Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! We offer an array of meaningful career paths and value flexibility – offering hybrid work and alternative work schedules in select roles. Additionally, the City offers excellent health and pension benefits, as well as 15 paid holidays!
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About the Division(s)
NOTE: ESD intends to use the candidate pool developed from this recruitment to fill all current vacancies, as well as any future vacancies that may occur in the coming months throughout the entire department. Descriptions of teams that have Environmental Inspectors are below.
Watershed Protection Division (WSP):
The Watershed Protection (WSP) Division provides services that support the City's efforts to protect water quality in local creeks and the Bay. These services are integral to the City's management of both wastewater and stormwater. The Watershed Protection Division is comprised of nearly 90 employees with four key functions: Stormwater Management, Environmental Enforcement, Industrial Pretreatment, and Emergency Preparedness & Real Estate.
The Watershed Division’s key functions and their related work groups for these positions are described below:
WSP: PRETREATMENT PROGRAM
Source Control –This group is responsible for implementing the Pretreatment Program for industrial discharges to the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (Facility). The program is required by the Facility's NPDES permit and is aimed at ensuring that certain dischargers have adequate treatment of wastewater discharges prior to discharge in order to protect the integrity of the wastewater collection system, Facility treatment system, and Facility discharges to the Bay. On an annual basis, this group inspects approximately 350 businesses, collects more than 1,900 water quality samples, reviews more than 900 self-monitoring reports, and conducts surveillance monitoring.
Environmental Engineering – This group, which includes Sanitary Engineers and Environmental Inspectors, provides engineering and technical support to the Pretreatment Program. This work group's responsibilities include issuing and renewing approximately 100 Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permits annually, performing Plan Checks for industrial facilities within the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility's service area, and developing procedures and policy documents in support of Watershed Protection programs among other technical support roles.
WSP: ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
Construction/Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination –This group is responsible for inspecting active construction sites in San José for compliance with local ordinances and implementation of best management practices that protect stormwater quality, the storm sewer system, creeks, and the Bay. This group also responds to and investigates complaints of discharges into the City’s storm sewer collection system. This group often coordinates with other City departments and outside regulatory agencies during spill response and cleanup. This program is required under the City's Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP).
Industrial/Commercial Stormwater Enforcement –This group is responsible for inspecting commercial and industrial businesses in San José for compliance with local ordinances and implementation of best management practices that protect stormwater quality, the storm sewer system, creeks, and the Bay. This program is required under the City's Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP). This program provides detailed inspections of more than 8,000 commercial and industrial facilities in San José.
Fats, Oils, and Grease, and Sewer Investigations –This group is responsible for an inspection program focused on Commercial food service establishments with an emphasis on controls for Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG). This program is required under the City’s Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). This program provides detailed inspections of more than 4,000 food service establishments in San José.
Stormwater Treatment Measures Postconstruction Compliance –This group is responsible for inspecting nearly 4,000 public and private stormwater treatment measures installed throughout San José to ensure that they are operating and maintained in good working order. These devices capture and treat stormwater before it is infiltrated into the native soil or discharged into the storm sewer system for certain new and redevelopment projects. In addition, this group inspects Private Land Drainage Areas for trash load reduction and will begin conducting investigations and abatement of specific properties with higher levels of PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls. This program is required under the City's Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP).
Integrated Waste Management Division (IWM):
Enforcement Team –The Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Division leads one of the largest and most advanced solid waste management systems in the United States through creativity and innovation. Division staff collaborate with other City departments and establish strong partnerships with private companies, other government agencies, nonprofits, and the community on a variety of key efforts. Work with a great team and learn new skills that contribute to the bigger purpose of protecting the environment at a local level.
This position is a municipal code enforcement field position that conducts face-to-face educational and compliance visits with commercial businesses, apartment buildings, and single-family houses with the goal of supporting proper organics, recyclables, and garbage management. Inspectors work in conjunction with the solid waste haulers, city staff, and other parties to ensure proper solid waste storage, use of authorized solid waste haulers, proper setout of solid waste containers, and other regulations that improve the health, safety, and environment within the City of San Jose.
Position Duties
Job Classification Overview – Environmental Inspectors I/II:
Environmental Inspectors conduct a variety of compliance inspections and investigation duties to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations. They interpret and enforce regulations by assessing environmental data, reviewing self-monitoring reports, performing inspections, and overseeing specialized compliance assessments and investigations. Environmental Inspectors prepare a variety of technical and regulatory reports and maintain program records.
The Environmental Inspector classification includes two levels: Environmental Inspector I & Environmental Inspector II. Depending on your qualifications (see Minimum Qualifications below), the application you submit may be considered for an Environmental Inspector I or II position.
Salary Ranges
Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. Salary ranges for these classifications are:
- Environmental Inspector I: $91,374.40 – $110,947.20
- Environmental Inspector II: $100,755.20 – $122,470.40