Senior Water Resources Planner

Irvine Ranch Water District•Irvine, CA

44d•Onsite

About The Position

Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for a Senior Water Resources Plannerin the Water Resources & Environmental Compliance Department. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until filled. The deadline for the next review of applications is 8:00 AM on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment.This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline. Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com. Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world. IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions. Under general direction, plans, organizes and implements innovative projects related to water resources development and management. Coordinates and oversees various planning efforts and serves as project manager. Performs complex technical analyses on a broad range of assignments involving, surface and groundwater resources, supply reliability, groundwater banking, water quality and salt management. Incumbents may be assigned to a variety of projects and to specific specialty areas. This is the advanced level in the Water Resources Planner series performing complex assignments and typically serving in a lead capacity. These assignments require considerable technical skill, specialized knowledge and independent judgment. This position is distinguished from the lower-level positions in the series by the level of experience and technical specialization and the level of responsibility over these areas. This position is distinguished from the Senior Energy and Water Resources Planner by its primary focus on the development and implementation of groundwater banking programs or complex water resources modeling and analyses, as assigned. The work requires a highly organized and detailed minded professional that is a flexible self-starter with broad experience and demonstrated abilities to pursue water resource projects from concept to operation. Effective inter-agency relationship builder with negotiation and communication skills to lead the development and implementation of innovative water management programs. Capable of presenting new ideas and programs to the Board of Directors and outside agencies. Excellent verbal, written and public speaking skills. An innovative leader who can effectively lead staff and consultants to work as a team to "get the project done".

Requirements

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
A combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in engineering, geology, economics, business or environmental science or a related field.
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in water resource planning and project management.
Understanding of California water rights, California water supply systems, groundwater aquifer systems, water transfers, and exchanges is preferred.
A valid Class 'C' California Driver's License is required.
Principles and practices of project management, surface and groundwater resource management and planning as well as water rights.. Knowledge of geohydrology is desirable.
Current state, federal and local water policies and water issues.
Understanding of advanced principles and mathematical reasoning and the ability to successfully apply that knowledge to solve scientific and mathematical problems.
Communicate effectively with office/field employees, management as well as other agencies.
Effectively apply advanced skills in water resources related spreadsheet modeling.
Prepare maps, graphs, plans, charts, and diagrams.
Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside professional organizations and vendors.
Explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards, as well as follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.
Add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate percentages.
Apply advanced principles and mathematical reasoning to solve scientific and mathematical problems.
Proficient in the use of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel). Highly competent with word processing, spreadsheets, databases.
Keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job.
Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions.
Remain calm in crisis and emergency situations.
Use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree desired. For degrees obtained outside of the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.
Professional license in engineering or geology is desirable
Knowledge of geohydrology is desirable.

Responsibilities

Plan, evaluate and develop water resource programs and opportunities involving other water agencies.
Conduct complex financial, economic or hydrologic modeling analyses related to water resources, supply reliability, salt management or water infrastructure projects programs as assigned.
Develop and review detailed technical data and reports related to water resources, water rights, water quality, hydrologic modeling, salt management, supply reliability, as well as surface and groundwater management.
Participate in the planning of water resource projects involving water conveyance, recharge and recovery facilities.
Review and oversee work performed by consultants.
Prepare Requests for Proposals for retaining consultants on water resources projects.
Prepare and review detailed proposals, term sheets and contracts.
Prepare, review and present agenda items and supporting materials for Committee and Board consideration.
Prepare correspondence and technical reports in a professional manner.
Track industry developments and emerging technologies involving water resources management.
Serve on various industry committees as needed as a representative of IRWD.
Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
Perform other related duties as assigned.