Associate Environmental Specialist

At Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver pure reliable water to regions serving 19 million people—and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of Talented Employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible. In this role, you’ll serve as the Associate Environmental Specialist. As the Associate Environmental Specialist, you’ll report directly to the Team Manager of Operational Regulatory Services and serves as a regulatory specialist supporting water quality and environmental studies and projects, with a primary focus on analyzing and interpreting water quality legislation and regulations.

The incumbent must be proficient in state and federal regulations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and California-specific environmental regulations. Responsibilities include monitoring and summarizing pertinent legislative and regulatory developments, developing proposed positions, and evaluating their impact on Metropolitan and its member agencies.

This position is a journey level position performing Associate Environmental Specialist job duties. You will be responsible for planning, preparing, conducting, coordinating, and monitoring environmental studies and programs in accordance with federal and state environmental laws and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act, California Fish and Game Code, Clean Water Act, and federal and state endangered species acts. You will develop plans and procedures for compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations;

prepare and review environmental documents and permit applications; monitor quality of work products and project scope, budget, and schedule; oversee consultant work products; prepare environmental specifications and review construction drawings; coordinate with regulatory agencies; and develop and implement mitigation monitoring plans for capital projects and operations and maintenance activities. You will plan and carry out the successive steps and handle problems and deviations in the work assignment in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training, or accepted practices in the occupation.

You may act as a lead and may coordinate and review work assignments of employees performing the same general work as the lead on a day-to-day basis. Your responsibilities may involve solving problems and providing instructions on work procedures.

• Prepares internal briefings, including memos, board letters and presentations.
• Work on regulations affecting water system operations, including those related to water quality and treatment, hazardous materials, air quality, recycled water, and environmental, health and safety.
• Collaborates with various groups throughout Metropolitan including Operations, Water Quality, External Affairs, Water Resources, Safety, and Legal.
• Represents Metropolitan at public meetings, work groups, and industry forums.

• A liaison to member agencies, trade associations, and regulatory agencies.
• A subject matter expert (SME) in assigned areas to enhance team efficiency and reduce review burden across the organization.
• An Associate Environmental Specialist who’s experienced in environmental laws and regulations including, but not limited to, state and federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Indirect and Direct Potable Reuse regulations, California Fish and Game Code, Clean Water Act, and federal and state Endangered Species Acts.
• An Associate Environmental Specialist whose experience includes preparing internal briefings such as memos, board letters, and presentation materials, and reviewing and analyzing regulations affecting water system operations, including those related to drinking water, hazardous materials, air quality, and recycled water.
• An Associate Environmental Specialist whose experience include preparation of technical reports, and regulatory permit applications and project management experience to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
• An effective communicator who can collaborate with teams.

• Be part of Metropolitan’s…