Assistant Water Resources Specialist I: $112,985.60 - $144,539.20 Annually
Assistant Water Resources Specialist II: $124,696.00 - $159,619.20 Annually
OR
Assistant Engineer I - Civil: $112,985.60 - $144,539.20 Annually
Assistant Engineer II - Civil: $124,696.00 - $159,619.20 Annually
Overview:
Do you want to be part of a dynamic team that helps ensure sustainable groundwater supplies? Valley Water is seeking qualified candidates to join the Groundwater Management Unit. This position supports groundwater supply and planning programs, contributing to sustainable water management, simulating current and future groundwater supply conditions, and performing hydrogeologic and engineering analyses. Related analyses include using and maintaining numerical groundwater models, mass balance, statistics, or other methods to prepare or review hydrogeologic reports and studies. Work directly supports water supply operations, managed aquifer recharge, drought response, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) compliance reporting, and the Water Supply Master Plan. Additional responsibilities may include environmental stewardship projects, land use reviews, and field monitoring activities.
This is a single position, for which the incumbent would be hired as either an Assistant Engineer I/ II or an Assistant Water Resources Specialist I/II. There are multiple ways a candidate may develop the skills and experience required to be successful in this role. Depending on the background and experience of the selected candidate, the exact classification will be determined at the point of hire.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.
About Valley Water:
Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Conduct groundwater modeling, hydrogeologic studies, and investigations using numerical groundwater models, statistics, or other methods to support water supply operations and planning.
- Prepare and review reports regarding issues such as groundwater modeling and supply conditions, groundwater monitoring and protection, and surface water/groundwater interaction.
- Support Valley Water's continued compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
- Analyze proposed projects, land use, regulations, and policies and develop recommendations for groundwater protection.
- Collect, validate, and/or interpret hydrogeologic data related to groundwater levels, groundwater quality, surface water, seawater intrusion, and land subsidence.
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:
Assistant Water Resources Specialist I or Assistant Engineer I
No experience is required. Preferred academic/research focus includes:
- Academic projects or research in groundwater management and hydrogeology including issues like groundwater/surface water interaction and/or seawater intrusion.
- Use of Microsoft Excel, groundwater flow models, geographic information system (GIS), statistics, and computer programming to support academic or research projects.
Assistant Water Resources Specialist II or Assistant Engineer II
Two (2) years of professional level experience with responsibility for compliance with environmental permitting, water supply planning or distribution, groundwater management, mitigation of natural resource impacts, or hydrogeology or engineering civil.
- Project based work experience in groundwater management and hydrogeology including issues like groundwater overdraft, managed aquifer recharge, groundwater/surface water interaction, and/or seawater intrusion.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including experience with functions, graphs, and pivot tables in Excel.
- Proficiency using and maintaining groundwater flow models.
- Experience using GIS and performing statistical analysis (e.g., trend test), and use of computer programming language.
Ideal Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Assistant Water Resources Specialist I or Assistant Engineer I
- Effectively analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data.
- Organize and prioritize multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, external agencies, the public, vendors, and contractors.
- Some knowledge of principles, practices, concepts, and standards of water resources management, hydrogeology, geology, and hydrology.
- Some knowledge of principles, practices, theories, and methods of groundwater modeling, groundwater budgets, and long-term water supply analysis.
- Practices of researching water resources issues and preparing and presenting effective and technical reports.
Assistant Water Resources Specialist II or Assistant Engineer II (in addition to level I)
- Evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Thorough knowledge of principles, practices, concepts, and standards of water resources management, hydrogeology, geology, and hydrology.
- Proficiency in numerical groundwater flow modeling, groundwater budgets, and long-term water supply analysis.
- Recent and on-going water resources related developments, including information technology, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of assigned areas of responsibility.
- Independently conduct comprehensive water resources studies, investigations, and analyses.
- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, and Valley Water’s water resources policies and procedures.
- Effectively represent the unit and Valley Water in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
Ideal Training and Education:
Assistant Water Resources Specialist I/II
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in water resources management, natural resources management, planning, civil or other field of engineering, geology, physical sciences, earth sciences, natural sciences or a field related to assigned functional area(s).
Assistant Engineer - Civil I/II
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a field related to assigned functional area(s).
OR
Possession of a valid California Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate with two (2) years of associated paraprofessional engineering experience.
