Environmental Services Specialist

The City of San Jose is hiring an Environmental Services Specialist for a full-time position in San Jose, CA, with a salary range of $86,726.64 to $134,643.60 annually. The role involves assisting in the development and monitoring of compliance programs related to water resources, including safety and hazardous materials management. The department promotes an inclusive workplace culture and offers professional growth opportunities, along with excellent health and pension benefits.
Salary: $86,726.64 - $134,643.60 Annually
Location : San Jose
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202501313
Department: Environmental Services
Opening Date: 10/28/2025
Closing Date: 11/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov.
About the Department
The is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose.

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! Additionally, the City offers excellent health and pension , as well as 15 paid holidays!

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on (formally Twitter),, , and San Jose Environmental Services on

About the Water Resources Division

ESD's Water Resources Division brings together engineers, operations and maintenance, technical, and program staff to supply clean water to over 100,000 customers and recycled water to more than 1,000 customers; in addition, we lead conservation efforts to preserve our region's precious drinking water supply. You can contribute to the local community by joining us in meaningful and important work focusing on water supply, resource sustainability, customer outreach, and infrastructure reliability. We are a small, but fun, division of ESD located in South San José.

The Water Resources Division is comprised of three sections: Potable Water Supply and Engineering (Municipal Water System), Water Recycling (South Bay Water Recycling), and Operations and Maintenance (O&M).

Position Duties
The Salary ranges for these classifications are:
Assistant Environmental Services Specialist: $86,726.64 - $105,399.84Associate Environmental Services Specialist: $100,507.68 - $122,107.44Environmental Services Specialist: $110,816.16 - $134,643.60
The Water Resources & Compliance Specialist will assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of programs/policies/practices that ensure compliance with regulations including the effective execution of Water Resources' Cross-Connection Control Program and O&M safety and Hazardous Materials management.

The Water Resources & Compliance Specialist will provide expertise and experience with program implementation, policy interpretation, including performing inspections, trainings, and other compliance program elements.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Supporting the Environmental Program Manager in planning and implementing programs and projects to ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and safety standards. Responsibilities include: researching and analyzing Cross-Connection Control Handbook regulations; developing and recommending policies and procedures for outreach and hazard assessments; researching and implementing efficient operational processes and workflows; supporting special projects focused on implementing compliance and emergency response programs and policies.Coordinating and collaborating with the city's Cross Connection Specialist to ensure regulatory compliance databases are reporting complete and accurate dataAssisting South Bay Water Recycling in compiling annual site inspection reports from recycled water retailers and customers, and support for the annual groundwater monitoring sampling.Perform technical and field inspection duties to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, permits, and standards related to potable and recycled water.Review construction and engineering plans for compliance with recycled water, cross-connection, and environmental regulations.Schedule and conduct Safety and Hazardous Materials audits of sites such as O&M headquarters and pump stations.Assist with the updates of permits and management plans related to safety and environmental programs-including, but not limited to, Hazardous Materials, Hazardous Waste, Stormwater, Emergency Response Plans, and Emergency Action Plans. Responsibilities also include maintaining and preparing environmental compliance reports and records and representing the city during regulatory inspections.
Experience with the development, implementation, and maintenance of Environmental Compliance and Safety programs. Including but not limited to:
Support actions and plans to be developed to address the new Cross-Connection Control Handbook regulations and knowledge of public administrative program and policy implementationHazardous Materials/Hazardous Waste Storage and DisposalApplicable knowledge of construction field inspections, incident investigations, information preservation, and reporting proceduresCoursework in environmental compliance or related field is desirable.Backflow testing and Cross-Connection Control certifications are desirable.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Assistant Environmental Service Specialist: One (1) year (2,080 hours) of experience developing, promoting, administering, and/or participating in the implementation of environmental programs (e.g. programs in air quality, integrated waste management, biology, agriculture, energy, forestry or parks, habitat restoration, wastewater, water resources, stormwater, archaeology, geology, resource conservation, industrial or environmental health and safety, or any program emphasizing environmental sustainability or environmental regulatory compliance).

Relevant experience in environmental services programs typically includes: preparing outreach/educational materials, conducting survey work, tracking and monitoring deliverables, coordinating special events, promoting programs, implementing new programs, policy development, planning and permitting, grants or contracts administration, analyzing data and creating reports, and/or tracking budgets.Associate Environmental Service Specialist: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs in one or more of the areas described under Assistant Environmental Services Specialist experience.Environmental Service Specialist: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs in one or more of the areas described under Assistant Environmental Services Specialist experience, including one (1) year of experience leading people or projects.
Acceptable Substitutions:
A master's degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs.Additional years of experience in developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs may be substituted for the bachelor's degree requirement on a year-for year basis.
Other Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise -Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Communication Skills - Communicates and listens effectively and responds in an timely, effective, positive and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, current; well-organized, legible, concise, neat, and in proper grammatical form responds to statements and comments of others in a way that reflects understanding of the content and the accompanying emotion; asks clarifying questions to assure understanding of what the speaker intended, ensures consistent communication takes place within area of responsibility.

Computer Skills- Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: Adobe Acrobat, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, MS SharePoint, and MS Excel.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Analytical Thinking - Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Political Skill - In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.
Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Edmund Wong at
Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email and we will research the status of your application.
The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's for detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City's Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an to explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.
01

What is the highest level of education you have completed? High School Diploma or the equivalent (GED) College (1 to 29 semester units/ 1 to 44 quarter units) College (30 to 59 semester units/ 45 to 89 quarter units) College (60 to 89 semester units/ 90 to 134 quarter units) College (90 to 119 semester units/ 135 to 179 quarter units) College (120 or more semester units/ 180 or more quarter units) Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Doctoral Degree Other None of the above
02

If you have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a related field, please state the field of study and the issuing accredited college or university.
03

How many years of experience do you have developing, promoting, administering, and/or participating in the implementation of environmental programs (e.g.: programs in air quality, water resources, stormwater, industrial or environmental health and safety, or any program emphasizing environmental sustainability or environmental regulatory compliance)? Please Note: One year of Full-Time experience = 2080 Hours Fewer than One (1) year One (1) year - Two (2) years Two (2) years - Three (3) years Three (3) years - Four (4) years Four (4) years - Five (5) years Five (5) years or more
04

Please describe your experience in developing, promoting, administering, and/or participating in the implementation of environmental programs (e.g.: programs in air quality, water resources, stormwater, industrial or environmental health and safety, or any program emphasizing environmental sustainability or environmental regulatory compliance). Otherwise, please put "N/A"
05

How many years of experience do you have leading people or projects? Fewer than one (1) year One (1) year or more
06

A master's degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs. If you have a masters degree, please state your field of study along with the name of the academic institution.
07

Additional years of experience in developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs may be substituted for the bachelor's degree requirement on a year-for year basis. If you have three (3) years or more of developing, promoting, administering, and/or implementing environmental programs, please list your total number of years. Otherwise put "N/A".
08

Describe your experience with compiling, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating information. Include your experience with report writing and presenting data to an audience. In your answer, include the subject, audience, recommendations or findings, and the outcomes achieved.
09

How do you manage a wide variety of workloads or multiple projects at one time to ensure they are completed within established deadlines?
10

Explain your experience working with regulatory agencies. Include the name of the agency/agencies and how you collaborated with them to implement organizational policies and/or processes.
11

Do you have a Backflow Tester and/or a Cross-Connection Control Certification(s)? Yes, I have a Backflow Tester and/or a Cross-Connection Control Certification(s) No, I do not have a Backflow Tester and/or a Cross-Connection Control Certification(s)
12

If you answered "yes" to having a Backflow Tester and/or a Cross-Connection Control Certification(s), please list the certification's identifiable information here. Otherwise, type "N/A"
13

How many years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental inspection and/or environmental consulting experience in assessing industrial, commercial, residential, and/or institutional facilities for compliance with Federal, State, or local codes OR equivalent experience in laboratory work, hazardous materials, or process control, do you have? Please note: One (1) year of Full-Time experience = 2080 hours. I do not possess any years of experience. Fewer than two (2) years. Two (2) years or more.
Required Question