Water Resources Specialist I/II

Please note this recruitment will fill one (1) immediate vacancy and one (1) new position as of 7/1/2026
Candidates will be evaluated during the recruiting process on demonstrated qualifications and will be considered for the appropriate level within the classification series.

At Western Municipal Water District ("Western Water"), we are seeking our next Water Resources Specialist I/II to join a collaborative team working to advance regional water supply reliability and strategic initiatives. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex challenges, learning continuously, and working with partner agencies to move important initiatives forward.

Our Water Resources team operates in a dynamic environment where priorities evolve and collaboration is essential. No two days look exactly the same. In this role, you may be analyzing water supply data, coordinating with retail and partner agencies, supporting strategic priorities, preparing materials for leadership, or helping track and administer grant-funded projects. The position works across teams and with regional partners to advance initiatives that strengthen long-term water supply reliability for the communities we serve.

The ideal candidate is adaptable, organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy and follow-through. Just as important, we’re looking for someone who values teamwork, communicates well, and enjoys working in a culture where people support each other and share ideas.

This role offers the opportunity to build a strong foundation in regional water resource planning, policy, and funding programs, while gaining exposure to the partnerships and strategies that shape water supply reliability across Southern California.

Western Water stands out:

• Western Water is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County providing water and sewer services to nearly one million people; and
• We see ourselves as more of a business than a bureaucracy;and
• We view our customers as an essential partner in ensuring long-term water security for our region; and
• Together, the Western Water team is focused on being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust.

What do you value in your next job?
At Western Water our values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, we'd like to invite you to explore this exceptional career opportunity further.

Honesty, Trust, and RespectWe aspire to the highest degree of integrity, honesty, trust, and respect in our interaction with each other, our customers, and the community we serve.
Teamwork and Problem SolvingWe strive to reach Western's goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative and cost-effective manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.
Leadership and CommitmentWe lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our objectives and goals. We are committed to act in the best interests of our employees, our organization, and our community.
Learning/Teaching-Talents, Skills, and AbilitiesWe continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities, knowing that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.
Recognition/RewardsWe seek to recognize, acknowledge, and reward contributions to Western Water by our many talented employees.

The Water Resources Specialist, under general supervision, performs routine to complex professional planning and research work related to water supply and demand planning, grants, groundwater management, and other water resources planning tasks; compiles, integrates, and analyzes planning-related data; conducts grant management and customer agency support activities related to water planning programs; conducts research and prepares technical reports and research papers; and perform related duties as assigned.

The Water Resources Specialist I is the entry-level class in this series. Incumbents are responsible for performing routine duties in the collection and basic analysis of data, program coordination, and report development for water resource planning programs. Incumbents work under close supervision while being trained and gradually work more independently as knowledge and skills increase.

The Water Resources Specialist II is the journey-level class in this series. Incumbents are responsible for performing higher-level data and cost-benefit analysis, program administration, and water resource planning of moderate difficulty and complexity. Incumbents work under general supervision while exercising independent judgment within established systems and procedures.

Western Water employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate the District needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Emergency Service Worker.

Incumbents within the Water Resources Specialist series report to the Water Resources Manager.

The duties listed below 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 classification.

• Analyzes and tracks water resources projects and programs; develops and maintains working relationships with all departments at Western Water, our retail agencies, grant funding agencies, sub-grantees, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), and otherpartner agency staffon water resource matters.
• Analyzes the availability and feasibility of grant funding for water resource projects, approved projects in the Capital Improvement and Facilities Plan, and other initiatives; completes grant applications to secure funding; ensures all reports and program budgets required by grant programs are completed as required, and supports the implementation of grant-funded projects.
• Using databases and other tools, researches, collects, receives, compiles, integrates, and analyzes information insupport of water resources’ planning and other activities,grants management, Capital Improvement and Facilities Plan, demand and supply projections, environmental studies, and demographic analyses.
• Performs a wide range of professional-levelanalysesinsupportofongoingandadhocreportingrequirements as assigned.
• Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders, consultants, other agencies, and developers to communicate District policies and requirements for program and project initiation, development, and progress.
• Prepares comprehensive reports, presentations and/or publications, maps, diagrams, factsheets, and technical research papers.
• Conducts studies or project analyses of groundwater, surface water, recycled water, wastewater, conservation, and other water-related data; coordinates and monitors the work of assigned project consultants and contractors; reviews, evaluates, and critiques work products of consultants and contractors.
• Administers and maintains a wide variety of databases and internal Standard Operating Procedures; collects and compiles critical data in a variety of formats to generate and document alternatives for comparison; formally documents decision-making processes with input from all stakeholders.
• Participates in budget preparation and administration by preparing cost estimates, submits justifications for budget items, and monitors and controls expenditures.
• Keeps abreast of relevant water resource matters, technologies and programs in water resource planning; and recommends, develops, and coordinates implementation of such programs.
• Presents technical project and policy information to internal and external stakeholders and to the public.
• Provides work direction to support part-time staff on special projects or routine duties.
• Adheres to office procedures including record management policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with Western Water's record retention policy.
• The incumbent, while exercising his/her authority, shall abide by and promote Western Water's values and beliefs and adhere to Western Water's ethics policy.

Knowledgeof:

• Principles, procedures, standards, practices, trends, and information sources in the field of water resources planning and grants management.Research and statistical methods and techniques.

• Principles and practices of effective business and public communication.

• Application of ordinances, legislation, policies, standards, procedure, and historical practices associated with water resources planning.

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Western Water's stakeholders.

• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations in assigned areas of responsibility.State and regional organizations in assigned areas of responsibility.

• Western Water's delivery system andpricing policies.

• Content and use of Western Water's water resource databases.

• Terminology, symbols, and techniques used in water resource planning.

• GIS concepts and analytical techniques.

• Western Waterand mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Abilityto:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.

• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.

• Accurately collect, assemble, track, and interpret data from multiple sources applicable to water resources planning and grants management including research, application development, and reporting.

• Participate in technical projects and studies.

• Identify relevant issues and problems, develop alternatives, and make sound recommendations.

• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedure, and legal guidelines.

• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.

• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Participate in the selection of consultants, review work products, and coordinate consultant work.

• Understand legal and statistical data in technical reports.

• Perform water resource management and water quality analyses using computer models, GIS, and multiple databases.

• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING/CERTIFICATION:
Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications as outlined:

Job TitleEducationExperienceWater Resources Specialist I~ Equivalent to Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Water Resources Management, Urban Planning, Public or Business Administration or related field.
~ Master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of experience.2 years of water supply planning and/or water use efficiency/program administrationWater Resources Specialist II4 years of progressive responsibilities in water supply planning and/or water use efficiency/program administration
Required License / CertificationDesired Licenses / CertificationsCA Class C Driver's License~ AWWA Water Conservation Practitioner, Grade 1, 2, or 3
~ AWWA Water Use Efficiency Practitioner, Grade 1, 2, or 3
~ IA Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical:Employees in this position may be required to work in both an office and outside environment. Depending on department responsibilities, employees are required to use repetitive motion for keyboard use and writing; frequently grasp, reach/work overhead, hold and reach; sit for long periods of time; frequently walk, stand, squat, twist and bend; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; occasionally climb stairs and ladders; occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds or 60 pounds with assistance; employees may be required to operate equipment, machinery, controls and tools; perform manual labor; constantly use overall color vision plus hand, eye, and feet coordination; and frequently hear and talk, in person and on the phone. Employees may be required and medically able to wear respiratory and fall protection equipment.

Mental:Employees should possess the ability to speak, read, and write English, in addition to exercising math and computer aptitude as required. Employees work under pressure with frequent interruptions while communicating and interacting with a variety of Western Water personnel, the public, and others encountered in the course of work. The ability to explain, interpret, and apply related rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and work on multiple concurrent assignments, often within tight timeframes using good business judgment is necessary.

Environmental:Employees work in a temperature controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and settings. The employee will occasionally work outside with exposure to various weather conditions. Employees may work in areas with poisonous plants and/or venomous or threatening animals or insects. Incumbents are expected to use principles of effective safety practices including the use of personal protective equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.

Western Water is a tobacco free campus prohibiting smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and unregulated nicotine products in any Western Water vehicle and building, which includes any building owned and occupied, or leased and occupied, by Western Water, including, Headquarters, the Operations Center, and any remote facilities owned, leased and/or operated by Western Water.