Principal Environmental Specialist

Job Description:

Principal Environmental Specialist

Description

Description

This recruitment process is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. The first review of applications is Monday , July 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

DEFINITION: Under general supervision, oversees environmental or fire prevention activities and reviews proposed construction/equipment projects for compliance with environmental statutes and regulations, and fire codes, investigates hazardous materials incidents and fires for origin and cause determinations, and refers criminal activities for legal action.

Essential Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversees and performs new construction/equipment plan reviews and indicates necessary corrections for above ground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, stormwater systems, hazardous materials risk management programs, and hazardous materials facilities; evaluating fire protection/life safety systems, coordinates plan check activities with City functions and outside agencies; attends meetings and performs liaison role for fire/life safety, water supply issues and environmental issues; ensures plans meet the requirements of related federal, state, and local fire protection, life safety and environmental codes, regulations and restrictions.
  
• Reviews proposed projects with and provides technical assistance to developers, consultants, engineers, architects, contractors, City personnel and the public; interprets and explains requirements and restrictions relative to environmental and fire/life safety codes, ordinances, regulations, statutes, policies and procedures; develops alternative methods to comply with requirements and restrictions.
  
• Oversees inspection program and inspects businesses for above ground storage tank provisions, underground storage tank provisions, industrial waste provisions, stormwater regulations, and general compliance with environmental regulations and statutes, fire hazards, proper operation of suppression devices, adequacy of fire escapes and exits, and general compliance with fire codes; coordinates and schedules training drills between local facilities and the Fire Department.
  
• Responds to hazardous materials incidents and fires to conduct cause and origin investigations and arson investigations; reports possible criminal activity to District Attorney and assists in prosecutions.
  
• Conducts research and writes comprehensive technical reports.
  

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Knowledge of:

• Related national, state and local laws, standards, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  
• International Fire and Building Codes, and National and State Fire Codes.
  
• State environmental laws and regulations, local ordinances and standards.
  
• Fire engineering principles, and the systems and equipment used in fire detection/suppression.
  
• Fire prevention and inspection methods.
  
• Environmental inspection methods.
  
• Fire and life safety systems.
  
• General building, electrical, plumbing and construction methods and materials.
  
• Investigative methods and practices.
  

Skill in:

• Reading and interpreting plans, blueprints and specifications.
  
• Interpreting and applying related laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  
• Conducting field investigations.
  
• Communicating orally and in writing.
  
• Conducting research and writing comprehensive technical reports.
  
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other Fire Department staff, other City employees and the public.
  

Working Conditions:

May require use of respirator during an emergency response, may come in contact with hazardous substances including smoke and toxic gases.

May be required to climb ladders.

May be required to perform off-hours inspections and plan checks.

Occasionally required to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: T hree (3) years increasingly responsible experience in fire code, environmental compliance and fire prevention/inspection.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Fire Protection Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
License/Certificates: A valid California Driver's License at a level appropriate to the vehicles operated. Must obtain International Code Council "California UST Inspector" certification within six (6) months of the date of hire.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions : Regularly required to climb ladders. Occasionally required to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of El Segundo employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

The City of El Segundo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging

SUPERVISORY AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (S&P)
Benefits Summary
Effective 10/1/2018 - 04/24/2023

Retirement:
Miscellaneous employees - PERS Tier I - 2%@55. PARS Supplemental Retirement Plan (.5@55) - members pay 100% of the PARS cost through payroll deduction. Plan closed to new bargaining unit members as of 10/1/12. PERS Tier II-2%@60 for individuals employed by the City on or after 12/30/12 who are already PERS members. Tier I and II members pay 8% of pensionable income. Single highest year coordinated with Social Security and Medicare. PERS 2%@62 for new employees/members hired on or after 1/1/13. Three year average coordinated with Social Security and Medicare. Members pay 50% of normal cost (6.75%).

Medical Contribution: The City provides health plans through CalPERS. The City contributes the minimum monthly amount statutorily required by the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA). EffectiveJanuary 1, 2024, the City contribution is $1,750per month. Employees pay the balance of the medical premium through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Retiree Medical - City offers paid retiree medical insurance at same rate as active employees.

Longevity Pay : Up to $449.38/month for 20 years of service.

Certification Pay : Up to $449.38/month with Department Head approval.

Bilingual Pay : Up to $224.69/month with Department Head approval.

Optical/Dental/Life and AD&D : City provides fully paid dental and optical insurance for the employee and all eligible dependents, up to $184.25 per month.

Flex Plan : Section 125 Plan, allows for payment of employee paid insurance, medical treatment, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Life Insurance : $50,000 term life policy provided by City; employee can purchase additional self and dependent coverage at group rates.

State Disability Insurance : Coverage provided through State Employment Development Department for short-term disability. Costs borne by union employees.

Long-Term Disability : City provides fully-paid LTD insurance. Continuance of 66 2/3% of first $9,750 of employee's salary. Applies to non-job related occurrences. 60-day waiting period.

Holidays : 12 fixed paid holidays; Additional 10 or 9 hours of personal leave/ floating holiday per year according to employee assigned schedule.

Vacation Leave : 96 hours (1-5 years); 120 hours (6-10 years); 144 hours (11-15 years): 176 hours (16+ years). Leave can be used after 6 months of service. Annual cash conversion option.

Sick Leave : 8 hours per month.

Bereavement Leave : Three (3) working days or 40 hours where travel is 500 miles or more] for qualifying incident.

Tuition Reimbursement : Up to $2,000/year for tuition and books.

Cell Phone Stipend : $80/month for employees who opt to use their own device in lieu of City-issued phone.

Uniform Allowance : $400/year for certain classes.

Other :Voluntary participation in Credit Union, Mission Square 457Deferred Compensation Program.

Revised: 1/11; 11/11; 12/11; 12/12; 2/13; 1/14; 6/14; 1/16; 9/16; 1/17; 1/18; 12/19; 1/21; 8/22

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$9,355.90 - $11,372.15 Monthly