Salary: $79,393.60 - $106,392.00 Annually
Location : City of Watsonville, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works & Utilities
Location: 530 Wastewater Treatment Plant
Opening Date: 10/26/2026
Closing Date: 11/13/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
The ideal candidate will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations under 40 CFR Part 403, including the general pretreatment regulations for existing and new sources of pollution.The candidate will possess a strong working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local requirements governing wastewater pretreatment, hazardous waste management and disposal, and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) compliance.The successful candidate will be skilled in supporting interagency and cross-functional collaboration, working effectively with internal departments, regulatory agencies, municipalities, permittees, and other external stakeholders. This position will contribute to regulatory compliance, program implementation, enforcement and monitoring activities, and the advancement of wastewater pretreatment program objectives.Candidates who do not currently possess the required California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Environmental Compliance Inspector Grade I certification may be considered provided they obtain the certification within the first 12 months of employment, in accordance with the applicable probationary period. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the certification requirement.
Under general supervision, inspects and monitors industrial and commercial waste water sources for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; inspects pretreatment facilities, including but not limited to, grease traps, interceptors, storm catch basins, storm outfalls, and clarifiers to ensure proper operation, maintenance,
and compliance. Collects samples and operates and maintains sampling equipment. Assists with audits of activities and programs; and performs other work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:Inspects and monitors facilities discharging toxic, hazardous, and industrial wastes; communicates effectively and tactfully with representatives; prepares accurate reports and written correspondence. With staff support, this position safely and accurately measures flows, samples wastes, and performs field sampling and analysis. Maintains accurate and organized records; establishes and maintains effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; uses computers to create spreadsheets and forms, and to perform word processing. The Environmental Compliance Inspector participates in phases of the City of Watsonville's Phase II MS4 NPDES Permit and compliance with 40 CFR Part 403-General Pretreatment Regulations, including assisting with permit preparation, water quality and stormwater monitoring, facility inspection, enforcement, reporting, and document and data management.
Examples of Duties
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The following duties are performed personally, in cooperation with the Public Works & Utilities Director, and/or other designees in coordination with other City employees, operating partners, community groups, and other public and private organizations. Additional duties may be assigned.
• Evaluates industrial and commercial discharges for compliance with federal, state, and local waste discharge regulations.
• Inspects industrial and commercial businesses for compliance with wastes storage and disposal, as well as 40 CFR Part 403 Pretreatment Regulations.
• Communicates requirements for pretreatment systems and monitoring equipment to businesses, and for pretreatment systems and monitoring stations; coordinates with permittees and potential dischargers.
• Documents industrial user activities, maintains files, applicable databases, and other computer related forms.
• Implements the Fat, Oils, & Grease (FOG) program at food preparation facilities.
• Prepares and maintains sampling equipment and collects samples for physical, chemical, and microbiological laboratory analyses.
• Assists with the implementation of program enforcement procedures including Corrective Action Notices and Notice of Violations.
• Performs inspections of industrial and commercial facilities to determine compliance with stormwater best management practices and the Phase II Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.
• Utilizes and supports the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of sewers and stormwater system.
• Prepares and maintains sampling equipment and collects samples for physical, chemical, and microbiological laboratory analyses; implements understanding of laboratory Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC), including reporting limits, method detection limits, and matrix spike and duplicate recovery.
• Analyzes laboratory data and interprets results from inspection and sampling activities; assists in preparing reports for supervisor review.
• Assists and supports the supervisor as needed in preparing reports of inspection, sampling, and laboratory findings.
• Assists with educational and informational pollution prevention outreach efforts to commercial and industrial facilities.
• Investigates and samples stormwater outfalls and catch basins for illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE) compliance and Phase II Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.
• Responds to industrial waste spills and treatment plant upsets; responds to emergency situations as necessary.
• Assists in the response, reporting, and remediation of sanitary sewer overflows.
• Checks plans for compliance with local sewer use ordinance, performs onsite inspections of pretreatment systems to ensure compliance with approved plans specifications and documentation of new businesses.
• Contributes to the development of an annual program plan including permit renewals, inspections, and monitoring; implements plan.
• Takes part in writing permits, plan checks, and calculating sewer usage fees and customer billing.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in pollution prevention.
• Performs related duties as required.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:
• Principles for pretreatment facilities and pretreatment facility inspections.
• Basic principles and terminology of chemistry, biology and/or biochemistry.
• Industrial wastewater discharge properties and the effects on the environment and public infrastructure.
• Federal, State and local statutes, regulations, legislative and regulatory processes and programs, and responsibilities related to hazardous and toxic waste management and wastewater discharges.
• Chemical characteristics, reactions, hazardous properties and storage and handling requirements.
• Basic chemistry and biology as it relates to wastewater treatment.
• Methods and techniques of investigation and enforcement.
• Basic components of chemical management plans, monitoring reports, storm water pollution prevention plans, and spill containment plans.
• Sample collection, preservation and chain of custody procedures.
• Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) control methods, inspection techniques and equipment.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, GIS and databases.
Ability to:
• Understand, explain, and apply regulations codes and ordinances.
• Communicate Effectively and tactfully with commercial and industrial representatives, both orally and in writing.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Be productive in both a supervised and unsupervised work environment.
• Make sound independent judgments within established guidelines.
• Read and understand engineering plans.
• Handle multiple concurrent activities and tasks.
• Maintain records and prepare technical reports.
• Perform a variety of routine tasks and assignments.
• Understand basic data collection and management.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Typical Qualifications
EDUCATION/TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities in:
Education and Experience
• Equivalent to an Associate's degree with major course work in environmental science, biology, chemistry or a related field
OR
• Two (2) years of experience in environmental science, industrial water/wastewater process operations, water quality management, or pollution control. Experienced sampling for environmental pollutants is highly desirable.
LICENSE & CERTIFICATION:
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Grade I Environmental Compliance Inspector Certificate from the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) within 12 months from date of hire.
• Possession of Qualified Industrial Storm Water Practitioner (QISP) or Qualified Stormwater Practitioner (QSP) is highly desirable but not required.
Other Requirements:
• Bilingual English/Spanish oral skills is highly preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Environment: Outdoor field environment with exposure to hazardous conditions; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, noxious odors, and all types of weather and temperature
conditions; work and/or walk on various surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in field environment; to travel to various locations to take samples; to walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; to frequently
stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, and twist; to push, pull, lift, and/or carry moderate to heavy amounts of weight; and to operate assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction and ability to distinguish colors.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction
Supplemental Information
The candidate will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list which normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by the Operating Engineers Local Union No.3 bargaining group.
Prior to appointment to the position of Environmental Compliance Inspector, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.
City of Watsonville offers excellent medical, dental and vision benefits for the employee and dependents. Benefits also include holidays, vacation, and sick leave. The City offers Public Employees Retirement benefits. Employees shall pay the full employee share of CalPERS contribution.
