Environmental Planner (Associate Flood Control Planner/Assistant Flood Control Planner)



Environmental Planner (Associate Flood Control Planner/Assistant Flood Control Planner)

Salary

$59,217.60 - $112,008.00 Annually

Location

Riverside

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

21-76617-02

Department

Flood Control

Division

Flood Control

Opening Date

07/29/2021

Closing Date

8/30/2021 11:59 PM Pacific

ABOUT THE POSITION


The County of Riverside’s Flood Control and Water Conservation District (Flood Control District) has multiple opportunities for an Environmental Planner. The positions will be filled at either the Assistant Flood Control Planner or Associate Flood Control Planner level. These positions will be assigned to the Regulatory division in Riverside. This job is akin to most traditional Environmental Planner positions.
 
The person in this position will have planning experience and will help the District with various responsibilities related to environmental compliance with multiple laws such as CEQA, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404 and California Fish & Game Code. In general the person will conduct and review technical analysis for flood control projects to assess their environmental impacts and will make recommendations on ways to mitigate those impacts while following state and federal environmental regulations and procedures.
 
The Flood Control District seeks applicants with strong analytical ability and technical writing skills, and a solid working knowledge of Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, etc.). Applicants must possess a minimum of two (2) years of professional environmental planning experience (Associate Planner), and a bachelor's degree in planning, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field such as, environmental studies, biology, urban/city/regional planning, hydrology, geology, geography, landscape architecture, archeology, anthropology, or other discipline that is associated with land use development (both levels).
 
The most competitive candidates will have experience with environmental laws and regulations, such as California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA); California Endangered Species Act; Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404; and/or California Department of Fish & Game Code. Competitive candidates will also possess experience preparing, reviewing, and coordinating the production of various environmental/technical reports such as biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, water quality and geotechnical and experience preparing or reviewing NEPA or CEQA environmental documents (i.e., EIR, MND, ND, NOE). Applicants with experience working on projects within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and/or Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan are highly desired.

The level and salary at which the position will be filled is at the Department's discretion and is based on candidate qualifications.

Meet the Team!
The mission of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District  is to “protect people and property from flooding through responsible and efficient storm water management.” In order to achieve this goal, the District has developed an explicit philosophy to “strive for excellence with integrity; earn respect of the public, other engineering organizations and policy makers; require accountability at all levels; accord respect, recognition and trust to all; maintain open communication at all levels; and effectively implement the District’s mission statement.”

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Prepare Requests for Proposal/Scope of Work for capital and maintenance projects; review consultant proposals/scope of work, budgets, and schedules and participate in selection of same.
 
 • Manage consultant progress and work product; provide technical guidance to personnel engaged in complex environmental review processes; review invoices for management approval; use technical knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental laws and regulations to facilitate capital project delivery.
 
 • Provide support and technical assistance to Project Managers of capital projects; participate in capital project delivery including attendance at stakeholder meetings and occasional public meetings.
 
 • Prepare or review CEQANEPA technical studies and documents; prepare CEQA compliance documents and notifications for routine maintenance and emergency repair projects.
 
 • Prepare applications and obtain 404 permits, 401 certification, and stream bed alteration agreements for construction and maintenance of flood control facilities by working closely with federal, state, and local resource agencies; work cooperatively with stakeholders, including cities, oversight agencies, and affected private developers.
 
 • Travel to project sites to gather data for existing conditions and impact analysis; analyze project data and formulate recommendations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Flood Control Planner
$28.47 - $42.16 Hourly
$4,935.06 - $7,308.17 Monthly
$59,220.72 - $87,698.00 Annually 

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in planning, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field such as, environmental studies, biology, urban/city/regional planning, hydrology, geology, geography, landscape architecture, archeology, anthropology, or other discipline that is associated with land use development.
______________________________________________________________________________
Associate Flood Control Planner
$36.37 - $53.85 Hourly
$6,303.75 - $9,333.13 Monthly
$75,645.02 - $111,997.60 Annually 

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in planning, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field such as, environmental studies, biology, urban/city/regional planning, hydrology, geology, geography, landscape architecture, archeology, anthropology, or other discipline that is associated with land use development.

A Master's degree in planning, public administration, biology, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental sciences, or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the non-specialized required experience.

Experience:
Two years of professional environmental planning experience.
______________________________________________________________________________

Both Levels

Knowledge of: Social, economic and environmental conditions which affect public works planning; research, analytical, and statistical methods applicable to public works planning; advanced methods, equipment, including computers, and techniques used in the preparation of planning reports; modern theories, current trends, general principles and practices of urban and public works planning; local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and standard practices; CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act (404, 401), ESA, California Fish and Game Code, and other applicable local, state and federal regulations and guidance (i.e.."Water of the US and the State" and Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans). 

Ability to:  Research, compile, analyze, and interpret data; communicate effectively orally and in writing in a variety of situations; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work; analyze complex planning problems, technical studies and documents, develop and evaluate alternative solutions, and recommend effective courses of action; analyze environmental impacts and make recommendations to minimize or avoid these impacts; conduct biological site surveys; prepare technical environmental reports and comply with federal, state, and local laws.

Desirable Experience:
Experience in environmental compliance with laws and regulations, such as California Environmental Quality Act; Federal Endangered Species Act; California Endangered Species Act; Clean Water Act (Sections 401 and 404); AB52, and/or California Department of Fish & Game Code.  

Experience preparing or reviewing NEPA or CEQA environmental documents (i.e., Environmental Impact Report, Mitigated Negative Declaration, Negative Declaration, Notice of Exemption).  

Experience with regulatory permits from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards and US Army Corps of Engineers.

Experience working on projects within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and/or Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

Experience preparing, reviewing, and coordinating the production of various environmental/technical reports such as biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, water quality and geotechnical.

Experience with habitat restoration and/or habitat mitigation monitoring plan preparation or implementation.  

Experience working for or consulting to public agencies, especially those related to flood control and other infrastructure projects.  

Knowledge and experience utilizing GIS software/programs.

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.

License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Veterans’ Preference
The County of Riverside has a Veteran’s Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse’s) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse’s letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans’ preference.

Degree Verification:
Prior to the closing date, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). 

What's Next:
This recruitment is open to all applicants. Applicants who are current employees of Flood and Water Conservation District may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received. Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. No late applications will be permitted.

Applicants who fail to provide information demonstrating they possess the position requirements may not be considered further in the application process. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered. Based on the number of applications received, this posting may be extended, or close without notice. Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com. A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here.

MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT:  County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

  • Tier I (Classic Member – Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
  • Tier II (Classic Member – Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
  • Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

  1. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
  2. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
  3. A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

 

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law.  The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change.  If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0 < 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)

4 < 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)

10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

01
If offered the position, would you be able to obtain a valid California Driver License?
  • Yes
  • No
  • I already have a valid California Driver License
02
I acknowledge that: 1) I have read and understand the information contained on the job posting for the positions to which I am applying. 2) My answers to the job application questions must reflect the education and/or work experience in the application.
  • Yes
  • No
03
Do you possess a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in planning, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field such as, environmental studies, biology, urban/city/regional planning, hydrology, geology, geography, landscape architecture, archeology, anthropology, or other discipline that is associated with land use development?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Select the response that describes your qualifying experience and education.
  • I possess a Bachelors degree in one of the fields listed in the previous question, AND at least two (2) years of professional environmental planning experience.
  • I possess a Master's degree in planning, public administration, biology, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental sciences, or a closely related field AND one (1) year of professional environmental planning experience.
  • Neither
05
Are you a current regular, part time, temporary, per diem, or seasonal employee with Riverside County?
  • Yes
  • No
06
Are you a current regular, part time, temporary, per diem, or seasonal employee with the Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District?
  • Yes
  • No
07
What is the highest level of education you have completed from an accredited college or university?
  • None
  • Less than an Associate's Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher
08
How would you rate your competency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook?
  • No experience
  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
09
How many years of responsible professional planning experience do you possess?
  • None
  • Less than twelve months.
  • One year or more, but less than two years.
  • Two years or more, but less than three years.
  • Three years or more, but less than four years.
  • Four years or more, but less than five years.
  • Five years or more.
10
How many years of experience do you possess working in environmental compliance with laws and regulations, such as California Environmental Quality Act; Federal Endangered Species Act; California Endangered Species Act; Clean Water Act (Section 404 and 404)?
  • None
  • Less than twelve months.
  • One year or more, but less than two years.
  • Two years or more, but less than three years.
  • Three years or more, but less than four years.
  • Four years or more, but less than five years.
  • Five years or more.
11
Describe your experience preparing, reviewing, and coordinating the production of various environmental/technical reports such as biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, and water quality.
  • I have not had experience, education, or training in this area.
  • I have performed this activity on the job under close supervision.
  • I have performed this activity on the job, independently on a regular basis.
  • In addition to independently performing this activity as a regular part of my job, I have supervised and/or trained others in this area.
12
Describe your experience preparing or reviewing NEPA or CEQA environmental documents (i.e., EIR, MND, ND, NOE).
  • I have not had experience, education, or training in this area.
  • I have performed this activity on the job under close supervision.
  • I have performed this activity on the job, independently on a regular basis.
  • In addition to independently performing this activity as a regular part of my job, I have supervised and/or trained others in this area.
13
Do you have experience working on projects within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and/or Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan are highly desired?
  • Yes
  • No
14
In what field of study did you receive your Bachelors Degree in?

Required Question

Agency
County of Riverside
Address
County Admin. Center P.O. Box 1569
4080 Lemon St., 7th floor
Riverside, California, 92502-1569
Phone
(951) 955-3500