Environmental Specialist Sr

Environmental Specialist Sr

Salary

$64,417.60 - $80,516.80 Annually

Location

700 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

26-10733

Department

TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Opening Date

06/26/2026

Closing Date

7/10/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

The Operational Sustainability team focuses on waste diversion, climate action, and sustainability initiatives geared towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions for Travis County as an organization.

We are currently seeking a self-motivated, qualified Environmental Specialist Sr. to manage vendor contracts and budgets, lead our education and outreach efforts and waste diversion initiatives, and assist the Program Manager and Planner Sr. with other project work related to the program goals.

The Environmental Specialist Sr. will administer over 20 vendor contracts and manage related project funding. The position will be the primary liaison for all contracted services and will work closely with vendors and Travis County Purchasing and Finance offices. This role will lead all internal education and outreach efforts related to waste diversion, climate planning, and other sustainability initiatives. This position will also have a supporting role in the program's waste diversion efforts and event planning. The Environmental Specialist Sr. will be critical to the program's mission of moving the County towards greener, more sustainable business practices.

Work includes contract and budget management, relationship building, and leading, planning and implementing education and outreach efforts throughout the organization. This position will also work with staff to support the program's waste diversion initiatives and event planning.

Requirements will include strong written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to educate diverse groups of stakeholders. Knowledge of waste diversion methods and climate action planning is preferred. This position may also be required to present information to elected officials and will sit on select committees. The Operational Sustainability Program offers flexible work hours, a mix of office and field work, as well as teleworking options.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This position may support one or more of the following program areas: Hazardous materials management, hazardous waste management and cleanup, pesticide use and management, household hazardous waste and other special wastes; Solid waste management, recycling, responsible purchasing; Storm water management, erosion and sedimentation controls; Water quality monitoring, assessment, regulation, compliance and policy; Air quality monitoring, assessment regulation, compliance and policy; Land acquisition in support of endangered species protection or other natural resources program; Grant development and administration; Environmental policy and legislative analysis; and Compliance and civil enforcement across multiple program areas. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, performs duties of and/or administers a group of countywide natural resource and environmental quality programs or a single program that require a high level of technical skill, specialized knowledge, or expertise as reflected by an accredited certification or extensive experience. Includes planning, carrying out and evaluating projects and activities in support of the programs. Manages multiple projects, contracts and activities consistent with authorized scope, schedule and budget.
• Coordinates efforts with contractors, department staff, other departments and agencies, the regulated community, stakeholders and the general public. Serves as departmental liaison for the designated programs.
• Analyzes and interprets Federal, State and Local environmental regulations. Recommends, develops and implements procedures and projects consistent with environmental regulations. Makes recommendations on compliance to the department and the regulated community.
• Prepares cost estimates, plans and specifications for outside goods or services within the designated areas of program specialization. Prepares request for proposals, assists in contract negotiations with outside vendors and manages approved contracts. Develops purchase requests for supplies and services required for assigned programs and projects. Assists with development of grant proposals, applications, and contracts for services with other agencies as sources for additional funding.
• Analyzes, evaluates and presents data, maintain databases and prepares written reports. Presents findings and reports to department staff and management, other agencies, the Commissioners Court and the public.
• Conducts education and outreach to the general public by participating in information meetings, trainings, and conferences to explain issues related to the programs goals. Represents the department by working closely with groups, community members and organization representatives.
• Conducts advanced level technical inspections, analyses and or investigations.
• Specific to grants area of specialization: Administers preparation and submission of grant applications for new and continued funding of programs through Federal, State, Local and County sources, including maintaining grant accurate records and prepare monthly reports of progress, monitoring contractual compliance, reviews projects, coordinates efforts between funding agencies, and schedules items for approval.
• Specific to grants area of specialization: Identifies funding sources, develops projects and writes grant proposals. Communicates and meets with funding agencies, and assists with taking the application through the approval process. Responds to information requests.
• Serves on committees and task forces dealing with environmental or grants issues.
• Reviews projects in the Natural Resources and Environmental Quality programs. Reviews project operations to ensure timely submission of progress reports.
• Supports civil enforcement, as required.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Technical Writing or a directly related field AND three (3) years experience the program specialization areas listed above;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Drivers License.

Depending on assigned duties, may require certification in the designated specialty field such as: International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification, International Erosion Control Association (IECA) certification (e.g. Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, CPESC), Pest Control Applicator License, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), or Certified Grant Management Specialist as recognized by the National Grants Management Association.

Preferred:

Fluent in Spanish

Experience working in a leadership role

Understanding of waste diversion, climate action, and sustainability initiatives

Knowledge of contract administration and program budgeting

Experience in education and outreach and event planning

HAZWOPER Certified

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Grant guidelines, procedures and of funding agencies. (Specific to grants area of specialization)
• Grant technical writing, project management, and environmental specifications. (Specific to grants area of specialization)
• Standard theory, principles, practices and techniques of environmental and natural resource protection.
• Scientific principles and techniques related the assigned area of environmental specialization.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable environmental laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• General aptitude in mathematics or accounting.
• Principles, practices and techniques of project management, and environmental specifications.
• Research and data analysis techniques.
• Principles of data and document management.
• Computer equipment and software to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages including geographic information systems.
• Technical writing, report writing and preparation, business letter writing, grammar and punctuation.

Skill in:

• Use of biological monitoring, environmental assessment, and wildlife control equipment and instruments. Use of field techniques appropriate to the areas of specialization.
• Data analysis.
• Geographic Information Systems, including the ability to:
• create maps and graphs, using GIS software and related equipment;
• compile geographic data from a variety of sources which may include census, field observation, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps;
• retrieve stored maps, manage shape files and other GIS data;
• Data management techniques.
• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Research, plan and coordinate grant related activities.
• Write policies and procedures.
• Manage time well, perform and prioritize multiple tasks, organize diverse activities, develop and implement environmental research and projects.
• Meet deadlines and produce projects in a timely manner while working on several projects at once.
• Work as a team member within a diverse organization.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
• Effectively present information to management and public groups.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, standing, walking/hiking (some rough terrain), carrying, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. May work in extreme temperature/weather change/conditions, and smoke on prescribed or wild fires. Maybe subject to contact with dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable/infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: 700 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701

Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Victoria.Besa@traviscountytx.gov

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union

Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit

Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program

Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations

Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic

Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays

An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance

Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity

Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employees fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking

A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays

Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January - March

3 personal holidays

April - June

2 personal holidays

July - September

1 personal holiday

October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement

Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave

Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave

Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund

Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation

Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period

6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period

11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period

16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period

21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers Compensation

The county provides all employees workers compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

01

How many years experience do you have working on sustainability initiatives for an organization, including waste diversion and climate planning?

• Less than one
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 years or more

02

How many years of experience do you have doing education and outreach?

• Less than one
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 years or more

03

How many years of experience do you have working in a leadership role?

• Less than one
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 years or more

04

Do you have experience preparing digital educational materials? If yes, please describe your experience and whether you have worked with PowerPoint, Canva or other similar platforms.

05

Please describe your experience working with contracts and program budgets.

06

Please describe any role you've had with event planning.

Required Question

Employer Travis County

Address 700 Lavaca Street

Austin, Texas, 78701

Website https://www.traviscountytx.gov/human-resources/jobs