Water Resources Supervisor

Management T5.5-5 - Exempt position

Base Annual Salary - $128,827.79 – $164,835.44*

Based on FY 25-26 Adopted Budget

Annual Merit Pay – Additional 5% based upon performance*

SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Assistant General Manager, this position provides strategic and day-to-day direction and oversight of the District’s water resources functions and initiatives, including participation in a wide range of District activities related to water resources management, planning and operations, modeling of groundwater and surface water occurrence and flows, water supply project assessment and development, optimization of conjunctive-use projects and monitoring networks, saline intrusion, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation, water rights reporting, routine data collection and management, and interactions with policy groups, regulators and the public.  This is a full-time management-exempt position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILIITES

Reporting to the Assistant General Manager, the Water Resources Supervisor position has supervisory responsibility for positions within the Water Resources Department including full-time exempt positions and full-time nonexempt positions.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Board of Directors, General Manager and Assistant General Manager by providing leadership in the development and implementation of District objectives, strategies, programs, roles and policies related to water resources, including supporting the Board of Director’s Water Resources Committee.
• In coordination with the Assistant General Manager, supervise Water Resources Department staff and provide direction and leadership to ensure District and departmental goals are met.
• Mentor staff and oversee staff development.
• Supervise and coordinate assignments and activities related to applicable District functions to ensure that District objectives related to surface water and groundwater issues are being met.
• Oversee and manage the development and implementation of various studies, plans, reports, and monitoring programs addressing specific groundwater supply and water quality issues, and surface water issues, as necessary or required, in support of the goals and mission of the District as described in its Strategic Plan, including long-term water supply sustainability.

• Provide supervision and direction regarding the calibration of automated gauges and stage-discharge relationships at Freeman Diversion and other locations.
• Supervise the program of water releases from Santa Felicia Dam by evaluating District-wide water conditions, convening staff meetings as necessary, and making recommendations to District management on the optimal timing and rates for water releases.   Advise operations and maintenance staff.
• Advise and coordinate management of the District’s State Water importation program by making recommendations to District management for annual purchase amounts, pursue and negotiate SWP water transfers with the State Water Contractors (SWC) and maintain good working relationships with them, and coordinate orders for State Water with the Administrative Services Department.

• Supervise and assign technical work and fieldwork associated with the collection of geologic, groundwater, and related hydrologic data.

• Supervise staff responsible for managing and requesting water releases from Castaic and Pyramid Lakes, including coordinating releases with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), understanding contractual requirements, and verifying the amounts of water received.  
• Review technical reports and hydraulic modeling results pertaining to Santa Felicia Dam or other facilities and provide support to Engineering and Operations.
• Negotiate or participate in negotiations with outside agencies from the perspective of preserving the District’s water supplies for the benefit of United’s customers.   
• Supervise the District’s water rights reporting requirements, management and gathering of the information necessary to file the required reports, and review necessary correspondence related to water rights.
• May provide guidance and instructions to technicians and internal/external biologists with respect to hydrological data acquisition, facility operations, and permit requirements for surface water flows for environmental purposes.  

• Monitor and direct staff to evaluate the activities of other agencies that may affect the District's water supply. Advise District management of any such activities that may adversely affect the District.  
• Represent the District and its mission, policies, and operations as they relate to water resources and supply issues with governmental agencies, policy groups, various other organizations, and the public.
• Advise and coordinate the District’s technical efforts to support local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) in  implementing and updating their Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs).
• Lead the preparation and implementation of the Water Resources Department budget and help ensure that department expenses stay within the budget to the extent possible.
• Provide oversight of agreements with consultants hired to assist the District with studies or projects.
• Provide technical support for the legal and financial positions held by the District, including serving as an expert witness when the District is involved in legal actions.
• Assist with District efforts to comply with CEQA and NEPA requirements, and other permits as needed, in collaboration with the Environmental Services Department and the District lead for the projects.
• Assist with District outreach programs and events including guided tours of the District facilities and other outreach efforts such as presentations to various groups.
• Maintain good working relationships with District staff and key representatives from other agencies and organizations.
• Ensure departmental compliance with District safety programs including adherence to all related laws and regulations.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Hydrology, hydraulics, geology, hydrogeology, groundwater basin management, water quality, and modeling of surface and groundwater.
• Functions, procedures, and organization of state and federal government agencies with authority over water issues. Federal and State regulations associated with groundwater and surface water quality standards.

• Procedures and strategies associated with development and implementation of water supply projects and mitigating overdraft.

• Current software and technology necessary to keep up with work tasks.
• Principles and practices of supervision and management of projects, contracts, schedules, and budgets.

Ability to:

• Direct and participate in advanced administrative and operational activities related to finance, human resources, risk management, public outreach, legislative review analysis, and information technology.
• Coordinate program areas with other District departments and outside agencies.
• Communicate technical information related to water resources to other technical and non-technical District staff.
• Monitor current federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, and policies that may impact on assigned areas of responsibility.
• Apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.        
• Read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
• Respond appropriately to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Plan, organize, and direct staff workload.
• Supervise, mentor, and empower staff to perform to the high standards expected by the District.
• Manage project budgets and project schedules related to the Department activities.
• Effectively operate a personal computer and necessary software.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Make effective and persuasive oral presentations on controversial or complex topics to District management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District staff, the Board of Directors, outside agencies, and the public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Geology, Hydrology, or Engineering from a four-year college or university, along with at least eight (8) years of broad and extensive professional geologic and hydrogeologic experience, including at least eight (8) years experience as a Geologist, Hydrologist or hydrogeologist is required.  
• A master’s degree or Ph.D. in Geology, Hydrology, Engineering, or Water Resources Management is strongly preferred.
• Experience with water resources investigation and management, involving the integration and optimization of multiple sources of supply (e.g., groundwater, surface water, and imported water) in one or more watersheds in Southern California, is preferred.
• Supervisory and project management experience is strongly preferred.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License is required.
• State or National licensing or certification as a Geologist, Hydrogeologist, Hydrologist, or Engineer, or meeting the experience and education requirements for such certification or licensing, is strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed primarily indoors, but also outdoors.  Outdoor conditions may include rain, high winds, and unusually high or low regional temperatures and exposure to outside elements. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may also be occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and high, precarious places.  The following are additional requirements of the position:

• Mobility: Job tasks are varied and require sitting, standing, walking (sometimes on uneven terrain), climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and swimming.
• Lifting: frequent lifting up to 20 pounds; occasional lifting up to 60 pounds.
• Vision: constant use of overall vision, including near vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Dexterity: occasional grasping, fine manipulation, reaching, pushing, and pulling; occasional use of touch to distinguish or identify objects.
• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
• Emotional/Psychological: frequent contact with coworkers and others; depending on assignment, may also frequently work alone.  The employee is also expected to respond in emergency situations.
• Environmental: exposure to moderate noise levels but hearing protection must be worn in certain areas; occasional exposure to chemicals; occasionally uses smell to distinguish or identify objects.

Salary : $128,828 - $164,835