What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Resources Specialist position at City of Tumwater?
Tumwater is a vibrant community, rich in history, community, and opportunity.
Nestled into the base of Puget Sound, Tumwater is the southern gateway to the Seattle/Tacoma metropolitan area. It’s just a little over an hour from the Pacific Ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier with beautiful landscapes of prairie, river, estuary, and lush green trees. With its central location, Tumwater is a picturesque Northwest community with convenient access to arts, cultural and outdoor recreation.
Our vision is to create a future that is highly livable with diverse and engaged residents, a strong economy, and a healthy natural environment. Safe neighborhoods, quality schools, and a sense of community pride make Tumwater a great place to live, work, and play.
Opportunity:Water is a critical focus of the Water Resources & Sustainability Department. Ensuring drinking water is safe and reliable, and the sources are long-lasting for our community is a top priority. In this position, you will be an essential member of our team helping to significantly update our water conservation program and implement it citywide. You will work with staff and consultants to update the City's water conservation plan, monitor our use of drinking and reclaimed water, make recommendations for future water system planning, and monitor the program in meeting its conservation goals.
The position will be called upon to educate, present, and share information with the public, city staff, and elected officials. And, while this position will be predominantly focused on water conservation, the selected candidate will work on a multidisciplinary team dedicated to the environmental health and sustainability of Tumwater's resources, and other opportunities to support broader water resource programs are likely.
Essential Job Duties for Drinking Water/Water Conservation Specialty:
Develops, implements, and promotes water resources programs, such as water conservation, water quality compliance and wellhead protection.
Performs planning and policy development in support of water resources programs including the development of a water conservation plan.
Coordinates with local jurisdictions to implement regional water resource programs.
Provides technical guidance to Water Resources team and Department Director related to water quality, water production and consumption, water conservation projects, and water well installation, maintenance, and replacement.
Provides support for water right processing and management.
Coordinates and assists with utility compliance under state and federal laws.
Coordinates, conducts, documents, and reports on field activities, including water quality monitoring and inspection of public and private facilities.
Write proposals, project reports, and other documents related to water resource subjects.
Provide technical expertise internally and externally for water resource programs, including serving as a liaison to other departments to perform project reviews, coordinate field inspections, and provide guidance in the interpretation and application of local, state, and federal regulations.
Prepares grant applications, manages grant-funded projects, and prepares reports to state and federal agencies.
Responds to public requests and concerns for water-related issues and provides technical assistance for management and maintenance of public drinking water production and treatment facilities.
Provide support for capital facility projects.
Prepares informative materials and assists in the coordination of public education and outreach related to water.
Coordinates mapping of water resources infrastructure with City’s GIS Coordinator.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of water management principles, practices, and programs.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs, including Access databases, asset management and GIS systems. Knowledge and experience with field data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Ability to use and understand terminology, methods, practices, and techniques of water resources and/or habitat management.
Experience teaching and comfort with public speaking; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to understand plot plans, plats, specifications, site maps, aerial photos, and topographical maps.
Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a service-oriented team.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public; follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing, read and interpret regulations and city codes. Ability to work in an open office space.
Knowledge of storm, water and wastewater programs, water rights, wellhead protection, water conservation, hydrology, and water quality; or Considerable knowledge in specialty area of drinking water system management, treatment, and water conservation programs.
Ability to communicate and present program information to audiences of various backgrounds and levels of sophistication; develop program support and media materials; prepare long-range plans to accomplish specific goals and objectives.
Water Specialty: Knowledge of the principles and practices of drinking water systems design and construction, implementation of water conservation programs and tracking programs.
Water Specialty: Ability to prepare samples and evaluate water quality results and result trends; and maintain databases.
Water and Stormwater Specialty: Familiar with applicable City, State and Federal drinking water or stormwater regulations.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in environmental, ecological or watershed science, engineering, habitat restoration or related fields, or any equivalent combination of experience and training and three years of relevant experience in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications: Previous public sector experience developing and implementing water-related programs, policies, conservation plans, and/or drought response is desired.
Training/Licenses/Certifications:
Possession of a valid Washington State Driver’s License is required.
Contacts: Other city staff and supervisors, the public, advisory/citizen groups, City Council, elected officials, contractors, vendors/manufacturers, and the media. The incumbent will have daily contact with assigned staff for the purpose of supervision, direction, work coordination, and information sharing/gathering.
Supervision: Supervision is provided by the Water Resources and Sustainability Program Manager through general review and evaluation of work results and products. Subject matter guidance and general direction shall also be provided by the WRS Senior Specialist. The Water Resource Specialist for Water Conservation is responsible for independent analysis of water issues.
Accountability: The Water Resources Specialist is accountable for the successful completion of the assigned projects and tasks.
Working Conditions: Positions in this class require regular attendance and frequently work in both the office (remotely) and field in various weather conditions. Normal working conditions include repeated long periods of sitting at a desk working at a computer, driving between work sites, mobility at work sites conducting inspections and using analytical equipment, working above ground, below ground and in enclosed spaces, occasional lifting of objects up to 20 lbs.,and being subject to frequent distractions, noises, odors and interruptions.
Position requires occasional ability to work a flexible schedule including weekend and evening events.
Physical Requirements: Work is often performed in an office and field setting.
Specific physical requirements and typical working conditions for this position are on file in the Administrative Services Department.
The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.
Salary : $80,784 - $108,252
