Senior Environmental Services Specialist

Serves as a program lead and technical expert coordinating SMUD's environmental programs and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Handle the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of environmental programs to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental rules, policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Oversee the preparation and submittal of permit applications, technical reports, and compliance documents, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide expert guidance and recommendations to management and staff on complex compliance matters and emerging regulations.
• Direct and oversee field assessments, sampling and analysis of environmental data (e.g., air, water, soil, biological resources, hazardous materials) to evaluate risks and impacts.
• Review and validate technical reports and findings prepared by staff or consultants.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge to interpret data, resolve complex issues, and guide organizational decision-making.
• Develop, deliver and oversee training programs on environmental policies, procedures, and best practices for staff, leadership and stakeholders.
• Mentor and provide technical direction to junior and journey-level staff on environmental issues.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource on environmental education and compliance awareness initiatives.
• Manage major environmental projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance requirements.
• Oversee project teams, consultants and contractors, including budgeting, scheduling and deliverables.
• Recommend strategies for risk management, problem resolution, and process improvement across environmental programs.
• Develop and guide organizational sustainability programs and strategies to reduce environmental impact.
• Track, assess and report on sustainability performance metrics to leadership and external stakeholders.
• Recommend and implement innovative approaches to improve operational efficiency and sustainability outcomes.
• Represent the organization in high-level meetings with regulatory agencies, community organizations, and external partners.
• Facilitate public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community education on environmental initiatives and issues.
• Act as primary liaison with regulators on compliance matters, ensuring organizational interests are represented.
• Drive the development and implementation of environmental emergency response plans (e.g., spills, contamination events, etc.).
• Direct staff training and response drills to ensure organizational readiness.
• Serve as subject matter expert during emergency response incidents, providing technical guidance and coordination.
• Monitor and assess changes in environmental legislation, regulations and policies; advise management on impacts to operations.
• Conduct and oversee research on environmental trends, technologies, and best practices to support program innovation.
• Develop recommendations for program and policy updates in response to regulatory and industry changes.
• Identify funding opportunities and oversee the preparation of applicable sections of grant applications.
• Oversee compliance with grant-funded projects, ensuring compliance with requirements and alignment with program objectives.
• Provide technical expertise in assigned environmental program areas.
• Supervise consultants, contractors, and act as an authorized delegate for supervisory responsibilities, including training, mentoring, and performance feedback for staff.
• Communicate complex technical and regulatory information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executives, staff, and the public.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned. Work schedules, hours and locations may vary based on business and program needs.

Requirements

There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience, and qualification requirements:

• Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.
• Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.
• Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead and/or supervisory capacity.
• Supervisor: Working supervisor directing the work of a functional team.

Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully "progress" to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series. Seniors and Supervisors must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies, engineering, biology, geology, archaeology, or a related field or equivalent experience. If no degree, nine or more (9+) years of experience are required.