Natural Resource Specialist II (Open and Promotional)

Full Job Description

The Department of Public Works is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Natural Resource Specialist II to join our team!

Working with a team of highly skilled Natural Resource professionals, the Natural Resource Specialist will have the opportunity to:

• Develop, implement, coordinate, promote, monitor, and evaluate one or more natural resource conservation programs or projects
• Serve as subject matter expert and resource on topics related to natural resource management including ecology, forestry, wildlife biology, environmental science, and related topics
• Research, analyze, and interpret information and data
• Design and conduct studies
• Develop, conduct, monitor, and evaluate comprehensive outreach and public education activities
• Provide supervision and leadership on a project basis to professional, technical, support, contract, and volunteer staff.
  

The ideal candidate will have a degree in biology, natural resource management, or environmental studies with related coursework such as aquatic ecology, zoology, fisheries management, conservation biology, geomorphology, hydrology, geology, GPS/GIS, statistics, and plant ecology.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the following experience, skills and abilities:

• Experience in biological, mitigation site, and construction site monitoring
• Basic knowledge about construction Best Management Practices and erosion control principles
• Experience conducting biological surveys (e.g., wildlife, nesting birds, plants, sensitive species)
• Knowledge of endangered species, environmental and stormwater regulations
• Experience with environmental permitting
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills and experience in preparing detailed reports (e.g., biological assessment reports and habitat and mitigation and monitoring plans)
• Training in GIS
• Ability to interpret engineering plans

Natural Resource Specialist II is the fully experienced, journey level class which works under general direction. Incumbents at this level are capable of independently performing the full range of duties in one or several specialized areas and are expected to serve as subject matter experts in these areas. Incumbents may provide direction and leadership on a project basis to professional, technical, support, consultant/contract, and volunteer staff.

NOTE: The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies, including classified, unclassified, full-time, part-time, temporary and extra help assignments.

Requirements

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs a variety of professional duties related to the County’s resource conservation, environmental compliance, and permitting programs/projects such as Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) and Construction General Permit (CGP), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, County of San Mateo Routine Maintenance Program, Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS), Total Maximum Daily Load Program (TMDL), and other programs/projects.
• Develops, implements, coordinates, promotes, monitors, and evaluates one or more of the various resource conservation, environmental compliance, and permitting programs/projects.
• Serves as subject matter expert of assigned area(s) or program(s) for the department, the County, external agencies, businesses, community groups and staff.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, local and other pertinent environmental mandates, laws, codes, rules, regulations, and agreements within assigned areas.
• Researches, analyzes, and interprets information and data.
• Designs and conducts a wide variety of related studies and surveys, including biological field surveys; designs best management practices (BMPs), prepares biological assessments and permit applications; negotiates permit conditions with various regulatory agencies, and prepares and implements mitigation and monitoring plans.
• Reviews and provides comments on various technical and environmental documents, including environmental impact reports, initial study/mitigated negative declaration, mitigation plans, and biological assessments.
• Develops, prepares, negotiates and monitors grants; ensures compliance with grant stipulations and funding agency reporting requirements.
• Develops systems and procedures to support program/project activities.
• Prepares written materials such as permit applications, narrative and annual reports, technical charts, and publications.
• Maintains environmental regulatory compliance and monitoring required by permits and project activities.
• Serves as a subject matter expert by identifying biological resources and regulatory requirements within a worksite.
• Researches evolving Best Management Practices (BMP’s) utilized within the industry and incorporate these measures into project plans when applicable.
• Develops, conducts, monitors, and evaluates comprehensive outreach, public education, training, and media activities.
• Provides direction and leadership on a project basis to professional, technical, support, consultant/contract, and volunteer staff.
• Develops, negotiates, and monitors grants, contracts, and terms of permit conditions.
• Reviews consultant deliverables and invoices to ensure compliance with contract stipulations, permits and County standards.
• Represents the section on committees, boards, and other related groups.
• Participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for new and existing programs.
• Participates in developing and implementing short and long-range goals and objectives for the section.
• Provides management with information related to developing and monitoring budgets.
• Stays abreast of new trends, laws, regulations, and innovations in the related fields of natural resource conservation, environmental compliance, and permitting.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

Typical ways to qualify are: Level II: A Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management/ Ecology, Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology, or a related field and three years of relevant experience.

Substitution: A Master of Science degree in Natural Resource Management/ Ecology, Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology or related field plus two years of relevant experience. Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of contract management.
• Principles, practices, and trends in the assigned specialty areas of resource conservation.
• Technical information in the assigned specialty areas such as wildlife management, biology/botany, ecology, restoration, forestry, and marine biology.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, implement and evaluate assigned programs, projects, and activities.
• Coordinate multiple functions and contracts.
• Supervise permanent, temporary, contract and volunteer staff on a project basis.
• Serve as subject matter expert in assigned areas.
• Work with a wide variety of people at all levels including those from government, business, private and non-profit agencies, community groups and the public.
• Identify problems and resolve them.
• Track and monitor compliance with pertinent mandates, laws, codes, rules, regulations, and agreements.
• Develop and conduct outreach, public education, training, and media activities.
• Research and analyze information/data to formulate findings and recommendations.
• Serve as representative on various boards, committees, and community groups.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, letters, and other written materials.
• Provide information regarding planning, developing, and monitoring the budget.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with others.
• Perform instant and sustained arduous physical activity and work in rough, brushy terrain and in adverse weather.
  

License:

Possession of a valid California Driver license or equivalent.

Additional Information

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply.

Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: Pass/Fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button.

If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply.

Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form.

A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule:
Recruitment closes: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Applicant Screening: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Panel Interviews: Thursday, March 26, 2026

About the CountySan Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay.

With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment.

The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

HR Analyst: Sarah Huynh (02172026) (J085 - Natural Resources Specialist II)