Associate Environmental Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:

• Location: The new Airport Authority Administration building, located on the San Diego International Airport campus and near the waterfront, providing stunning views of our runway, San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline.
• Hybrid Schedule: This role follows a hybrid schedule with both on-site and remote work. On-site days are required, based on department needs, to support collaboration and business operations. Remote work flexibility is available on other days as determined by the department.
• Salary: The hiring salary for Associate Environmental Specialist is starting at $100,885-$116,018 The full pay range for Associate Environmental Specialist is $77,604-$124,167.
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
• Wellness: Enjoy a workplace that makes well‑being part of the daily routine! Tap into multiple on‑site gyms, unwind or brainstorm in outdoor workspaces, connect with financial wellness advisors, and explore scenic walking trails just steps from campus, all wrapped in a supportive wellness package designed to help you feel your best inside and outside of work.
• Application Deadline: October 20, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

About the Job:

The Planning, Noise, & Environment Department is seeking an Associate Environmental Specialist who is passionate about environmental protection and has a knack for building strong, positive relationships across diverse teams. In this role, you'll play a crucial part in ensuring storm water compliance throughout the entire lifecycle of construction projects at the airport, from design to post-construction. You’ll be responsible for reviewing project plans, attending meetings, performing inspections, and ensuring that environmental standards are met in real-time, making this role a blend of fieldwork and public administration. A minimum of three days in the office is required for this position.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of environmental regulations [California Construction General Permit, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, California Industrial General Permit, dewatering discharge permits] and a proactive approach to risk mitigation. The ideal candidate is able to connect with a wide range of stakeholders—from construction crews, regulatory agencies, tenants, and contractors. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the airport’s sustainability goals while building lasting relationships and ensuring that complex environmental challenges are addressed effectively and collaboratively.

What You’ll Do:

• Ensure Environmental Compliance for Construction Projects: Review project plans for capital, tenant improvement, and major maintenance projects, attend pre-design and pre-construction meetings, review field design changes, and monitor construction to ensure adherence to environmental regulations and organizational initiatives.
• Mitigate Environmental Risks: Participate in technical processes, compliance audits, reporting, and permitting activities to minimize environmental impact before and during construction projects.
• Support the Authority’s Stormwater Program: Conduct field inspections, coordinate with contractors to meet compliance requirements, and review stormwater data and lab reports.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders: Partner with internal teams, regulatory agencies, contractors, and tenants on environmental program issues, inspections, trainings, and incident management.
• Track projects: monitor construction projects throughout their lifecycle, identify environmental considerations, and facilitate coordination and communication between departments.
• Support Sustainability Programs: Contributeto the development, implementation, and tracking of sustainability initiatives, working with various stakeholders to drive progress.
• Develop Environmental Reports and Documentation: Write and maintain documents, reports, records, and operating procedures related to environmental regulations, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Participate in Environmental Training and Outreach: Lead or assist in educational activities, promotional events, and outreach efforts related to environmental programs and sustainability initiatives.
• Work-Related Driving*: Regular driving of Authority vehicles to access construction sites and other locations throughout Airport Authority property for inspections, monitoring, meetings, and other environmental program activities.

The Skills You Need:

1. Business Process Knowledge - Identifies, documents, and monitors processes and develops framework for processes and improvement.
2. Communication - Proficiently exchanges information through various avenues including verbal, digital, written, facilitation, and persuasion.
3. Critical Thinking - C ritically reviews and translates requirements, data, and information to specify solutions or alternative practice in support of organizational objectives and strategies. 
4. Problem-Solving/Agility - Analyzes situations or factors and collaboratively generates alternatives or solutions, readily adapts behavior or new work methods to evolving and unexpected situations.
5. Relationship Building- Builds and maintains relations with stakeholders, identifies and relates information, ideas and problems, champions initiatives and ideas based on mutually acceptable solutions.
6. Leveraging Technology - Uses electronic information and systems effectively.
7. Planning & Execution - Ability to plan, organize, and execute projects from start to finish. Creates momentum within projects for the benefit of the team; can turn ideas into actions.

About the Team:

The Planning, Noise, and Environment (PNE) department helps shape what comes next for SAN. The department brings a long-range perspective on how the airport grows, operates, and connects with the surrounding region with work spanning airport and regional planning, land use, noise, and environmental programs. PNE works across disciplines and alongside teams throughout the Airport Authority, serving as thoughtful stewards of the different perspectives, priorities, and interests that shape complex initiatives. 

Within PNE, the Environment team is a group of approximately eight professionals dedicated to integrating sustainability and environmental compliance into how SAN plans for, develops, and operates the airport. The team leads initiatives related to water stewardship, strategic energy, carbon neutrality, clean transportation, biodiversity, zero waste, and climate resilience. To advance these efforts, staff collaborate with teams across the Airport Authority, as well as tenants, contractors, construction crews, external agencies, and regional partners.

Requirements

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Four years of increasingly responsible experience involving analysis, planning, and/or implementation of professional environmental-related program assignments, or any equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in environmental science, public or business administration, or a closely related field.

Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements :

• Maintain a valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle insurance policy.

Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• Current Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD), Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP), and/or Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner (QISP) certification, LEED Green Associate and/or LEED AP credential.
• Experience supporting construction projects and/or experience working within or in partnership with a public agency.

*Driving is an Essential Function

This role requires regular driving as a critical part of performing work-related duties, specifically involving the operation of Airport Authority vehicles. A valid California driver’s license is required, along with strict adherence to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Applicants must maintain an acceptable driving record to operate Authority vehicles. Compliance with Airport Authority vehicle use policies, including safety protocols and reporting requirements, is mandatory. Applicants must acknowledge that driving Airport Authority vehicles is an essential function of this role. 

**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.