Regulatory and Environmental Planner (Associate Flood Control Planner) - Riverside County, CA : Job Details

Salary : $82,604.37 - $127,866.09 Annually Location : Riverside Job Type: Regular Job Number: 25-76617-02 Department: Flood Control Division: Flood Control Opening Date: 05/29/2025 Closing Date: Continuous ABOUT THE POSITION Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately to receive priority consideration. 1st Round Interviews will be held June 18, 2025.Recruitment will remain open until positions are filled. The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has multiple openings for Regulatory and Environmental Planners (Associate Flood Control Planners). These positions are assigned to the Regulatory Division in Riverside and are comparable to traditional Environmental Planner roles. 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 conducting field surveys; performing and reviewing technical analyses for flood control projects to assess environmental impacts; 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, technical reports, hydrology and hydraulics studies, drainage plans, and development proposals. To learn more about the position or the Regulatory Division at the District, Meet the Team! The Riverside County 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 •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 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) technical studies and documents; prepare CEQA compliance documents and notifications for Capital Improvement, Developer, Partner-Led, Routine Maintenance and/or 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 property sites and surrounding areas to gather data, such as habitat assessment; analyze collected case or project data and formulate recommendations. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, environmental engineering, biology (wildlife-related), ecology, planning, hydrology, geology, geography, environmental sciences, landscape architecture, archeology, anthropology or a closely related field. Applicants from other academic backgrounds may also be considered if their experience clearly demonstrates a strong understanding of environmental planning. A Master's 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 responsible professional environmental planning experience. Other Requirements: License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required. This position involves travel to various locations throughout the county to conduct field surveys and site visits. Physical Requirements: The position requires the 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. 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 state and federal regulations and guidance; Water of the US and the State and Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans. Ability to: 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; 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. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Open to All Applicants This recruitment is open to all applicants. Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received. Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County. For questions regarding this recruitment Contact Vanessa Diaz-Beaird at [email protected] with any questions regarding this recruitment. APPLICATION INFORMATIONVeteran's Preference The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 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. The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: 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: 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 () or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (). 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, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, 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 [email protected] or toll-free 1-855-###-####. 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 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 or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) ###-####, Option 2. If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) ###-#### 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: 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 Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

04 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

05 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

06 Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, environmental engineering, biology (wildlife-related), ecology, planning, hydrology, geology, geography, environmental sciences, landscape architecture, archeology, anthropology or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

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

• Yes
• No

08 How many years of professional experience do you possess in environmental planning ?

• 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

09 How many years of experience do you possess working in environmental compliance with laws and regulations, 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?

• 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

10 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)

• None
• 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)

11 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

12 Do you possess 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?

• Yes
• No

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

• Yes
• No

Required Question