Associate Environmental Specialist (Regulatory and Environmental Planner)

Associate Environmental Specialist (Regulatory and Environmental Planner)

Salary

$86,740.16 - $132,980.74 Annually

Location

Riverside

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

26-76617-03

Department

Flood Control

Division

Flood Control

Opening Date

09/03/2026

Closing Date

9/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District seeks an Regulatory and Environmental Planner (Associate Environmental Specialist). This position is assigned to the Regulatory Division in Riverside and is comparable to traditional Environmental Planner roles.

To learn more about this position click here to view a video.

Individuals in this role will have prior planning experience and will support the District with a broad range of responsibilities related to environmental compliance under laws such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Clean Water Act, the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, and the California Fish and Game Code. Key duties include performing and reviewing technical analyses for flood control projects to assess environmental impacts; conducting field survey; and recommending appropriate mitigation measures in accordance with applicable environmental regulations and procedures.

Additional responsibilities include preparing and reviewing environmental documents (e.g., CEQA analyses), as well as regulatory permit applications under Sections 404, 401, and 1600. Associate Regulatory and Environmental Planners may also be tasked with developing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), overseeing consultant deliverables, and coordinating with internal divisions and external agencies at the local, state, federal, or tribal level. This role also involves providing technical support to Project Managers and mentoring Assistant or Junior level staff.

The ideal candidate will have experience serving as a project manager or task lead in a similar role at an environmental or engineering focused consulting firm or within a public works or land use/planning agency, and a background in preparing or reviewing technical studies, including NEPA or CEQA environmental documents (e.g., Environmental Impact Reports, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Negative Declarations, Notices of Exemption). Experience in preparing, reviewing, or negotiating regulatory permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is highly desirable. Familiarity with projects located within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and/or the Coachella Valley MSHCP is also preferred.

The most competitive candidates will demonstrate a solid understanding of the principles and practices of urban and environmental planning, flood control, and land development. They should have experience interpreting and implementing relevant environmental laws and regulations, including CEQA, the National Historic Preservation Act, Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52), the Federal and California Endangered Species Acts, the Clean Water Act (Sections 401 and 404), and the California Fish and Game Code. Strong analytical, report-writing, project/task management and verbal communication skills are essential, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.). Candidates should also be capable of reading and interpreting environmental documents and technical reports (Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports, biological resources reports, cultural resources reports, etc.), hydrology and hydraulics studies, drainage plans, and development proposals.

Track II - Regulatory and Environmental Planning:

Positions assigned to the Regulatory Division ensure compliance with environmental regulations related to long-range planning, facility design and construction, maintenance and repair projects, and developing and managing mitigation sites/conservation lands. Incumbents apply regulatory requirements pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, California Fish and Game Code Section 1600, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, and the Western Riverside County and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCPs). Incumbents in this track assist with CEQA compliance, species and habitat management, regulatory permitting acquisition, negotiation and compliance, prepare or review environmental documents and technical studies, and coordinate with internal staff, public agencies, consultants, and other stakeholders as needed to ensure effective project delivery.

To learn more about the position or the Regulatory Division at the District, here.

Meet The Team!

The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District provides for the control and conservation of flood and storm waters and for the protection of watercourses, watersheds, public highways, life and property from damage within its boundaries.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Track II - Regulatory and Environmental Planning:

• Utilize technical knowledge of environmental laws and regulations to support long-range planning, capital project development, facility operations and maintenance, and developing and managing mitigation sites/conservation lands.
• Work closely with civil engineers to recommend design alternatives that avoid, minimize and/or mitigate environmental impacts, including impacts to jurisdictional waters.
• Participate in project development meetings, stakeholder discussions, and occasional public meetings to support capital project delivery.
• Analyze and prepare environmental documents and technical studies for CEQA/NEPA compliance, regulatory permitting, and MSHCP consistency.
• Perform technical analysis and develop solutions to avoid, minimize and/or mitigate environmental impacts.
• Assist with AB52 Tribal consultations and related agreements and mitigation efforts.
• Draft and negotiate permit applications, including CWA Section 404 and CWA Section 401 certifications and California Fish and Game Code 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreements.
• Prepare RFPs for environmental consulting services; review consultant proposals, budgets and schedules; support consultant selection and oversee consultant deliverables and invoices.
• Provide technical oversight for complex environmental review and recommend adaptive management solutions as needed.
• Collaborate with internal staff, public agencies, consultants, non-profits, developers, and the public to ensure compliance and project delivery.
• Lead or participate in field surveys, site assessments, and habitat, species, and nesting bird surveys to evaluate impacts and guide project planning, construction, maintenance, and mitigation site/ conservation lands management.
• Support staff training and development to advance District environmental programs and goals

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree, preferably with a major in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, urban or environmental planning, biological or ecological sciences, geography, archeology, hydrology, geology, chemistry, civil engineering, or a closely related field.

A Masters degree in planning, public administration, biology (wildlife-related), 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-level experience in one or more of the following areas: Environmental planning, regulatory compliance or natural resources management, or environmental engineering. (Experience working for or consulting to a public works agency is highly desirable.)

Desired qualifications include 5 years of:

• Experience preparing or reviewing technical studies, CEQA environmental documents (i.e., Environmental Impact Report, Mitigated Negative Declaration, Negative Declaration, Notice of Exemption).
• Experience with preparing, reviewing or negotiating regulatory permits from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards and US Army Corps of Engineers.
• Experience working on projects located within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and/or Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

Knowledge of: Knowledge of: Local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and standard practices, such as CEQA, NEPA, FESA, CESA, AB-52, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish and Game Code Section 1600 et seq., Waters of the State and Water of the U.S., Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, and the Western Riverside County and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCPs); basic principles of water resource management, and social, economic and environmental conditions which affect public works planning general principles and practices.

Ability to: Conduct site assessments and site reconnaissance; research, compile, analyze, and interpret environmental quality data; analyze environmental impacts and make recommendations to minimize or avoid impacts and comply with federal, state, and local laws; 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, and develop alternative solutions.

Other Requirements:

License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Drivers License is required. This position involves travel to various locations throughout the county to conduct field surveys and site visits.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk over uneven outdoor terrain and work in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Candidates must be able to tolerate exposure to weather elements and local wildlife while performing field duties.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Application Status

How to confirm your application was received or check on the status of your application, log-in to www.GovernmentJobs.com, click on your name in the upper right corner, and click on "Applications & Status."

Sign Up for Job Alerts

Go to www.RC-HR.com, click on "Careers," click on "County Job Openings," and click on "Subscribe to Job Alerts" icon.

General Information

If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Angela Tavaglione at tavaglione@rivco.org or (951) 966-3590. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.

____

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veterans Preference

The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouses) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouses death certificate, a letter of spouses disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veterans Administration. 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. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Work Location and Telework

In-person attendance is the standard work expectation for County of Riverside assignments. Certain assignments may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule; however, telework arrangements are subject to management approval, operational needs, and/or may be modified or discontinued at any time. Employees who telework are expected to be able to report to their assigned worksite on short notice or as operational needs require. Unless otherwise specified for a particular position, employees are expected to reside in California following appointment. Limited exceptions may apply. Applicants should contact the assigned recruiter for additional information regarding work location expectations, telework eligibility, and residency requirements.

Proof of Education

If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

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).

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period

As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information

Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the Apply link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veterans preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com.

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

BENEFIT PROGRAM: SEI

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. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 theres 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:

Employees contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI), which provides wage replacement benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. SDI also includes Paid Family Leave Benefits. The wage replacement rate is determined by current law, offering 60-70% of the wages earned during the SDI eligibility period.

Additionally, employees receive employer-paid Long-Term Disability Benefits, which cover 66.67% of pre-disability earnings, up to a maximum of $10,000 per month. There is a 365-day waiting period before these benefits become active. Employees may coordinate these benefits with other available leave balances to receive up to 100% of their regular pay.

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

Are you a current regular or temporary employee with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District?

• Yes
• No

02

I understand the physical requirements of this position as stated in the job posting, and I am willing and able to perform these duties with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid California Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

04

I acknowledge that I am required to provide proof of my degree or a copy of my transcript(s) as verification of educational units completed prior to the closing date of the job posting. (Official and unofficial transcripts will be accepted. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation.)

• Yes
• No

05

What is the highest level of education you have from an accredited college or university environmental studies, environmental engineering, biology (wildlife-related), ecology, planning, hydrology, geology, geography, environmental sciences, landscape architecture, archeology, anthropology or a closely related field?

• None of these
• I have my Associates degree
• I have my Bachelors degree
• I have my Masters degree
• I have my Doctorate degree

06

How many years of professional-level experience do you have in Environmental planning, regulatory compliance or natural resources management.? (Include details on your resume/application)

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2
• 2 years or more, but less than 3
• 3 years or more, but less than 4
• 4 years or more, but less than 5
• 5 years or more, but less than 6
• 6 years or more

07

How many years of experience do you have working for or consulting to a public works agency? (Include details on your resume/application)

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2
• 2 years or more, but less than 3
• 3 years or more, but less than 4
• 4 years or more, but less than 5
• 5 years or more, but less than 6
• 6 years or more

08

Do you possess a foundational understanding of CEQA, the Clean Water Act (Sections 401 and 404), the Endangered Species Acts, California Fish and Game Code, the National Historic Preservation Act, and Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52)? (Please select all that apply) (Please select all that apply)

• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Clean Water Act (Sections 401 and 404)
• Endangered Species Acts
• California Fish and Game Code
• National Historic Preservation Act
• Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52)
• None

09

Do you possess experience in preparing or reviewing technical studies, including NEPA or CEQA environmental documents (e.g., Environmental Impact Reports, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Negative Declarations, Notices of Exemption)?

• Yes
• No

10

Have you completed projects located within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and/or the Coachella Valley MSHCP?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you possess a Masters degree in planning, public administration, biology (wildlife-related), chemistry, civil engineering, environmental sciences, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Riverside

Address County Admin. Center P.O. Box 1569

4080 Lemon St., 7th floor

Riverside, California, 92502-1569

Phone Contact Recruiter for Job Information

Website http://www.rc-hr.com