Environmental Specialist (5303C) - #83874

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) mission is to provide guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast paced, committed organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community. We are comprised of many scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, working in an evolving, learning, and sometimes challenging environment with a unified goal of supporting the University's mission of teaching, research and public service. EH&S strives to be an inclusive, service oriented, and operationally excellent organization and is seeking highly motivated individuals who want to learn, be creative, seek continuous competency development, and contribute to our mission.

For more information, visit http://ehs.berkeley.edu

Position Summary

The Environmental Specialist implements environmental compliance and monitoring programs to protect the environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, specifically storm and sanitary sewer systems.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 02/06/2026. This position is open until filled.

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and monitors campus, systems, procedures, and training in the environmental protection discipline. Primary program area responsibility: Water Quality Programs

• Maintains campus permits, submits permit applications and revisions as necessary. Submits related reports and annual updates; assists with payment of permit invoices.
• Maintains compliance with all state and local regulations (i.e. EBMUD, SWRCB) related to sanitary sewer management.
• Responsible for implementation and updates to current sanitary sewer management programs.
• Develops management practices and procedures as required to prevent prohibited discharges to the sanitary sewer.
• Responds to emergency events related to sanitary sewer overflows and slug discharges.
• Prepares and updates guidelines for drain disposal of chemicals from laboratories and physical plant operations, and develops procedures to minimize hazardous waste generation.
• Provides drain disposal guidance to campus clients, tracks drain disposal inquiries and maintains compliance with campus Wastewater Permit and EBMUD Ordinance 311.
• Serves as campus liaison with city, state and federal regulators, including inspectors, engineers, source control and enforcement personnel.
• Other environmental compliance programs as needed.

Monitors compliance and serves as campus liaison with city, state, and federal regulators, including inspectors, engineers, source control, and enforcement personnel.

• Develops and implements a campus wide Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP); maintains NPDES permit coverage from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).
• Serves as lead regulatory contact for campus on surface water regulatory compliance, including permit compliance, inspections, and written reports. Performs planning, program development, and training to comply with laws and regulations pertaining to storm water pollutant sources.
• Tracks compliance metrics and supervises preparation of annual reports for submittal to the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).
• Assists campus departments to obtain appropriate permits from various local city, county, regional and state entities.

Performs technical work related to environmental protection programs, including:

• Provides technical guidance and regulatory assistance to other EH&S Specialists and staff in other campus units
• Using GIS software; creates maps and related graphic-based information tools to assist the Environmental and Hazardous Materials Management programs.
• Serves as construction support and backup as necessary; includes providing technical guidance to project managers and contractors in related environmental regulations.
• Designs new and/or recommends improvements to existing processes and procedures.
• Develops and maintains a program to conduct internal audits for campus environmental programs
• Maintains environmental protection compliance calendar, tracking important regulatory deadlines and requirements to mitigate risks to the University
• Develops strategies to comply with new or modified regulations in a manner that both ensure compliance and maximize use of limited campus resources.
• Creates and adjusts methodologies to meet changing regulatory and scientific environment.

Monitors compliance and may serve as campus liaison with regulatory agencies.

• Serves as campus liaison with city, state and federal regulators, including inspectors, engineers, source control and enforcement personnel.
• Inspects, investigates incidents and complaints, and recommends corrective action as needed.
• Drafts reports and other documentation, including use of relevant scientific data.
• Conducts soil, air, and water sampling and/or monitoring related to environmental programs.
• Drives university vehicles in fulfillment of job responsibilities.

Performs outreach and communication to campus within relevant field.

• Conducts training of staff in departments with regulatory obligations, and develops informational, and educational outreach documents for targeted campus personnel. Assists with training program development as requested.
• Assist with website updates for environmental protection programs; utilizes appropriate communication to effectively outreach to audiences.
• Within specific field maintains knowledge on existing/proposed changes in all regulations; interprets and applies relevant laws, regulations, codes and standards, including making recommendations for work environment changes based on interpretations and principles of professional practices.

EH&S Staff Development:

• Works on professional committees and assignments, participates in professional training and attends relevant conferences, and/or is mentored or coached on a formal or informal basis.

Member of Designated Spill Response Team (Regular rotation, 24/7, every 6-8th week or more frequently as needed.)

• Provide technical support to the Dedicated Spill Response Team (DSRT) program by serving as a "Designated Responder". Must be accessible via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during business hours. Will perform directly or coordinate any necessary field activities to evaluate and mitigate a hazard.
• Provide technical support to the DSRT program by serving as the "Lead Off-Hours Responder". Must be accessible by UCPD via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during non-business hours. Must be within one hour of campus and may not engage in activity that will affect the ability to respond.
• To serve as a designated responder, incumbent must meet the specific requirements of the DSRT program as outlined in the EH&S DSRT Program Guidelines. These include occupational physical qualifications. Medical baseline is required.

EH&S Emergency Response:

• At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC Administration/ Research, UCPD Chief, or designated alternate), serve in a designate role within the EH&S Emergency Support Function and be on call to the campus Emergency Operations Center in a campus designated disaster or campus hazardous material release/threatened release. Provide appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.

Training

• Completes and maintains compliance on campus/systemwide training requirements, as well as any training necessary per role.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge/understanding of specific EH&S field(s) including related laws and regulations; and general knowledge/understanding of all EH&S fields.
• Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.
• Required knowledge of appropriate regulations pertaining to surface water quality, wastewater quality, groundwater quality, and hazardous materials management.
• Demonstrated experience in wastewater disposal determinations, and environmental (water, soil or other matrix) sampling and analysis techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in obtaining regulatory guidance, procedure writing, program development, and report writing.
• Demonstrated success in public outreach and community relations.
• Demonstrated experience in directing field sampling, including knowledge of use of field monitoring equipment, data loggers, and standard environmental sampling procedures.
• Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen and skill to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within time and budget constraints.
• Strong skill to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Website management experience.
• Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) or Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) certification.

Governing Laws and Regulations

• Familiarity with federal, state and local laws and regulations and UC Berkeley policies and procedures guide incumbent's responsibilities. The incumbent will interpret technical environmental regulations and guidelines that govern educational institutions in the areas of hazardous materials and wastes; surface wastewater discharges (storm and non-storm water), hazard communication, and risk assessment. Responsibilities, including permits, may be required by laws and regulations administered by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Department of Fish and Game, Army Corps of Engineers, US EPA, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Air Resources Board, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, EBMUD, and/or local CUPAs.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $82,800.00 - $116,300.00, commensurate with experience.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

• Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

• Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.