Associate Environmental Specialist

At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people—and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of talented employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible.

There is currently one (1) opening for Associate Environmental Specialist located at Headquarters, Los Angeles, CA.

This recruitment may result in an eligibility list*.

JOB SUMMARY

As an Associate Environmental Specialist, you will coordinate compliance programs across multiple Metropolitan facilities. In this role, you will develop and implement programs related to hazardous materials, air quality, wastewater, and underground storage tanks. You will be responsible for updating the environmental management database and ensuring tasks are completed timely. You will play a key role in maintaining regulatory compliance, creating training materials tailored to stakeholders and fostering collaborative relationships with internal teams and external regulatory agencies.

What You’ll Do

Environmental Project & Compliance Management: Develop and conduct environmental assessments, plans, and permitting projects across multiple regional sites, focusing on hazardous materials, air quality, and wastewater management.

Regulatory Reporting & Database Management: Utilize key state and local databases—including CERS, GeoTracker, SCAQMD Permit Database, CalOES Spill Reporting Database, and DTSC Hazardous Waste Tracking System—to ensure complete and accurate compliance reporting.

Digital Records & System Optimization: Modernize Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) records using SharePoint and cloud-based collaboration platforms; evaluate and recommend updated tools and systems as operational needs evolve.

Regulatory Monitoring & Advice: Track federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, and emerging issues to evaluate their impact on Metropolitan operations and advise on compliance strategy.

Stakeholder Engagement & Agency Relations: Serve as a clear, proactive communicator to build and maintain positive relationships with internal partners and external regulatory agencies.

This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.

To view the full job description click here: Associate Environmental Specialist

Schedule: 9/80 Start times are no earlier than 6 am and end times are no later than 6 pm.

Hybrid: Metropolitan’s current practice in this position is a hybrid work schedule. This typically includes two days a week in person and the other days remote. This is subject to change dependent on organizational needs. In addition, a telework policy is scheduled for negotiations and once completed and implemented, will provide final direction on the hybrid schedule.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and four years of relevant experience; or two years in an MWD Assistant Environmental Specialist II classification; or Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and two years of relevant experience.

Relevant/Related Experience is defined as: work experience with environmental, health and safety compliance programs to comply with local, county, state and federal requirements, including Air Quality, Underground Storage Tanks, Industrial Wastewater, Stormwater and Hazardous Materials/Waste.

Related Degree is defined as: an area within Engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Planning or other related fields.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this position may be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications, licensing and registrations:

License(s): Valid California Class C Driver’s License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.

BENEFITS

Competitive compensation

Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.

Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.

Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System

Tuition reimbursement

Training and advancement opportunities

Excellent working environment

Public transportation reimbursements

Hub of public transportation: rail, subway, buses, and taxis

On-site fitness center

For more information on MWD benefits, please use the following link: Benefits Regular FT PT Employees (Represented)

ABOUT MWD

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

Metropolitan is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace for all employees.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please reach out to the Human Resources Office at (213) 217-7738 or email jobs@mwdh2o.com.

In accordance with applicable laws, we provide religious accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, and observances that conflict with work requirements. If you require a religious accommodation during the application, interview, or employment process, please reach out to the EEO Office at (213) 217-5858 or eeooffice@mwdh2o.com. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Application Filing Period: Closes at 11:59 pm PT on the date stated in the job announcement. However, it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.

Eligibility List*: An eligibility list is a list of qualified candidates created when a job posting states that one will be established.

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications listed in the original posting and successfully pass all stages of the recruitment process—but are not selected for the initial vacancy—may be placed on this list for future openings.

The list may be used to invite candidates to participate in a selection interview for a future vacancy in the same classification / title (if there is one). The duration of the list depends on the applicable bargaining unit.

Qualifying Experience: Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part-time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.

Sponsorship: Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment-based immigration case).

LI-Hybrid