OC PUBLIC WORKS – Mitigation Program
OC Public Works is a unique County department comprised of 10 service areas, each of which directly impacts the quality of life for Orange County residents and the private sector. OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, cities, and other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to ensure quality of service today and quality of life tomorrow. OC Public Works’ core values are integrity, accountability, service and trust. In addition, our vision is to be a world class leader of innovative, professional and quality public works services. 

The Mitigation Program within the Environmental Resources Service Area of OC Public Works oversees the post-construction maintenance and monitoring of performance standards from OC Public Works Department/OC Flood Control District mitigation sites, which are established as compensatory mitigation for impacts from capital improvement projects and infrastructure maintenance. Compensatory mitigation is required for unavoidable impacts to the natural environment and habitats, and is achieved through the restoration, establishment, enhancement, and/or in certain circumstances preservation of natural habitats. Once a property is dedicated to mitigation, it must be maintained in a natural state in perpetuity.

OC WASTE & RECYCLING – CEQA/Habitat Compliance Group
OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is an organization dedicated to providing waste management services, protecting the environment, and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. OCWR operates three active regional landfills, four household hazardous waste collection centers, monitors 20 closed landfills, and administers municipal solid waste collection, recycling and planning for County unincorporated areas. OCWR is a nationally renowned waste management department responsible for a network of sanitary landfills. The Department is committed to its exceptional record of regulatory compliance and excellence. 
 
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Habitat Compliance Group within OCWR oversees the permitting, installation, maintenance and monitoring of performance standards of OCWR’s habitat mitigation sites, which are established as compensatory mitigation for impacts from landfill development, expansion, and operational activities. Compensatory mitigation is required for unavoidable impacts to the natural environment and habitats, and is achieved through the permitting, restoration, establishment, enhancement, and/or preservation of natural habitats, and the in-perpetuity maintenance and management of these mitigation sites. The CEQA and Habitat Compliance Group also ensures departmental compliance with CEQA and various other environmental regulations, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish & Game Code, Clean Water Act, and applicable Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP)/Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).

THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Public Works and OCWR are looking for senior-level regulatory and restoration biologists to support their respective habitat management and restoration programs.
 
The Senior Regulatory and Restoration Biologist for OC Public Works will provide biological and habitat restoration expertise in support of capital and maintenance improvement projects; advise on impact avoidance and minimization measures to sensitive plant and wildlife communities; and provide oversight of the mitigation and enhancement elements of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Flood Control Project in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino Flood Control Districts. The latter effort will include advising on the work plan associated with the Santa Ana Woolly Star Preserve Area Multi Species Habitat Management Plan.  
 
The Senior Regulatory and Restoration Biologist for OCWR will be a part of the CEQA and Habitat Compliance Group and will provide biological compliance and habitat restoration expertise for OCWR Landfills in support of landfill development and operations. The position will assist with permitting and regulatory coordination for new and ongoing mitigation projects associated with landfill development; provide oversight of installation, maintenance, management, and monitoring of new and existing habitat mitigation sites; prepare routine reports documenting habitat mitigation areas status as required by regulatory permits; review construction and operational plans and documents and advise on impact avoidance and minimization measures for adherence to all applicable biological permit conditions; train OCWR landfill staff in identifying and appropriate avoidance of native habitats and species in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or permits; evaluate seed and plant materials from vendors for use in mitigation areas; review documents and specifications prepared by contractors, consultants and vendors for compliance with BMPs; closely monitor every phase of construction at the landfill where assigned for compliance with biological permits and plans; create maps, exhibits, reports and presentations to inform decision makers, state and federal resource agency staff, including use of GIS or other aerial mapping software. This position may also assist with public outreach and assist with site tours.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidates will possess the minimum qualifications and have five (5) years of experience performing quantitative and/or qualitative surveys of the native plant communities of Southern California; possess knowledge of non-native and invasive plants; knowledge of local fish and wildlife, including local Endangered Species Act (ESA) and special-status species; and have regulatory permitting and agency consultation experience.  
 
These positions may manage or assist in managing a small program, unit or section or a departmentwide function or projects, may supervise or manage other staff and/or direct the efforts of staff who are not direct reports, including outside contractors.
 
In addition, the ideal candidate will also possess knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge | Core Competencies

• Knowledge of California native plants, native plant communities, non-native and invasive plants; and proper planting and irrigation techniques
• Knowledge of Southern California fish and wildlife species
• Interpret and understand federal, state, and local legislation, policies, regulations and issues that pertain to the assignment
• Preparation of informational, statistical, scientific, technical and compliance reports
• Knowledge of CEQA, federal and State Endangered Species Acts, California Coastal Act, California Fish and Game Code, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act
• Ability to operate and interpret topographic maps and aerial photographs
• Familiarity with construction drawings and specifications related to biological issues; standard habitat impact minimization and protection techniques
• Ability to read and comprehend technical documents and specifications  
• Resource agency negotiation, permitting and mitigation experience
• Field staff supervisory experience
• Contract management

Problem Solving and Analysis

• Identifies, researches, evaluates, estimates, accurately interprets and applies technical data and policy information
• Uses sound reasoning and logical judgment to arrive at conclusions and find alternative solutions to complex problems
• Effectively identifies and uses department resources to resolve issues
• Analyzes problems and adopts effective courses of action
• Uses sound judgment seeking out resources and/or consulting with others to gain and share information
• Proactively plans and aligns all undertakings with organizational vision
• Effectively manages competing priorities while meeting established deadlines
• Shows innovation and creativity with a solution focus

Effective Communication | Collaboration 

• Strong listening, verbal, and writing skills
• Ability to distill complex topics for a variety of audiences of varying levels of understanding
• Ability to supervise/manage other staff and/or direct the efforts of staff who are not direct reports, including outside contractors/consultants to meet project/program objectives
• Ability to communicate effectively using both technical and non-technical language with County staff (including other service areas and departments), contractors, and the public both verbally and in writing
• Maintain open and productive dialogue to facilitate resolutions, improvements and inclusion
• Present data, ideas and complex materials clearly, logically, concisely and persuasively both orally and in writing with management staff and project stakeholders
• Review and check documents for accuracy and quality of work and convey feedback and direction in an effective manner
• Promote open, candid information sharing across organizational boundaries

Resolution | Decision Making

• Conflict resolution in a positive and constructive manner
• Work independently and maintain flexibility among changing assignments and priorities
• Anticipate and minimize unexpected issues and situations by promptly resolving and addressing the issue and/or situation with evidence-based decision-making strategies.
• Accurately identify issues, impacts and solutions
• Implement/apply logical and creative thought processes in developing solutions according to written/oral specifications and/or instructions
• Effectively and efficiently produce results consistent with program objectives

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
By date of appointment, possession of a valid California Driver’s License, Class C or higher is required, which must be maintained throughout employment.
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
OC Public Works – Mitigation Program
The ideal candidate will have direct experience surveying, handling, and monitoring for one or more of the following species:

• Santa Ana woolly star (Eriastrum densifolium ssp. Sanctorum),
• slender-horned spineflower (Dodecahema leptoceras), 
• Santa Ana sucker (Catostomus santaanae),
• western pond turtle (Emys marmorata),
• least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus),
• southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus),
• coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) and/or
• San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the minimum qualifications and physical requirements for a Senior Environmental Resources Specialist. Please note, foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.)