Senior Environmental Services Specialist

Minimum Pay Rate: $128,481.60

Maximum Pay Rate: $170,144.00

Civil Service Status: Civil Service

Apply by Date: 08/26/2026

Posting Type: Open

This posting intends to fill one (1) regular full-time position and establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill regular, full-time, or limited-term positions, over the next two (2) years.

This position serves as a CEQA lead and technical expert in performing planning, development, implementation and evaluation of key Environmental Services programs, as well as regulatory requirements in support of business unit operations. The lead will assume responsibility for overseeing projects and resolving complex problems, obtaining environmental permits, developing and delivering solutions that meet internal and external customer needs and expectations.

Purpose

Serves as a program lead and technical expert coordinating SMUD’s environmental programs and regulatory requirements, including:

• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate environmental programs
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental rules, policies, regulations, and procedures
• Ensure work quality and accuracy as it relates to environmental issues
• Train business unit personnel on environmental procedures
• Manage consultants and contractors

Nature and Scope

There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience, and qualification requirements:

• Entry : Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.
• Journey : Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.

Non-Flex classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series:

• Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead and/or supervisory capacity.
• Supervisor : Working supervisor directing the work of a functional team

Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully “progress” to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.

Seniors and Supervisors must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Environmental Compliance
• Handle the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of environmental programs to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental rules, policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Oversee the preparation and submittal of permit applications, technical reports, and compliance documents, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide expert guidance and recommendations to management and staff on complex compliance matters and emerging regulations.
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Direct and oversee field assessments, sampling and analysis of environmental data (e.g., air, water, soil, biological resources, hazardous materials) to evaluate risks and impacts.
• Review and validate technical reports and findings prepared by staff or consultants.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge to interpret data, resolve complex issues, and guide organizational decision-making.
• Environmental Education and Training
• Develop, deliver and oversee training programs on environmental policies, procedures, and best practices for staff, leadership and stakeholders.
• Mentor and provide technical direction to junior and journey-level staff on environmental issues.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource on environmental education and compliance awareness initiatives.
• Project and Program Management
• Manage major environmental projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance requirements.
• Oversee project teams, consultants and contractors, including budgeting, scheduling and deliverables.
• Recommend strategies for risk management, problem resolution, and process improvement across environmental programs.
• Sustainability Initiatives
• Develop and guide organizational sustainability programs and strategies to reduce environmental impact.
• Track, assess and report on sustainability performance metrics to leadership and external stakeholders.
• Recommend and implement innovative approaches to improve operational efficiency and sustainability outcomes.
• Community and Regulatory Engagement
• Represent the organization in high-level meetings with regulatory agencies, community organizations, and external partners.
• Facilitate public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community education on environmental initiatives and issues.
• Act as primary liaison with regulators on compliance matters, ensuring organizational interests are represented.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Emergency Response Preparedness
• Drive the development and implementation of environmental emergency response plans (e.g., spills, contamination events, etc.).
• Direct staff training and response drills to ensure organizational readiness.
• Serve as subject matter expert during emergency response incidents, providing technical guidance and coordination.
• Research, Policy and Monitoring
• Monitor and assess changes in environmental legislation, regulations and policies; advise management on impacts to operations.
• Conduct and oversee research on environmental trends, technologies, and best practices to support program innovation
• Develop recommendations for program and policy updates in response to regulatory and industry changes.
• Grant Writing and Funding Acquisition
• Identify funding opportunities and oversee the preparation of applicable sections of grant applications.
• Oversee compliance with grant-funded projects, ensuring compliance with requirements and alignment with program objectives.
• Leadership, Collaboration and Communication
• Provide technical expertise in assigned environmental program areas.
• Supervise consultants, contractors, and act as an authorized delegate for supervisory responsibilities, including training, mentoring, and performance feedback for staff.
• Communicate complex technical and regulatory information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executives, staff, and the public.
• Other Duties
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned. Work schedules, hours and locations may vary based on business and program needs.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies, engineering, biology, geology, archaeology, or a related field or equivalent experience. If no degree, nine or more (9+) years of experience are required.

Required Experience Qualifications

• Five or more (5+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the environmental field to include overseeing or leading projects.

Required Licenses/Certificates

Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License (CDL) with a satisfactory driving record (not more than two moving violations in the last two years).

Knowledge Of

• Environmental fundamentals, procedures, policies, standards, practices, and industry trends pertaining to and with expertise in one or more of the following: California Environmental Quality Act; Clean Water Act; endangered species; stormwater; hazardous materials business plans; soil sampling, management, disposal, cathodic well installation; air quality permitting; water quality permitting; and/or greenhouse gas reporting;
• Methods and techniques for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling work activities.
• Methods and techniques for training staff;
• Methods and techniques for report preparation and writing;
• Techniques and practices for problem research and resolution;
• Basic budgeting techniques;
• Methods and techniques for keeping records;
• Standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software;
• English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.Environmental Compliance
• Handle the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of environmental programs to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental rules, policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Oversee the preparation and submittal of permit applications, technical reports, and compliance documents, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide expert guidance and recommendations to management and staff on complex compliance matters and emerging regulations.
• Data Collection and Analysis.
• Direct and oversee field assessments, sampling and analysis of environmental data (e.g., air, water, soil, biological resources, hazardous materials) to evaluate risks and impacts.
• Review and validate technical reports and findings prepared by staff or consultants.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge to interpret data, resolve complex issues, and guide organizational decision-making.
• Environmental Education and Training.
• Develop, deliver and oversee training programs on environmental policies, procedures, and best practices for staff, leadership and stakeholders.
• Mentor and provide technical direction to junior and journey-level staff on environmental issues.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource on environmental education and compliance awareness initiatives.

Additional Knowledge Of

• Project and Program Management.
• Manage major environmental projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance requirements.
• OverseRecommend strategies for risk management, problem resolution, and process improvement across environmental programs. e project teams, consultants and contractors, including budgeting, scheduling and deliverables.
• Recommend strategies for risk management, problem resolution, and process improvement across environmental programs.
• Sustainability Initiatives.
• Develop and guide organizational sustainability programs and strategies to reduce environmental impact.
• Track, assess and report on sustainability performance metrics to leadership and external stakeholders.
• Recommend and implement innovative approaches to improve operational efficiency and sustainability outcomes.
• Community and Regulatory Engagement.
• Represent the organization in high-level meetings with regulatory agencies, community organizations, and external partners.
• Facilitate public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community education on environmental initiatives and issues.
• Act as primary liaison with regulators on compliance matters, ensuring organizational interests are represented.
• Emergency Response Preparedness.
• Drive the development and implementation of environmental emergency response plans (e.g., spills, contamination events, etc.).
• Direct staff training and response drills to ensure organizational readiness.
• Serve as subject matter expert during emergency response incidents, providing technical guidance and coordination.
• Research, Policy and Monitoring
• Monitor and assess changes in environmental legislation, regulations and policies; advise management on impacts to operations.
• Conduct and oversee research on environmental trends, technologies, and best practices to support program innovation.
• Develop recommendations for program and policy updates in response to regulatory and industry changes.
• Grant Writing and Funding Acquisition
• Identify funding opportunities and oversee the preparation of applicable sections of grant applications.
• Oversee compliance with grant-funded projects, ensuring compliance with requirements and alignment with program objectives.
• Leadership, Collaboration and Communication
• Provide technical expertise in assigned environmental program areas.
• Supervise consultants, contractors, and act as an authorized delegate for supervisory responsibilities, including training, mentoring, and performance feedback for staff.
• Communicate complex technical and regulatory information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executives, staff, and the public.
• Other Duties
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned. Work schedules, hours and locations may vary based on business and program needs.

Skills To

• Promote regulatory awareness among business units;
• Drive integration of environmental compliance and risk reduction strategies;
• Recommend changes to work processes to reduce risk and work closely with others to implement changes;
• Identify and assess problems and recommend solutions;
• Coordinate work with other SMUD business units and individuals;
• Plan, organize, direct, control, and review the work performed by others;
• Identify and assess training needs for staff;
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and schedule projects;
• Apply applicable laws, codes and regulations;
• Assist in budget preparation and administration;
• Manage contracts;
• Utilize a personal computer and software relevant to the job;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing internally and externally;
• Establish and maintain effective internal and external working relationships.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with regulatory compliance, environmental risk assessment, environmental review, environmental permitting, development and implementation of mitigation measures and permit conditions, and training staff on environmental regulations and requirements.
• Strong quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) and communication skills.
• Experience preparing and managing CEQA documents, including Environmental Impact Reports, Initial Studies/Mitigated Negative Declarations, Negative Declarations, and Categorical Exemptions.
• Experience in project management, including managing budgets and schedules, contract management, and developing and executing scopes of work.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

Hybrid Work
This position will be required to work onsite one or more days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at any of our SMUD locations. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.

CalPERS

SMUD is a CalPERS agency . As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit