Santa Clara Valley Water District, CA
Environmental Planner (Associate Environmental Planner)
Santa Clara Valley Water District, CA, San Francisco, CA, United States
Salary: $124,259.20 - $159,057.60 Annually
Location : CA, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 01842-E
Division: Watersheds Stewardship and Planning
Unit: Environmental Planning
Opening Date: 11/26/2024
Closing Date: 12/9/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Valley Water is searching for top-tier candidates to fill this exciting opportunity. Internal candidates will get first consideration.
Overview:
Would you like to join a special district working on meaningful community projects that ensure safe, clean water supply, and protect natural environments in the heart of Santa Clara County? Do you have specialized skills or experience that could be applied to a rewarding career in environmental planning and natural resource permitting? Are you versed in the fundamentals of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and/or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document preparation or regulatory compliance? If so, consider expanding your environmental planning career as an Associate Environmental Planner for Valley Water.
Valley Water is seeking an Associate Environmental Planner who will support development and execution of plans, programs, and/or projects in water supply, water utility, flood protection, and watershed stewardship. This is a journey-level environmental planning position that will perform a variety of professional duties relative to assisting project teams in planning, design, and construction phases. They will guide teams through impact avoidance and minimization, and coordinate and prepare environmental documents compliant with both CEQA and NEPA. Positions will also guide teams through the process of obtaining and implementing applicable natural resource agency permit requirements, including development of appropriate mitigation, application preparation, strategic negotiation, and environmental compliance monitoring and reporting.
Environmental Planners can look forward to working on a broad range of projects spanning creek and bay rehabilitation, wetland creation, public safety, flood protection, imported water, water treatment and conveyance system upgrade, and cutting-edge public-private partnerships. Successful candidates will join teams working on projects such as:
The successful candidate will be an environmental project manager who understands the importance of resilience and adaptability and has an in-depth knowledge of CEQA and NEPA, along with federal, state, and regional permitting regulations and processes. This position demands strong organizational skills with strategic and analytical thinking. The ideal candidate will lead with a positive attitude, possess strong written and verbal communication skills, and build positive working relationships with others. Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills are essential for this role, as is a customer-service-oriented mindset. We are open to considering journey-level candidates as well as candidates who have professional experience in another specialty (i.e., air quality, biology, cultural resources, noise, transportation/traffic, water resources, construction management, or closely related engineering field) and can demonstrate that they have transferable skills and experience.
Ideal Experience:
About Valley Water: Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Required License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
To review the Classification Specification, please click
Environmental Planning Unit (Position Code 1087)Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.
Selection Process
(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.
NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.
Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.
Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click
01
I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.
02
Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.
03
Please indicate how many years of professional experience you have with environmental planning.
04
Please indicate how many years of professional experience you have with natural resource permitting.
05
Do you have a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, environmental studies, environmental planning, city and regional planning, environmental science, natural resources management, geography, or related field? (Not required)
06
Please check all the certifications you possess. (Select all that apply).
07
Do you have specialized technical experience in any of the following areas? (Select all that apply)
08
Briefly describe your experience with California Environmental Quality Act or equivalent environmental documents. Please include your role and a description of the sections that you have personally authored and/or managed.
09
Briefly describe your experience preparing applications and negotiating federal, state, and regional natural resource agency permits.
10
Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
11
Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
Required Question
Location : CA, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 01842-E
Division: Watersheds Stewardship and Planning
Unit: Environmental Planning
Opening Date: 11/26/2024
Closing Date: 12/9/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Valley Water is searching for top-tier candidates to fill this exciting opportunity. Internal candidates will get first consideration.
Overview:
Would you like to join a special district working on meaningful community projects that ensure safe, clean water supply, and protect natural environments in the heart of Santa Clara County? Do you have specialized skills or experience that could be applied to a rewarding career in environmental planning and natural resource permitting? Are you versed in the fundamentals of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and/or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document preparation or regulatory compliance? If so, consider expanding your environmental planning career as an Associate Environmental Planner for Valley Water.
Valley Water is seeking an Associate Environmental Planner who will support development and execution of plans, programs, and/or projects in water supply, water utility, flood protection, and watershed stewardship. This is a journey-level environmental planning position that will perform a variety of professional duties relative to assisting project teams in planning, design, and construction phases. They will guide teams through impact avoidance and minimization, and coordinate and prepare environmental documents compliant with both CEQA and NEPA. Positions will also guide teams through the process of obtaining and implementing applicable natural resource agency permit requirements, including development of appropriate mitigation, application preparation, strategic negotiation, and environmental compliance monitoring and reporting.
Environmental Planners can look forward to working on a broad range of projects spanning creek and bay rehabilitation, wetland creation, public safety, flood protection, imported water, water treatment and conveyance system upgrade, and cutting-edge public-private partnerships. Successful candidates will join teams working on projects such as:
- San Francisco Bay Shoreline Protection
- Calabazas Creek Bank Rehabilitation
- Guadalupe River Flood Protection
- Pipeline Reliability and Maintenance Program
- Water Utility Infrastructure
- Water Supply and Transfers
- Work collaboratively on teams with engineers, biologists, and other technical specialists, as well as consultants, to develop project elements, identify potential environmental impacts, and evaluate opportunities to avoid or minimize impacts.
- Provide advice and guidance to project teams regarding the level of CEQA and NEPA documentation required.
- Oversee and carry out the appropriate CEQA process approved through internal decision memoranda, including exemptions, Negative Declarations (ND), Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND), Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), and related public notices; assist with developing project descriptions; solicit input from responsible and trustee agencies; identify potential significant adverse and beneficial impacts; identify alternatives.
- Support natural resource agency permitting and regulatory compliance efforts through conducting background research, assisting in development of permitting and mitigation strategies, preparing submittals, coordinating with environmental regulators, negotiating the need for permits and permit conditions, and tracking and managing the permit acquisition and compliance processes.
- Serve as a liaison with internal staff and external parties on input and questions pertaining to the environmental aspects of the project or activity; receive and respond to written comments from agencies and the public; plan logistics, including the setup of scoping meetings; prepare meeting materials; moderate public hearings; collect verbal comments as necessary; and incorporate and address comments in CEQA documents.
- Assist in consultant management to promote high quality contract work products; monitor progress and maintain close contact during development of work products; review work products.
- Support environmental compliance monitoring of project activities.
The successful candidate will be an environmental project manager who understands the importance of resilience and adaptability and has an in-depth knowledge of CEQA and NEPA, along with federal, state, and regional permitting regulations and processes. This position demands strong organizational skills with strategic and analytical thinking. The ideal candidate will lead with a positive attitude, possess strong written and verbal communication skills, and build positive working relationships with others. Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills are essential for this role, as is a customer-service-oriented mindset. We are open to considering journey-level candidates as well as candidates who have professional experience in another specialty (i.e., air quality, biology, cultural resources, noise, transportation/traffic, water resources, construction management, or closely related engineering field) and can demonstrate that they have transferable skills and experience.
Ideal Experience:
- Five (5) years of experience performing professional-level responsibilities as an environmental planner.
- Experience involving the evaluation of the impact of proposed public works or capital projects or facilities on the community and the environment.
- Preparation of CEQA/NEPA documents and/or successful regulatory permit negotiation and acquisition on complex projects, ideally for water infrastructure and/or environmental restoration.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
- Assess, mitigate, monitor, and report environmental elements and impacts; evaluate thresholds of significance.
- Research and evaluate studies, reports, papers, and related literature used in the field of environmental planning.
- Set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
- Public speaking and presentation skills.
- Working knowledge of the CEQA and/or NEPA processes as it relates to the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects.
- Methods and techniques of scientific research, analysis, and reporting used in the field of environmental planning.
- Methods and techniques of environmental impact assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and reporting.
- Principles and practices of project management, including planning, organizing, scheduling, and controlling budget.
- Federal, state, and regional permitting regulations, laws, processes, and practices applied in environmental planning and natural resource management, including but not limited to: Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, California Fish and Game Code, Federal and California Endangered Species Acts, and National Historic Preservation Act.
- Specialist in key aspect of environmental planning and analysis, such as: air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hydrology and water quality, noise, and vibration, and/or traffic and transportation.
- Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies, ecology, environmental planning, city and regional planning, land use planning, environmental science, natural resources management, geography, biology, chemistry, or a related field.
- A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies, environmental planning, city and regional planning, environmental science, natural resources management, geography or related field is not required but may substitute for two (2) years of environmental planning experience.
- Professional certification in a relevant field or subject matter is ideal but not required and may substitute for a year of environmental planning experience. This may include, but is not limited to, certification as an: AICP Certified Environmental Planner, AICP Certified Planner, AICP Certified Transportation Planner, Professional Wildlife Biologist, or other certification provided by the state of California, or a nationally recognized professional organization related to environmental planning.
About Valley Water: Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Required License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
To review the Classification Specification, please click
Environmental Planning Unit (Position Code 1087)Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.
Selection Process
(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.
NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.
Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.
Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click
01
I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.
- Yes
- No
02
Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.
- Yes
- No
03
Please indicate how many years of professional experience you have with environmental planning.
- None
- Less than 3 years
- 3-5 years
- 5+ years or more
04
Please indicate how many years of professional experience you have with natural resource permitting.
- None
- Less than 3 years
- 3-5 years
- 5+ years or more
05
Do you have a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, environmental studies, environmental planning, city and regional planning, environmental science, natural resources management, geography, or related field? (Not required)
- Yes
- No
06
Please check all the certifications you possess. (Select all that apply).
- AICP Certified Environmental Planner
- AICP Certified Planner
- AICP Certified Transportation Planner
- Professional Wildlife Biologist
- Other planning related certification
- None of the above
07
Do you have specialized technical experience in any of the following areas? (Select all that apply)
- Air Quality
- Biological Resources
- Cultural Resources
- Noise and Vibration
- Transportation and Traffic
- Water Resources
- Construction Implementation
- Engineering Planning and/or Design
- Geographical Information Systems
- None of the above
08
Briefly describe your experience with California Environmental Quality Act or equivalent environmental documents. Please include your role and a description of the sections that you have personally authored and/or managed.
09
Briefly describe your experience preparing applications and negotiating federal, state, and regional natural resource agency permits.
10
Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
11
Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
Required Question