and improvements.
  
  
• Prepares and presents presentations to the Town Council and Commissions, advisory bodies, business organizations, schools, and neighborhood and community groups.
  
  
• Serves as the Town’s primary point of contact for inquiries, requests, and concerns from the public related to assigned program. Research and coordinates responses with appropriate Town staff and the Town’s Joint Powers Authority.
  
  
• Researches and prepares grant submittals; develops and implements activities and programs awarded by the grants.
  
  
• Participates in the preparation of assigned program budget, assists in budget implementation, and tracks and monitors program budget.
  
  
• Oversees, coordinates, and manages the work of consultants and contractors including monitoring contracts and billing to ensure compliance with contract provisions.
  
  
• Represents the Town to outside agencies and organizations, professional, and industry groups and committees; provides specialized technical assistance and advice as necessary. Attends meetings with these organizations to help develop solutions to problems or issues of mutual interest.
  
  
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other Town employees, organizations and their representatives, and the public, exhibiting exceptional customer service and communication skills.
  
  
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required.
  
  
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Science, Environmental Studies, Biology, Public Health or a closely related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in monitoring, promoting, developing, and implementing environmental services programs with a public or private business.

Substitution: A Master’s degree may substitute for one year of work experience.

License and Certification: A California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record are conditions of initial and continued employment.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment, basic record-keeping, arithmetic, and computer applications related to the work.
• Principles, techniques, and methods required in marketing, promotions, and public and media relations.
• Principles and practices of environmental science and services in specialized areas including, but not limited to sustainability, recycling, waste management, air quality, permitting, compliance, and enforcement.
• Principles and practices of program and policy development and implementation.
• Pertinent local, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to designated and specialized areas of environmental services.
• Budgeting procedures, techniques, and control.
• Professional level writing techniques, including proper grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of scientific and statistical analysis.

Ability to:

• Work independently and in a team setting.
• Analyze data and prepare technical reports; interpret and evaluate technical information; understand laws, regulations, and codes; problem-solve technical issues; explain and interpret technical information.
• Design and implement comprehensive environmental services programs.
• Prepare and administer budgets.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with State, Federal and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, anticipate possible consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Gain cooperation and agreement through discussion, persuasion, and negotiations.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Consistently demonstrate professionalism, ethical integrity, and exceptional customer service.
• Celebrate the achievements and success of the organization.
• Professional level writing techniques including, proper grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of scientific and statistical analysis.

Application and Selection Process

To be considered for this career opportunity, click on the "Apply" button to complete the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes may be attached, but not accepted in place of a complete online application. Only complete applications will be accepted.

Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria in this job announcement. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee continuation in the process. Only the most qualified applicants with the most relevant experience and education will be invited to continue in the selection process.

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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The Town of Los Gatos is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, medical, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by law. Qualified individuals with a disability will receive reasonable accommodation, as required by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and federal laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, during any phase of the selection process, providing such request is made to Human Resources at least five working days in advance. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation. Under federal law, all employees must provide documents that authorize the right to work in the United States.

This classification is represented by the Town Employees' Association (T.E.A.).

Please refer to the Benefit Summaries postedon theTown of Los Gatos Human Resources Department Webpage.

Closing Date/Time: 1/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Town of Los Gatos

• 408-399-6829

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