Environmental Specialist Sr

The Operational Sustainability team focuses on waste diversion, climate action, and sustainability initiatives geared towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions for Travis County as an organization. We are currently seeking a self‑motivated, qualified Environmental Specialist Sr. to manage vendor contracts and budgets, lead our education and outreach efforts and waste diversion initiatives, and assist the Program Manager and Planner Sr. with other project work related to the program goals. The Environmental Specialist Sr. will administer over 20 vendor contracts and manage related project funding. The position will be the primary liaison for all contracted services and will work closely with vendors and Travis County Purchasing and Finance offices. This role will lead all internal education and outreach efforts related to waste diversion, climate planning, and other sustainability initiatives. This position will also have a supporting role in the program’s waste diversion efforts and event planning. Work includes contract and budget management, relationship building, and leading, planning and implementing education and outreach efforts throughout the organization. This position will also work with staff to support the program’s waste diversion initiatives and event planning. Requirements will include strong written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to educate diverse groups of stakeholders. Knowledge of waste diversion methods and climate action planning is preferred. The role may require presenting information to elected officials and will sit on select committees. The Operational Sustainability Program offers flexible work hours, a mix of office and field work, as well as teleworking options. Distinguishing Characteristics: This position may support one or more of the following program areas: Hazardous materials management, hazardous waste management and cleanup, pesticide use and management, household hazardous waste and other special wastes; Solid waste management, recycling, responsible purchasing; Storm water management, erosion and sedimentation controls; Water quality monitoring, assessment, regulation, compliance and policy; Air quality monitoring, assessment regulation, compliance and policy; Land acquisition in support of endangered species protection or other natural resources program; Grant development and administration; Environmental policy and legislative analysis; and Compliance and civil enforcement across multiple program areas. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. Develops, implements, performs duties of and/or administers a group of countywide natural resource and environmental quality programs or a single program that require a high level of technical skill, specialized knowledge, or expertise as reflected by an accredited certification or extensive experience. Includes planning, carrying out and evaluating projects and activities in support of the programs. Manages multiple projects, contracts and activities consistent with authorized scope, schedule and budget. Coordinates efforts with contractors, department staff, other departments and agencies, the regulated community, stakeholders and the general public. Serves as departmental liaison for the designated programs. Analyzes and interprets Federal, State and Local environmental regulations. Recommends, develops and implements procedures and projects consistent with environmental regulations. Makes recommendations on compliance to the department and the regulated community. Prepares cost estimates, plans and specifications for outside goods or services within the designated areas of program specialization. Prepares request for proposals, assists in contract negotiations with outside vendors and manages approved contracts. Develops purchase requests for supplies and services required for assigned programs and projects. Assists with development of grant proposals, applications, and contracts for services with other agencies as sources for additional funding. Analyzes, evaluates and presents data, maintain databases and prepares written reports. Presents findings and reports to department staff and management, other agencies, the Commissioners Court and the public. Conducts education and outreach to the general public by participating in information meetings, trainings, and conferences to explain issues related to the programs goals. Represents the department by working closely with groups, community members and organization representatives. Conducts advanced level technical inspections, analyses and or investigations. Specific to grants area of specialization: Administers preparation and submission of grant applications for new and continued funding of programs through Federal, State, Local and County sources, including maintaining grant accurate records and prepare monthly reports of progress, monitoring contractual compliance, reviews projects, coordinates efforts between funding agencies, and schedules items for approval. Specific to grants area of specialization: Identifies funding sources, develops projects and writes grant proposals. Communicates and meets with funding agencies, and assists with taking the application through the approval process. Responds to information requests. Serves on committees and task forces dealing with environmental or grants issues. Reviews projects in the Natural Resources and Environmental Quality programs. Reviews project operations to ensure timely submission of progress reports. Supports civil enforcement, as required. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Technical Writing or a directly related field AND three (3) years experience in the program specialization areas listed above; OR, any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Valid Texas Driver's License. Depending on assigned duties, may require certification in the designated specialty field such as: International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification, International Erosion Control Association (IECA) certification (e.g. Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, CPESC), Pest Control Applicator License, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), or Certified Grant Management Specialist as recognized by the National Grants Management Association. Preferred: Fluent in Spanish Experience working in a leadership role Understanding of waste diversion, climate action, and sustainability initiatives Knowledge of contract administration and program budgeting Experience in education and outreach and event planning HAZWOPER Certified Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: Grant guidelines, procedures and of funding agencies. (Specific to grants area of specialization) Grant technical writing, project management, and environmental specifications. (Specific to grants area of specialization) Standard theory, principles, practices and techniques of environmental and natural resource protection. Scientific principles and techniques related the assigned area of environmental specialization. Federal, State, Local and County applicable environmental laws, rules, regulations and guidelines. General aptitude in mathematics or accounting. Principles, practices and techniques of project management, and environmental specifications. Research and data analysis techniques. Principles of data and document management. Computer equipment and software to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages including geographic information systems. Technical writing, report writing and preparation, business letter writing, grammar and punctuation. Skill in: Use of biological monitoring, environmental assessment, and wildlife control equipment and instruments. Use of field techniques appropriate to the areas of specialization. Data analysis. Geographic Information Systems, including the ability to: create maps and graphs, using GIS software and related equipment; compile geographic data from a variety of sources which may include census, field observation, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps; retrieve stored maps, manage shape files and other GIS data; Data management techniques. Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non‑technical language. Problem‑solving and decision‑making. Both verbal and written communication. Problem‑solving and decision‑making. Verbal and written communication. Ability to: Research, plan and coordinate grant related activities. Write policies and procedures. Manage time well, perform and prioritize multiple tasks, organize diverse activities, develop and implement environmental research and projects. Meet deadlines and produce projects in a timely manner while working on several projects at once. Work as a team member within a diverse organization. Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports. Effectively present information to management and public groups. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public. Physical requirements Ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to driving a 4‑wheel drive vehicle, standing, walking/hiking (some rough terrain), carrying, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. May work in extreme temperature/weather change/conditions, and smoke on prescribed or wild fires. May be subject to contact with dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable/infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals. Work Hours 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. Location 700 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701 Department TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc) Background Checks Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. Contact For updates or questions on this position, contact: View email address on click.appcast.io This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. #J-18808-Ljbffr Travis County