Senior Environmental Specialist

Job Summary

The Senior Environmental Specialist leads the development, coordination, and implementation of complex environmental, health, and safety (EHS) compliance programs and technical studies across multiple Metropolitan sites. Serving as a technical subject matter expert, this role provides high-level program management and regulatory oversight across key disciplines including air quality, wastewater, stormwater, underground and aboveground storage tanks, hazardous materials and waste management, and health and safety. Based at the Los Angeles Headquarters, this position requires periodic travel and occasional overnight stays at field facilities throughout Southern California.

What You'll Do

• Program & Compliance Leadership: Formulate compliance strategies, secure environmental permits, and review changing legislation to assess organizational impacts. Monitor federal, state, and local regulations to minimize risk for employees, the environment, and the public.
• Technical Systems & Data Tracking: Utilize specialized Environmental Management Information System (EMIS) software and online platforms—including, but not limited to: SCAQMD Permit Database, CARB DOORS/R3 databases, CERS, GeoTracker, LACPW EPIC system, CalOES Spill Reporting, and the DTSC Hazardous Waste Tracking System—to manage compliance data and streamline cloud-based tracking tools.
• Agency Collaboration & Liaison: Serve as a primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, local governments, and member agencies. Lead negotiations, respond to inquiries, and establish strong partnerships with internal and external entities to represent Metropolitan's operational interests.
• Internal Partnership & Training: Partner with internal teams to evaluate day-to-day compliance, deliver technical expertise, make recommendations to supervisors, and design EHS awareness and training programs for personnel.
• Reporting & Documentation: Conduct staff analyses, execute complex environmental studies, and prepare technical reports, general correspondence, and Board letters for management review.

Schedule

• 9/80, Monday through Friday with every other Friday off
• Start times are no earlier than 6 am and end times are no later than 6 pm
• Hybrid: Metropolitan's current practice in this position is a hybrid work schedule. This typically includes two days a week in person and the other days remote. This is subject to change dependent on organizational needs. In addition, a telework policy is scheduled for negotiations and once completed and implemented, will provide final direction on the hybrid schedule.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, engineering, biology, ecology, planning, or other directly related field, and eight years of progressively responsible experience, including two years at the Environmental Specialist level or equivalent; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, engineering, biology, ecology, planning, or other directly related field, and six years of progressively responsible experience including two years at the Environmental Specialist level or equivalent.

Relevant/Related Experience is defined as: demonstrated experience serving as a lead for Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs, including managing multi-media environmental compliance areas such as Air Quality and Permitting, Underground Storage Tanks (UST), Industrial Wastewater, NPDES stormwater/wastewater reporting, and Hazardous Material Management.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in public sector, water industry, public utilities
• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• SCAQMD Certified Permitting Professional (CPP)

Certifications, Licenses, and Registration Requirements

• Valid California Class C Driver's License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans
• Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan
• Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Excellent working environment
• Public transportation reimbursements
• Hub of public transportation: rail, subway, buses, and taxis
• On-site fitness center

About MWD

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.