Environmental Services Specialist

Environmental Services Specialist

The City of Garden Grove is now accepting applications for Environmental Services Specialist. The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance and construction of all municipal facilities and equipment and associated infrastructure. This includes streets, sidewalks, parks, public buildings, street trees, flood control channels, traffic signals and City-owned vehicles and equipment. Additionally, the department is responsible for the City's water system and managing trash and recycling services. Under general supervision, the Environmental Services Specialist performs a variety of activities to ensure substantial compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have experience in implementation of programs designed to monitor, assess, and/or investigate environmental conditions; demonstrate exceptional attention to detail; be able to resolve conflict; gather and analyze data; and provide excellent customer service to all levels of the organization. We currently have one full-time opening and we anticipate creating an eligibility list from this recruitment that may be used to fill current and future vacancies for this classification, so apply now!

Essential Duties

The Environmental Services Specialist will:

• Inspect properties, facilities and businesses for federal, state, and local environmental control program compliance, including the review of hazardous material management documents;
• Respond, investigate and report complaints of prohibited discharges into the City's storm water drain and sewer system;
• Enforce storm water quality, recycling and sanitary district codes;
• Prepare and issue notices of non-compliance, administrative compliance orders, cease and desist orders and citations, as necessary;
• Assist in civil and criminal investigations, including the collecting, preserving and documenting of evidence and the preparation of case summary reports;
• Inspect properties, facilities, and businesses subject to the grease control ordinance for compliance;
• Prepare and submit federal, state, and local environmental compliance reports;
• Identify properties, facilities, and businesses where a local permit may be appropriate and enforce the provisions of such a permit;
• Maintain records and reports of inspections and surveillance activities;
• Respond to public inquiries; collect and maintain data, including inventories associated with properties, facilities, and businesses with regards to the environmental control program;
• Assist emergency responders in evaluating and determining the need for emergency abatement of conditions posing an imminent danger to public safety and/or the environment;
• Respond to sanitary sewer overflows and hazardous material and chemical spills and mobilize work crews for non-hazardous clean up related to violations of the Orange County National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit and/or City Grease Control Program;
• Report prohibited discharges to include sewage spill incidents to the appropriate federal, state, and local administering agency; and
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Graduation from an accredited high school, successful completion of the G.E.D. (General Educational Development) exam, or equivalent and two (2) years of experience conducting industrial, commercial, or residential enforcement or inspections in the areas of storm water, water quality, environmental reporting, or hazardous materials is required.

KNOWLEDGE OF: Federal, state, and local air, water and hazardous waste/materials laws, rules, codes and regulations; methods and techniques of conflict resolution; customer service techniques and principles; the Standard Emergency Management System and Incident Command System; principles and techniques of inspection for above ground or underground tanks, pressure vessels, grease interceptors, oil/water separators, clarifiers, and related hazardous materials systems; the Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program.

ABILITY TO: Enforce applicable local, state, and federal codes, ordinances, and regulations related to storm water quality, air quality, sanitation, and sewage discharge; gather and evaluate data and evidence; prepare clear and concise reports; operate modern office equipment including computers; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; work cooperatively and effectively with others; work independently; interact well with the general public; and commit to providing quality customer service.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a Class C California driver's license and an acceptable driving record in order to operate a City vehicle. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years. Completion of a 40 hour Hazardous Materials First Responder training (Hazwoper 40).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification stand; walk; lift and carry objects weighing up to 24 lbs, and may occasionally may lift up to 50 lbs; stoop, bend and lean; turn and twist; use fingers, both hands and both legs repetitively; use rapid mental/muscular coordination; repetitive twisting or pressure involving wrists or hands; hear normal voice conversation; distinguish shades and colors; see long distances; see small details; operate mobile or motorized equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment described here is representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification work inside, outside, in direct contact with the public, around chemicals, toxic materials, explosive substances, dangerous machinery, and machinery with moving parts.

How To Apply

Online applications can be completed by visiting: Questions regarding this position may be sent via email to View email address on click.appcast.io. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 5, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. Online application packets must include:

• a completed online employment application
• a completed supplemental questionnaire

The job application must be completely filled out. A resume may be submitted but cannot substitute for the application or for some of the other required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant course work that would make you a particularly strong candidate. Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.

The selection process may include:

• Oral panel interview – tentatively scheduled for October 20, 2026

Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at View email address on click.appcast.io at least one week prior to any test dates.

Applicants will receive communication through email only. Applicants should check their email and spam mail for all notices.

If there are any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at View email address on click.appcast.io.

The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate's application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.

The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law. Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.