Environmental Compliance Officer

The Environmental Compliance Officer position is within ESD’s Regulatory Affairs and Purified Water Division, which has four programmatic focus areas: Purified Water, Wastewater Compliance, Air Compliance, and Municipal Environmental Compliance. Division staff are environmental scientists, environmental professionals, and engineers. The Division’s responsibilities cover a broad range of initiatives that include extensive investigation, monitoring, and remediation for water, air, and soil contamination in compliance with applicable regulations. The four programmatic areas also involve extensive collaboration with local, regional, and state scientists, regulators, and environmental professionals from partner agencies. Staff in the division implement environmental monitoring, reporting, permitting, and compliance programs for various federal and state permits issued under the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Clean Soil regulations.

The Environmental Compliance Officer position leads ESD’s Municipal Environmental Compliance Program, one of the four programmatic areas in the Regulatory Affairs and Purified Water Division. The program implements environmental assessments, investigations, and clean ups. This program provides key support to the City for contaminated site management and environmental liability assessment of City owned lands to safeguard public health and the environment. 

Position Duties

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is seeking a knowledgeable and proactive Environmental Compliance Officer to lead and coordinate citywide efforts that ensure environmental regulations are met across all City properties and facilities. This role is ideal for someone passionate about environmental stewardship and who thrives in a dynamic, technical, and highly collaborative environment. The Environmental Compliance Officer will manage complex environmental monitoring and investigative activities, oversee cleanup projects related to soil and groundwater contamination, and serve as a trusted advisor to City departments on compliance with local, state, and federal environmental laws. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in environmental science and regulatory frameworks. In addition, they will play a vital role in protecting public health, preserving natural resources, and ensuring ESD’s continued commitment to sustainable practices.

Salary range for this classification is: $139,077.12 – $189,265.44 annually. 

Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. 

Key Responsibilities 

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitors and oversees the operations of various collection/treatment systems and groundwater monitoring programs at the City’s closed landfills for the purpose of ensuring compliance with pertinent environmental guidelines and regulations and/or under orders/permits from regulatory agencies.
• Conducts and/or oversees environmental assessment studies and site screening assessment for all City property acquisitions, leases, or sales; reviews historical data and documentation, conducts inspections, initiates sampling process, evaluates the results, and makes appropriate recommendations in the best interest of the City and the community.
• Manages, directs, and oversees the continuing investigations and remediation closure processes for City-owned fuel contamination sites or other properties with elevated concentrations of contaminants of concern; coordinates consultants’ work with appropriate City departments and acts as liaison/City representative with pertinent regulatory agencies.
• Projects, compiles, develops and oversees assigned program budgets, implements and administers budget; projects and forecasts funds needed and available for staffing, consulting, equipment, materials, and supplies, monitors approved budget and actual expenditures, recommending adjustments as necessary.
• Participates in the appointment of personnel; provides or coordinates staff training and coaching; conducts performance evaluations in a timely and effective manner; implements performance development plans for staff; initiates and implements discipline procedures as necessary and according to City’s Personnel Policies and Procedures; maintains staff quality and encourages high performance standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the Department.
• Provides technical and specialized support to the City’s Planning Department regarding toxics, hazardous materials, and soil and groundwater related issues associated with development proposals; reviews EIRs, proposed site development plans, toxic remediation plans; approves and/or modifies proposals to meet environmental requirements; advises and consults with developers/consultants regarding compliance issues and concerns.
• Provides technical and specialized support to various City departments regarding environmental compliance issues; represent City and affected department(s) to pertinent regulatory agencies, commissions, interested parties; collects, monitors, and analyzes data; documents findings; and prepares technical reports and recommendations.
• Performs legislative review and advocacy activities on various environmental and compliance issues as assigned; analyzes impacts, prepares position statements and/or back-up documentation, and makes recommendations upon request.
• Represents the City and its departments to outside agencies and organizations; participates in community and professional groups and committees; acts as a technical and professional resource providing support and assistance reflective of the City’s concerns and interest.
• Researches and prepares a variety of highly technical and administrative reports; prepares written correspondence on the more sensitive issues; prepares reports and presentations for the City Council and commissions/committees upon request.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employee and the public using principles of positive customer service and communication skills.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Biology, or a closely related field AND six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in monitoring and administering environmental compliance programs for a public agency to include significant experience of demonstrated supervisory and/or project management responsibility.

License: Possession of a valid State of California Driver’s License.

Other Qualifications 

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 – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thought

Analytical Thinking – Approaches problems and regulatory challenges using a logical, methodical approach; evaluates complex data, technical reports, and laws to support informed decision-making and compliance outcomes.

Leadership – Leads multidisciplinary teams and consultants by promoting a respectful and productive work environment; models ethical behavior and accountability while providing technical guidance and support.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Develops and maintains collaborative relationships across departments, agencies, and community stakeholders to achieve compliance objectives; gains cooperation through negotiation and diplomacy.

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

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 Ganna Malik at ganna1.malik@sanjoseca.gov

The application deadline for this position is Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

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 CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.