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.

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

Under direction of the Environmental Supervisor, the Senior Environmental Specialist performs a variety of complex environmental studies and field work in support of the District's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) ocean discharge permit. Specifically, this position will have primary responsibility for the management and development of the District’s OMP Toxicity Monitoring Program for Effluent and Receiving Waters, in addition to other supporting roles in the OMP.

Key duties for this position will include:

• Scheduling and performing toxicity testing activities of effluents and receiving waters for NPDES permit compliance (occasional weekend work required);
• Performing toxicity data entry and analysis using CETIS software and the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS);
• Interpreting and reporting toxicity data in support of the OMP annual receiving waters monitoring report, under guidance of senior staff;
• Overseeing Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) for toxicity testing and reporting, including Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) and TNI accreditations;
• Writing and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
• Managing laboratory contracts for toxicity support services;
• Participating in various OMP field cruises to sample for water quality and oceanography, benthic sediments, fish and invertebrate communities (trawls), accumulation of contaminants in fish tissues, and various special studies;
• Contributing to the preparation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of sampling equipment and supplies; and,
• Performing other related duties as required.

Additional duties may include:

• Developing and conducting special studies to evaluate potential impacts of increasing water recycling efforts for effluent compliance and receiving waters;
• Evaluating and implementing additional toxicity tools into the program, including in-vitro cell bioassays, molecular techniques, and Toxicity Identification Evaluations (TIEs);
• Performing species-level identification of marine invertebrates collected as part of the sediment and trawl sampling components of the OMP (training can be provided);

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.

Desirables:

• Coursework in toxicology, marine biology/ecology, invertebrate zoology, or oceanography is highly desired; a graduate degree in any of these disciplines is a plus.
• General knowledge of the biology and ecology of the Southern California Bight;
• Experience conducting toxicity tests with marine species, and evaluating data for NPDES permit compliance;
• The ability to perform basic statistical analyses of toxicity and environmental data, experience with advanced statistical analyses would be beneficial;
• Knowledge of ELAP and TNI laboratory accreditation requirements;
• Knowledge of advanced monitoring tools such as in-vitro cell bioassays, molecular assays such as digital droplet PCR, and Toxicity Identification Evaluations (TIEs);
• Knowledge and experience with field work on a marine vessel, and the deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of various sampling equipment (grab samplers, trawl nets, CTD rosettes, ADCPs, oceanographic moorings, etc);
• The ability to utilize taxonomic keys to perform identifications of fish and invertebrates is highly desired;
• Strong computer skills with applications such as the Microsoft Office (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerBI) and data analysis software (e.g., SYSTAT, PRIMER, R or Matlab), among others, are highly desired; and,
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Recruitment & Selection Process

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.

Disaster Service Workers

• All Orange County Sanitation District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the Orange County Sanitation District 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 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.

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.