Environmental Engineering Coordinator - Solid Waste

The City of Sunnyvale is recruiting for one Environmental Engineering Coordinator position for the Environmental Services Department. The department provides comprehensive and innovative utility services for Sunnyvale's residents and businesses and facilitates initiatives to achieve the City's sustainability objectives. The department brings together technical, operational, and administrative professional disciplines to form its dedicated and dynamic team.  

For the Solid Waste Division, we are seeking a highly motivated, organized, and creative individual with strong quantitative and analytical skills, impeccable written and verbal communication skills, and a solid understanding of environmental science and policies to manage Sunnyvale’s closed landfill.

This position works with environmental consultants and contractors, a diverse team of City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant operations and maintenance staff, and regulators including the Water Board, CalRecycle and the Air District to ensure closed landfills and compliance with solid waste, air and water quality regulations.

We are looking for an ideal candidate who can ensures compliance with applicable Permit requirements; reviews, analyzes, and interprets operational and monitoring data; and prepares technical memoranda and reports; has experience with designing, implementing, and maintaining solutions related to various aspects of postclosure maintenance of the landfill and performs related work as required.
 
Candidate’s experience in reviewing plans and specifications of public and private projects proposed on or near the landfill for potential impacts, informing developers/designers of impacts of landfill-related regulations and proposes necessary changes to projects is highly desirable.

Under general direction of an Environmental Services Department Division Manager, Senior Environmental Engineer, or Environmental Programs Manager, performs professional environmental management duties in the office and field for the Department of Environmental Services; prepares technical reports related to areas of stormwater, wastewater, landfill gas and landfill monitoring, regulatory compliance, financial assurance mechanisms, inspection and repair for a variety of City, local, State and Federal agencies; and performs related work as required.
 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The position of Environmental Engineering Coordinator is a fully qualified journey-level professional classification. This classification is distinguished from the higher-level Division Manager classifications in that the latter have overall responsibility for management of various services or programs. This classification is distinguished from the Senior Environmental Engineer and Environmental Programs Manager in that the higher classifications have broader programmatic responsibility.(May include, but are not limited to, the following):
 

• Verifies and ensures City compliance with environmental regulations and permits.
• Evaluates regulations and makes recommendations for City response.
• Prepares and provides technical analysis and impact reports to a variety of local, State and Federal agencies; works closely with other agencies on program related activities.
• Coordinates the development, design, and construction of a variety of environmental services projects.
• Develops cost estimates; provides input to budget; tracks revenues and expenses.
• Coordinates projects and provides project management of budget, compliance and scheduling.
• Coordinates work performed by consultants and contractors, reviews billings and recommends approval of payments.
• Assists department managers in the preparation of City Capital Project plans and specifications.
• Represents the City in negotiations, formal testimony, and other contacts with regulatory agencies, governmental jurisdictions, contractors, leaseholders, and the general public.
• Develops and submits reports and other correspondence to regulatory agencies.
• Prepares requests for proposals and contract specifications and makes recommendations on acceptance of proposals.
• Facilitates collaboration among internal and external partners
• Prepares briefings, and establishes internal work plans to address impending requirements.
• Researches, develops, and coordinates implementation of new programs.
• Evaluates and coordinates revisions to ordinance and municipal code, City policies and operational procedures to ensure conformance and compliance with new and revised requirements.
• Develops and writes grant applications

In addition to the above, if assigned to the Solid Waste Division, duties may include but are not limited to the following:
 

• Designs, implements, and maintains solutions related to various aspects of postclosure maintenance of the landfill, including the management of landfill gas, landfill gas condensate, leachate, groundwater, stormwater and postclosure uses of the landfill.
• Acts on behalf of the Solid Waste Programs Division Manager in his/her absence.
• Reviews plans and specifications of public and private projects proposed on or near the landfill for potential impacts, informs developers/designers of impacts of landfill-related regulations and proposes necessary changes to projects.

In addition to the above, if assigned to the Solid Waste Division, SMaRT Station Program duties may include but are not limited to the following:
 

• Analyze equipment repair/replacement options and costs
• Prepare and maintain 20-year capital equipment repair/replacement schedule
• Evaluate reports, evaluations and designs prepared by consultants regarding equipment and operational process changes and make recommendations
• Prepare technical specifications and work scopes for major equipment and facility repairs, and/or upgrades
• Ensure proper operation and maintenance of City facility and equipment through inspections, operator interviews and maintenance records review
• Monitor and analyze recycling and waste disposal market trends and recommend policies, practices and technologies that best match current and anticipated market prices and quality requirements

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and occasional reaching, twisting, turning kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag and push files, documents and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
 Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, natural sciences, environmental studies, chemistry, biology, geology or a related field; AND
Three years of project management experience involving solid waste management or landfill engineering, water quality management, environmental regulatory compliance or a related environmental field.
Knowledge of: 
 

• Environmental regulations and permits related to solid waste, wastewater, stormwater, hazardous waste, groundwater contamination, air quality, landfill gas, landfills, electricity generation and management, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy conservation.
• Principles and practices related to the preparation of plans and specifications for a wide variety of landfill and solid waste projects.
• Principles and practices related to water quality management, including wastewater treatment and stormwater management.
• Principles and practices related to energy conservation, energy management, renewable energy generation, and evaluating and tracking greenhouse gas emissions.
• Basic principles and practices of geology and environmental science relative to the migration of contaminants and slope stability and differential settlement.
• Waste management laws and regulations in the State of California.
• Water and air quality regulations in the State of California including NPDES requirements.
• Electricity generation and greenhouse gas emission management laws and regulations in the State of California including CPUC requirements.
• Public works construction and maintenance methods and practices and construction materials, designs and specifications.
• Environmental or civil engineering, land surveying and drafting.
• Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.

Ability to: 
 

• Instruct personnel in proper work methods and standards.
• Analyze complex issues and problems.
• Design and implement practical solutions to a variety of technical problems.
• Effectively manage and communicate technical data.
• Move about the assigned program operational area to evaluate operations and condition of machinery and environmental control systems.
• Safely use tools and power equipment during technical repairs of systems and equipment.
• Operate a computer using word processing, data management, and business software and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, public officials and the public.
• Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in the performance of duties.
• Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.

Willingness to: 

Travel to various locations in the Bay Area and Sacramento.
Work around landfill gas, landfill gas condensate, leachate, wastewater, stormwater, biosolids, and hazardous materials, including dust and fumes.
  
Licenses/Certificates:

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a certificate to practice as a Licensed Professional Civil Engineer, Certified Engineering Geologist, or Certified Hydrogeologist issued by the State of California, depending on the assigned work section.If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2024 (postmarks or faxes are not accepted).  Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click Jobs. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources).

SELECTION PROCESS
Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department  tentatively scheduled on the week of May 6, 2024.  Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION
Please note: Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Employees' Association (SEA).

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.