ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS INSPECTOR TRAINEE / Emergency Appointment Fire

Job Description

Position/Program Information

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

We will be accepting online applications from Monday, November 16, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Thursday, November 19, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Thursd ay, November 19 , 2026 , to be accepted.

EXAM NUMBER: C4211A-FR

The LA County Board of Supervisors has unanimously ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the windstorms and wildfires , including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, that have devastated communities across the County. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to assist the County in mobilizing resources and support needed to help our residents recover and rebuild. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

The Department of Public Works is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Environmental Programs Inspector Trainee vacancies related to this unprecedented natural disaster.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Environmental Programs Inspector Trainee .

Essential Job Functions

An Environmental Programs Inspector Trainee is responsible for a combination of the following job functions:

• Learns to inspect commercial and industrial facilities for compliance with County Code provisions and local, State, and Federal environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the production, handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of industrial and hazardous wastes; underground storage of hazardous materials; runoff reduction; and recycling requirements.
• Learns to write and issue notices of violation and reports of inspections, surveys, and investigations that include detailed descriptions of observations, findings, communications, and violations.
• Learns to inspect the operating systems of underground storage tanks and the installation, modification and removal of underground storage tanks to verify compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
• Learns to review and process submittals to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) and may accept CERS submittals upon obtaining certification as a California Underground Storage Tank Inspector.
• Learns to investigate complaints of illicit discharges of waste and hazardous substances, sanitary sewer system overflows, illicit waste-discharge connections, and similar emergencies by inspecting sites; conducting interviews with private and/or public parties; meeting with representatives of governmental agencies; and collecting and preparing evidence to verify the accuracy of complaints to determine the source of discharge/connection and the responsible party.
• Learns to collect field samples, evaluate data from instrument readings, and conduct technical field test.
• Learns to operate, calibrate, and maintain test instruments and sampling devices used to conduct field tests for pollutants.
• Learns to test the effectiveness and operation of a rainwater diversion system and industrial waste pretreatment facilities.
• Attends training in hazardous waste operations, emergency response, safety, and other subjects as required.
• D rives a personal vehicle to and from work locations throughout the County, as needed.

The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A Bachelor’s degree* from an accredited college or university with specialization in biology, chemistry, environmental science or a closely related field**.

LICENSE:

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

A valid certification as a California Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector from a State recognized certification organization is required within six months from the date of appointment to carry out job-related essential functions.

You MUST meet the requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

PHYSICAL CLASS:
Physical Class 3 - Moderate: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of your official diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution with your application or within five calendar (5) days from the date of filing the application. The document should show the date the degree was conferred, number of units and the type of unit system used (e.g., semester, quarter) and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to US standards and indicate the number of units and unit system.

For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf .

If you are unable to attach the required documents with your application, please submit them to PWExams@pw.lacounty.gov within five (5) calendar days from the date of filing the application, and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number.

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

** Examples of a closely related field include: Biochemistry, Biophysics, Earth Science, and Environmental and Occupational Health.

EXAM CONTENT:
During your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

Additional Information

APPLICATION & FILING INFORMATION:
Applications must be filed online only and will be reviewed for interview consideration on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment remains open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information.

Many notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address.

Please add NMondragon@pw.lacounty.gov , PWExams@pw.lacounty.gov , noreply@governmentjobs.com , and info@governmentjobs.com , as well as the domains dpw.lacounty.gov and hr.lacounty.gov , to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.

Plan to submit your online application as soon as possible as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL AND PASSWORD: All applicants must file their application using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend’s user ID and password may erase a candidate’s original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI): The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

CONTACT INFORMATION :
Department Contact Name: Neal Mondragon
Department Contact Phone: (626) 458-2141
Department Contact Email: PWExams@pw.lacounty.gov
ADA Coordinator Phone: (626) 458-2141
Teletype Phone: (626) 282-7829
California Relay Services: (800) 735-2922

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