Bargaining Unit: At-Will
Salary Code: Band D
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Exempt
Effective Date: October 16, 2026
General Description:
Under general direction of the Deputy General Manager – Resources, plans, coordinates, analyzes, and manages programs, projects, and initiatives related to water resources, initiatives related to Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP) operations, groundwater management, water supply reliability, environmental compliance, resource planning, and related District priorities. Conducts technical, economic, and policy analyses; develops recommendations; coordinates with regulatory agencies and stakeholders; evaluates hydrologic conditions, regulatory requirements, operational constraints, and water supply forecasts; and supports the District’s long range resource management objectives.
The Water Resources Specialist serves as a project manager for assigned programs and studies and provides professional-level analysis and recommendations on issues affecting District operations, CVP and SWP water supplies, Delta operations, groundwater sustainability, regulatory compliance, and strategic resource planning.
This position will have access to confidential and proprietary District information, including trade secrets, strategic planning information, resource management data, operational information, and other sensitive information used to support management decision-making. The position is expected to exercise a high degree of discretion and maintain strict confidentiality in the performance of assigned duties. This is an “at-will” 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.
- Plans, coordinates, and manages projects related to water resources, groundwater management, water supply reliability, environmental compliance, water conservation, and resource development.
- Conducts technical, economic, statistical, and policy analyses related to District operations and resource management programs.
- Develops, evaluates, and recommends alternative resource management strategies and operational approaches.
- Assists in the development and implementation of short- and long-term water supply enhancement and resource planning initiatives.
- Analyzes and monitors CVP and SWP operations, hydrologic conditions, reservoir storage, Delta conditions, regulatory requirements, and operational constraints impacting the District’s water supplies.
- Monitors and evaluates federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, programs, and policies affecting District interests.
- Coordinates activities with federal, state, and local agencies, consultants, water districts, groundwater sustainability agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Oversees preparation and submission of reports, applications, permits, and regulatory filings.
- Collects, analyzes, interprets, and maintains technical, operational, environmental, and resource related data.
- Prepares studies, reports, presentations, briefing materials, and recommendations for management and the Board of Directors.
- Serves as project manager for special studies, consultant contracts, grant-funded projects, and resource planning initiatives.
- Interprets modeling results, including CalSim 3, to evaluate the potential effects on CVP and SWP operations. Develops excel based models, forecasting tools, and comparative analyses to support water supply decisions.
- Participates in groundwater management, water conservation, environmental compliance, and resource planning efforts.
- Represents the District at meetings, workshops, technical committees, industry associations, public agencies, and stakeholder groups.
- Assists with budget development, project tracking, and program administration.
- 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 from an accredited college or university in Water Resources, Hydrology, Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science, Economics, Resource Economics, Public Policy, Natural Resource Management, Engineering, Agricultural Science, or a related field; and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in water resources planning, groundwater management, environmental compliance, resource management, policy analysis, project management, economic analysis, regulatory programs, or a related field.
A master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
Knowledge of:
- Water resources planning and management principles.
- Groundwater management and groundwater sustainability programs.
- Water supply planning and resource allocation principles.
- Water supply reliability and resource development strategies.
- Reservoir operations, storage, runoff forecasting, and hydrologic conditions affecting water supply availability.
- Modeling and decision support tools, for example CalSim 3, DSM2, or comparable models.
- Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies affecting water resources.
- Environmental compliance and permitting requirements.
- Principles of hydrology, geography, environmental science, economics, and resource management.
- Legislative and regulatory processes.
- Project management principles and practices.
- Research methods, technical analysis, and report preparation.
- Data management, statistical analysis, and forecasting techniques.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related analytical tools.
- Public agency operations and administrative practices.
Skills/Abilities to:
- Conduct technical, economic, policy, and operational analyses.
- Evaluate complex issues and develop practical recommendations.
- Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Collect, analyze, and present data in a clear and meaningful manner.
- Manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
- Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, studies, and presentations.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District staff, agencies, consultants, stakeholders, and the public.
- Represent the District effectively in meetings, committees, and professional forums.
- Exercise sound judgment and initiative in the performance of assigned duties.
Working Conditions
- Possess the physical characteristics necessary to perform the critical and important duties of the position.
- Travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and field visits.
- Work hours other than a normal work schedule may occasionally be required.
Standard Requirements
- Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.