Water Resources Specialist

City of Santa Barbara•Santa Barbara, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Department provides essential water and wastewater services that support the community’s health, environment, and quality of life. The department ensures a safe and reliable supply of high-quality drinking water, promotes water conservation, and collects and treats wastewater efficiently and responsibly. The department manages a broad range of operations and infrastructure across five divisions: Administration, Special Projects, Wastewater System, Water Supply and Services, and Water System. These include water treatment and distribution, groundwater and reservoir management, wastewater treatment, recycled water, sewer collection systems, water conservation, metering, capital improvement projects, and related technology and special projects. The City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Department is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Water Resources Specialist. Under supervision performs a range of duties related to the management of the City’s water resources, administering elements of the City’s municipal code in relation to water-related land development, administering elements of the City’s water conservation program, and performing a variety of technical tasks within the City’s Water Supply and Services Division.

Requirements

Basic operations, services, and activities of water conservation programs, utility account management, water distribution and water supply planning.
Principles and practices of research, analysis, and report preparation.
Recent developments, current literature and information related to water conservation.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and safety regulations.
Principles and practices of program development and implementation.
Providing effective and courteous customer service.
Contribute to the City’s Water Supply planning efforts.
Provide site visits for domestic and recycled water-related activities.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including the general public.
Interpret and explain City policies and procedures.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Experience using complex databases, spreadsheet and database software and preparing comprehensive reports.
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in resource conservation programs, water supply planning and administration, and/or public outreach, preferably with a public utility or municipality.
Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, communications, environmental studies/sciences, water resources, engineering, public or business administration or a related field.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Responsibilities

Provide exemplary customer service by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, and respectful.
Serve as the lead customer service representative for water-related land development tasks, including new services, metering, customer account classification, landscape water efficiency, Can and Will Serve Letters, and capacity charges.
Review land development applications and plans for compliance with City’s water metering regulations.
Serve as contact with Water Systems Division on land development and metering issues.
Review land development plans and perform field inspections for projects subject to the City’s Water Efficient Landscape Standards.
Provide site visits in support of the City’s land development and water conservation programs.
Generates reports, analyzes trends, and interprets water use data from Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to assist customers and enhance water conservation measures.
Provide water conservation phone evaluations, including home, irrigation and business water audits and makes recommendations to improve efficiency.
Assist in developing, implementing, and promoting the City’s water efficient landscape program, including rebate program management; management of landscape water consumption and water budget data; dedicated irrigation meter program management; and public outreach regarding efficient landscape water use.
Serve as lead for Water Resources Division on the City’s utility billing system, including customer account management, database analysis, and water and wastewater rates and fees.
Administer process for updating City’s water rates and fees and administer Reserved Capacity Fees.
Other related duties as assigned.