Principal Environmental Specialist (Air Quality Compliance)

Orange County Sanitation District

Principal Environmental Specialist (Air Quality Compliance)

SALARY $129,147.20 – $156,956.80 Annually

LOCATION CA 92708, CA

JOB TYPE Full-time

JOB NUMBER 134

DEPARTMENT Environmental Services

DIVISION Environmental Compliance

OPENING DATE 08/14/2025

CLOSING DATE 8/28/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect

We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving

We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability

We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning

We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety

We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices. 

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Principal Environmental Specialist (Air Quality Compliance) in the Environmental Compliance Division. 

Under general direction, develops, implements, and manages the most complex programs, environmental studies, and field work activities in support of OC San’s environmental protection, monitoring, and compliance programs; performs methods development, improvement, and validation; coordinates preparation of and writes regulatory and technical reports; develops, recommends, and implements division policies and procedures; serves as program/project lead; formulates and implements changes to OC San’s ordinances and assigned programs, projects, and activities; and performs duties as assigned.

Specifically, this position will:

• Serve as the air quality compliance officer and subject matter expert on air quality compliance for OC San’s Title V permits.
• Serve as program lead for third-party audits of environmental compliance programs.
• Review and approve operational and field data and perform calculations and complete online reporting related to air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Coordinate preparation and write regulatory and technical reports.
• Perform timely and accurate investigations of air quality incidents and prepare reports.
• Track and communicate regulatory compliance reporting due dates.
• Accompany regulatory inspectors during visits and respond to follow up data requests.
• Support in a wide variety of special projects that involve a high degree of technical knowledge,
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings and serve on various technical advisory or professional organization committees.
• Prepare and make presentations to management, regulatory agencies and professional groups.
• Stay abreast of new trends, innovations, and legislative changes in the field of environmental protection, monitoring, and compliance.
• Research emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to OC San needs.
• Collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, and engineering staff, while having an in-depth understanding of wastewater treatment processes, regulations, and compliance issues is highly desirable.
• Ensure safety and health procedures and precautions are adhered to, corrects unsafe work conditions/practices, and/or reports unsafe work conditions/practices to assigned supervisory or managerial staff.
• Perform any other tasks requested by supervision/management.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required:

1. 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.
2. Five (5) years of work experience in a testing laboratory, field collection environment, and/or related environmental compliance field.
3. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

Desired:

• Familiarity with Title V federal operating air permit for a wastewater treatment facility.
• Familiarity with South Coast AQMD’s Annual Emissions Report online reporting tool and Cal e-GGRT.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Experience in managing projects through all phases of their lifecycle.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both speech and writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and others encountered during work.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1

(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies) 

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/careers

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Thursday, August 28, 2025; 5:00 P.M. 

(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Hiring Salary Range: $129,147.20 – 142,396.80/Year* 

*(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

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 light to medium 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 35 pounds.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 51 pounds, or heavier weights 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.

OTHER REQUIRMENTS

• 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.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

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 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 (Download PDF reader).

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.