Westlands Water District

Fresno, CA

SCIENCE ADVISOR

Bargaining Unit: At Will
Salary Code: Band D
FLSA Designation: Exempt
Revision Date: 02/01/17

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under general direction of the Associate General Manager-Water Policy, performs work related to the coordination and communication of science issues within the District, advises the General Manager and other on science issues, and serves as a liaison between the District and other science programs, including the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP). This is an “at-will management” position in which the incumbent serves at the discretion of the General Manager.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

  1. Communicates science related information to the District staff and local, State, and Federal agencies to ensure consistent application of programs and methodologies, while exercising independent judgment and communication skills.
  2. Analyzes, interprets, and reviews the scientific needs for fish and wildlife regulation and water project operations.
  3. Recommends and participates in the issues associated with the implementation of the programs intended to protect and conserve aquatic species in the Delta and its tributaries thereto.
  4. Advises District management of scientific needs under programs intended to protect and conserve aquatic species in the Delta and tributaries thereto to ensure use of sound scientific protocols in the implementation of these programs.
  5. Communicates findings and recommendations to District management and serve as the initial point of contact on general matters of science. Provides support services to attorneys for the District in litigation and administrative proceedings on issues involving science.
  6. Performs other duties as assigned.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Any combination of equivalent education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

A bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, or a closely related and two (2) years of science advisor experience.

Knowledge of:

  • Presenting ongoing work and findings to colleagues which summarize the nature of the research, methodology, and findings.
  • Processing and analyzing results and data.
  • Devising and conducting experiments.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Possess physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

  • Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider is required.