Associate Water Resources Specialist Surface Water Quality

Salary: $136,240.00 – $174,428.80 Annually

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 01744-E

Department: Watersheds Stewardship and Planning

Closing: 2/12/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Overview:
Are you a surface water quality subject matter expert with a solid background in limnology, aquatic biogeochemistry, reservoir management, regulatory compliance, , or water resource stewardship? Do you have a strong academic background and a heart for applied science? If so, consider expanding your water resources career with Valley Water.

Valley Water is the primary water resource agency for Santa Clara County, supplying safe, clean water, providing flood protection, and serving as an environmental steward for healthy ecosystems. Valley Water serves approximately two million people in the County, and manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced water treatment facility, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds, and 293 miles of streams.

The Associate Water Resources Specialist is a full-journey member of a team of committed environmental specialists and scientists in the Watershed Stewardship and Planning Division. The position provides journey-level support for the Safe Clean Water Program’s Project B1: Impaired Water Bodies Improvement, and Project B2: Interagency Urban Runoff Program, with a significant focus on B1. Specifically, this position will lead Valley Water’s mercury TMDL Program, and prioritize, design, and implement other surface water quality improvement projects to address impairments from various pollutants and stressors. The successful candidate will serve as an internal technical subject matter expert and resource for surface water quality issues. Specific duties will include recommending, developing, and leading Valley Water-specific water quality improvement projects. This will include study design and implementation, statistical data analysis, database administration, contracting, technical report review and generation, publication in peer-reviewed journals when appropriate, and development of recommendations for follow-up actions. The position will also facilitate collaborations with surface water quality experts from academic institutions and government agencies. In support of B2, the position will participate in coordinating, and implementing activities related to monitoring and reducing water pollution from the urban environment, including acting as a technical resource.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead activities under Safe Clean Water priority project B1, Impaired Water Body Improvement to improve the condition of impaired water bodies across Santa Clara County including collaboration with academic and technical partners.
• Lead Valley Water’s mercury program including coordinating sample design, sampling, analysis, and all required reporting for the reservoir mercury program and collaborating with Regional Water Board staff.
• Design and implement scientific studies to inform management actions for reducing mercury impairments in reservoirs and streams in the Guadalupe River watershed.
• Manage and analyze large water quality datasets.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on surface water quality issues to units across Valley Water.
• Collaborate with local academics, Water Board staff, and local subject matter experts to plan and implement projects to support surface water quality improvement.

Ideal Candidate’s Background Includes:
Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

• Four (4) plus years of professional-level experience in the field of surface water quality including aquatic chemistry, limnology, oceanography, watershed management, or environmental compliance.
• Experience leading the design and implementation of scientific studies and reports.
• Experience addressing mercury impairments in reservoirs.
• Field experience conducting surface water quality monitoring in rugged terrain.
• Experience transporting and operating small boats.
• Experience collaborating with a diversity of experts and stakeholders, including hydrologists, biologists, environmental planners, chemists, and regulators.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

• Environmental, biogeochemical, and hydrological data analysis – including data management and quality control best practices and techniques.
• Statistical data analysis, coding, graphical representations, experimental and sampling design.
• Ability to apply water resources principles, practices, concepts, and standards to surface water quality monitoring, management, protection, and improvement.
• Critically review data for accuracy, completeness, and relevance.
• Perform mathematical and statistical calculations using computational tools.
• Effectively analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical water quality data and information .
• Design, lead, and implement water resources monitoring and research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports and presentations.
• Able to lift 50 pounds and work in rugged terrain and operate small boats.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including community, business, professional groups, and the public.
• Design, plan, coordinate, and oversee water quality studies and pollution prevention projects, including leading assigned staff.
• Negotiate, prepare, and administer complex agreements.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
•  Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Independently organize and prioritize multiple tasks for effective and timely completion.

Ideal Knowledge:

• Thorough understanding of the Safe Clean Water Program, particularly project B1 (Impaired Water Bodies Improvement).
• Strong knowledge of surface water biogeochemical processes including mercury, trace metal, and nutrient cycling.
• Principles and practices of reservoir and water resource management
•  Principles, practices, concepts, and standards of environmental chemistry, water resources management, limnology, hydrogeology, hydrology, aquatic biology, and surface water quality regulation.
• Laboratory processes and protocols from the client’s perspective.
• Clean Water Act and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and associated permits and regulations.
• Principles and practices of basic field safety, water safety, and safety communications.
• Principles and practices of data management and statistical analysis and their application to water resources projects and programs.
• Principles and practices of project budgeting, cost estimation, and contract administration.
• Recent and ongoing technical developments in the field of surface water quality management, including current literature, information technology, and sources of information related to relevant beneficial use impairments.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and procedures relevant to water resource management.

Ideal Training and Education:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in aquatic environmental chemistry, limnology, water resources management, environmental science, environmental engineering, geology, physical sciences, earth sciences, natural sciences, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license. Individuals who do not meet the driver’s license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

To review the Classification Specification, please click https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/valleywater.org.us-west-1/s3fs-public/CS%20Associate%20WRS%205-2019.pdf  https://get.adobe.com/reader/ 

Environmental Planning Unit (Position Code 453)
Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.

Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Water’s Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.