Environmental Specialist I

Salary : $69,721.60 - $84,822.40 Annually
Location : Carlsbad, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 07142026
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 07/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/4/2026 5:00 PM Pacific


The Position
Carlsbad - The Community

The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches and lagoons, and abundant natural open space combine with world-class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere to create the ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, the City of Carlsbad is currently home to about 115,000 residents. The city sets the standard for high-quality local government services and is home to corporate headquarters in technology, life sciences and action sports, supported by a thriving tourism market and nearly 40 percent preserved open space. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the city's infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life.
You belong in Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.


The Branch:
The Public Works Branch is responsible for planning, providing and maintaining the infrastructure that supports Carlsbad's excellent quality of life. The branch includes a variety of Departments including Administration, Environmental Management, General Services, Transportation and Utilities. More than 165 full-time staff support the branch which has an annual budget of $90 million, along with a total Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget of over $240 million.


The Department:
The Environmental Sustainability Department of Public Works supports the Community Vision of Sustainability, Open Space and Natural Environment. This Department is responsible for Climate Action Plan Division, Habitat Management Division, Sustainable Materials Management Division and Watershed Protection Division.


The Division:
The Sustainable Materials Management Plan (SMMP) was developed to minimize the generation of materials (source reduction), maximize the productive use of materials that are generated by reusing and/or repurposing those materials, and then minimize the amount of materials that are ultimately disposed to the landfill when they reach the end of their useful life.
The Position:

The City of Carlsbad is seeking a dedicated Environmental Specialist I (1)and a Part Time Hourly Professional-Environmental Specialist I (1)in the Sustainable Materials Management Division.


Under general supervision, responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive citywide environmental programs, designed to ensure compliance with solid waste regulations. This position will provide assistance to the Sustainable Materials Management Senior Program Manager and other departmental staff. Duties may include conducting education and outreach activities; field investigations; inspection of industrial, commercial, and residential properties; solid waste monitoring and data analysis; complaint response; customer service; and enforce and ensure compliance with solid waste, recycling, environmental protection, health and safety codes and other related ordinances under the Carlsbad Municipal Code; and perform related work as required. Field work and office work are both required in these positions, with occasional weekend and evening work.


The Ideal Candidate:
We are looking for candidates who possess excellent people skills, has the ability to work as a team, has the ability to communicate with a diverse audience, is an energetic, a motivated professional that is confident and passionate about the environment, embrace a range of technical and administrative issues, and assist with developing and implementing solutions to reduce waste and recycle.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Environmental Specialist I is the entry level position in the Environmental Sustainability Department. Incumbents work under the direction of the Senior Environmental Specialist, and/or the Sustainable Materials Management Senior Program Manager. The Environmental Specialist I may perform routine education and outreach efforts, inspections, (or assist with inspection and compliance activities with a more experienced inspector); solid waste monitoring and data analysis, complaint response, audits and studies, program implementation, environmental sampling and division-related activities. The position assists with annual report writing, inter-departmental training and coordination, acts as a city representative at regional meetings and provides a broad range of customer service including dealing with difficult people. Work is reviewed in progress and/or upon completion for accuracy and completeness.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and participate in the inspection, enforcement, pollution prevention, and data management activities of the Solid Waste and Sustainable Materials Management Program and other related environmental programs in accordance with federal, state and local laws, including tracking and maintenance of databases.
• Prepare outreach materials, conduct outreach efforts and train city staff on sustainable materials management, including recycling and organics (green and food waste).
• Provide information to property and business owners, tenants, city employees, and the general public through individual contact in the field, over the counter, at workshops or community events, and by telephone or other appropriate means.
• Coordinate with internal city departments to improve levels of compliance with applicable laws and best practices.
• Respond to inquiries related to the Sustainable Materials Management program and provide responsive, high-quality service to city employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner.
• Coordinate actions with other city, county and state departments in educating residents and visitors, inspections, and enforcement of code violations when so directed.
• Evaluate and interpret technical reports, documents, applications and permits related to environmental regulations and compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
To perform a job in this classification, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties as generally described in the specification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties in a specific job. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.


Knowledge of:
Basic understanding of principles and practices of environmental protection, environmental science, and/or impacts of pollution.

• Basic understanding of environmental laws.
• Basic understanding of how to deliver superior customer service.
• Use computer applications to assist in performing duties, e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation applications.
• Public relations and public speaking.
• Modern computerized and automated applications and use, including social media.
• Current issues in sustainable materials management, waste reduction and diversion.

Ability to:

• Learn applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies; learn to apply procedures, techniques, and interpret and make decisions related to job duties.
• Deal with the public tactfully and effectively.

• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Use computer applications to assist in performing duties, e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation applications.
• Develop educational and public programs concerning solid waste sustainability programs.

Experience & Education


Any combination of experience and education equivalent to a four-year degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, microbiology, ecology, solid waste management, or sanitary engineering, or related experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities described above.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a California Class C Driver's License and evidence of a satisfactory driving record. May be required to work after hours and weekends.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula
• Bilingual Pay
• Holidays - 11 scheduled
• Floating Holiday- 2
• Paid vacation
• Computer purchase loan
• Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here:
Additional CalPERS information can be found here:
01


ATTENTION APPLICANTS: "See Resume" and/or "See previous answer" are not acceptable responses to the questions below. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Please enter your initials below in acknowledgement.
02


Please indicate your highest level of education.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher

03


Do you have a valid CA Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

04


If you answered "no" because your license is in a different state, please identify that state below:
05


Please rate your experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word).

• None
• Basic
• Intermediate
• Proficient
• Advanced

06


Do you have basic experience, knowledge and understanding of sustainable materials management, waste reduction and diversion?

• Yes
• No

07


If you answered "yes" to the question above, please briefly describe your experience, knowledge and understanding. If you answered "no", indicate N/A.
08


Do you have a basic understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to solid waste, recycling, and environmental protection?

• Yes
• No

09


If you answered "yes" to the question above, please briefly describe your understanding and experience. If you answered "no", indicate N/A.
10


Please indicate the years of experience you have in customer service.

• None
• 1-2 Years
• 3-5 Years
• 5 or more Years

11


Please select which position you are interest in applying for.

• Full time Environmental Specialist I
• Part Time Hourly Professional Environmental Specialist I
• Please consider me for both

Required Question