What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Resources Technician position at City of San Luis Obispo?
If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, so please hold that date.
The Water Resources Technician plays a vital role in balancing office and field work while effectively communicating with diverse groups across the department and community. This position is responsible for identifying water leaks and inefficient water use, requiring strong technical skills to assess water meters and irrigation systems. The successful candidate will have experience with a water purveyor, public communication, and a professional understanding of urban water use. A background in environmental science, engineering, hydrology, geology, or urban planning is beneficial. This role also involves public outreach, so a passion for community engagement is highly valued. We seek a problem-solver who is confident yet eager to grow, committed to improving themselves, the organization, and the community while ensuring regulatory compliance.
JOB SUMMARY:
Assists in the development, implementation, and administration of the City’s water conservation water source of supply expansion, and recycled water programs. Develops and applies water conservation and water supply expansion solutions. Employees in this job classification play an important role in the City’s strategic plan to develop and implement water conservation and water supply programs to meet the current and future needs of the community.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification performs journey-level work in the development and administration of a variety of policies and programs to conserve the use of water resources, promote and expand the use of recycled water, manage the conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources, and coordination of a groundwater pumping and recharge strategy that meets Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements. This classification is distinguished from the Water Resources Program Manager by the latter’s responsibility for the oversight, development, and implementation of the City’s water conservation and water supply expansion related programs.
Assists in the development, implementation, and administration of the City’s water conservation water source of supply expansion, and recycled water programs. Develops and applies water conservation and water supply expansion solutions. Employees in this job classification play an important role in the City’s strategic plan to develop and implement water conservation and water supply programs to meet the current and future needs of the community.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification performs journey-level work in the development and administration of a variety of policies and programs to conserve the use of water resources, promote and expand the use of recycled water, manage the conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources, and coordination of a groundwater pumping and recharge strategy that meets Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements. This classification is distinguished from the Water Resources Program Manager by the latter’s responsibility for the oversight, development, and implementation of the City’s water conservation and water supply expansion related programs.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Employees in this classification receive direct supervision from the Water Resources Program Manager and may exercise day to day supervision over supplemental staff.
Employees in this classification receive direct supervision from the Water Resources Program Manager and may exercise day to day supervision over supplemental staff.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)
- Assists in planning, developing, and implementing innovative water conservation, water source of supply expansion, and recycled water programs.
- Performs on-site inspections of recycled water irrigation systems for compliance with Title 22 and other state and local regulations.
- Trains irrigation contractors and construction contractors on the safe and legal use of recycled water.
- Performs irrigation plan review for compliance with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) and Title 22.
- Reviews residential and commercial water use data for compliance with state water use regulations and recommends conservation methods to property owner if needed.
- Compiles and analyzes water use data to understand trends in water use and their relation to the City’s water conservation programs.
- Conducts routine groundwater monitoring and water level recording as required by SGMA.
- Participates in development of the City’s water loss audit and associated municipal water loss reduction programs.
- Provides technical expertise to City staff and public on how to achieve the program objectives.
- Prepares oral and written reports.
- Collects, compiles, and analyzes data to monitor programs and ensure compliance with local, State, and Federal laws, including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
- Prepares and implements a public information program that makes effective use of all forms of media to increase public awareness of water conservation, water source of supply expansion, and recycled water programs implemented by the City.
- Provides high level staff work in programmatic development, analysis, and implementation.
- Compiles and analyzes water production and water demand data in order to assess cost, operational feasibility, and other aspects of programs and projects; prepares reports and makes recommendations on implementation procedures.
- Manages projects and programs that cross departmental boundaries and require City-wide coordination and communication.
- Manages assigned programs or projects, including scheduling, planning, coordinating, supervising and presenting all work performed on assigned projects/program.
- Represents the City in interdepartmental, community and professional meetings as required.
- Performs regulatory monitoring and evaluation activities for water conservation, water source of supply expansion, and recycled water programs; documents problem areas and researches and recommends solutions.
- Ensures compliance with City ordinances through public outreach, customer support, and issuing citations.
- Trains, instructs, and oversees work conducted by supplemental staff in the division.
- Interprets Federal, State, and City regulations; coordinates their application to City operations and to the public.
- Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
- Federal, State, and local laws and regulations regarding water conservation, groundwater use, water source of supply development, and recycled water.
- Public outreach methods and techniques related to water resource management.
- Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations related to Recycled Water Use
- Principles and practices of groundwater monitoring and management
- Principals and methods of water conservation, water source of supply, and recycled water programs.
- Appropriate data and record keeping methods and principles.
Ability to:
- Clearly and accurately provide information and promote resource management programs to the general public and others.
- Contribute to the City's water supply planning efforts.
- Effectively communicate in both oral and written forms.
- Be proficient in computer programs related to the functions of the job, including the Microsoft Office Suite, Cityworks asset management software, and Springbrook utility billing software.
- Analyze and accurately interpret Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
- Analyze and accurately interpret and evaluate technical issues and make appropriate recommendations for actions.
- Develop and use database reports to support the Water Resources Section goals.
- Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
- Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties.
Completion of two years of college or university level coursework with major coursework in environmental, biological, or behavioral sciences, sustainability, public outreach, communications, public administration, or a closely related field;
and
Two years’ experience in recycled water program management, water conservation program management, or administering other resource management or local government programs;
or
A Bachelor’s degree in environmental, biological, or behavioral sciences, sustainability, public outreach, communications, public administration, or a closely related field;
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:
- A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE, THE CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO:
- Pre-Employment Physical
- Livescan Fingerprinting - DOJ
Salary : $70,304 - $86,320
