Associate Engineer / Associate Water Resources Specialist

Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA); San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 151,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Water is seeking an Associate Engineer or Associate Water Resources Specialist to support watershed and water utility projects by developing software tools for flood forecasting, emergency alerting, data ingestion, GIS analysis, and real-time operations. The role may include hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, field data collection, and environmental data analysis.

Candidates should have four years of professional water resources experience and strong programming skills (Python, Pandas/NumPy)

Qualifications

• Experience working with geospatial datasets and GIS software, such as QGIS or ArcGIS.
• Experience analyzing complex water resources data and communicating findings and recommendations.
• Experience processing large environmental time-series datasets and integrating data from multiple sources.
• Experience conducting field investigations and collecting data for water resources projects.
• Experience developing production-quality software to support water resources engineering and scientific applications, such as hydrologic modeling, water supply analysis, or environmental data analysis, using Python (including libraries such as Pandas and NumPy), Java, or a similar programming language is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Software feature development and maintenance/upkeep of existing water operation tools and systems.
• Develop new software tools for large scale hydrologic modeling and statistical analyses.
• Assist in wholistic management, collection, and review process for hydrologic data.
• Perform and review hydrologic and hydraulic modeling analyses.
• Perform stream restoration and geomorphic analyses.
• Perform field work and data collection.

Skills

Geospatial GIS

Python programming

Data analysis

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Water resources management

Tools

Git

AWS

Databases

Job description

Associate Engineer - Civil

$151,049.60 - $193,377.60 Annually

Associate Water Resources Specialist

$151,049.60 - $193,377.60 Annually

Overview

Make an impact on flood protection and water resource management!

Valley Water is seeking an Associate Engineer/Associate Water Resources Specialist to support critical watershed and water utility projects through developing software tools. Applications may include flood forecasting, emergency alerting, database management, data ingestion, front-end GUIs, and digital twin development. Data would include both geospatial and time-series types. This primary function will work closely with a small team to push the boundaries of water management and emergency flood operations.

In addition, this position may involve hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, engineering, scientific data analysis, and field work near waterways. This position offers an exciting opportunity to unify the traditional water engineering field with software development to create tools that run for real-time operation and ad-hoc research. Our team also has the infrastructure resources to expand and iterate quickly. The ideal candidate will have experience in software development and data analysis, with a foundation and background in water resources. Knowledge of environmental data collection/management is highly desirable. A positive attitude and a collaborative spirit is also a must!

This is a single position, for which the incumbent would be hired as either an Associate Engineer or an Associate Water Resources Specialist. There are multiple ways a candidate may develop the skills and experience required to be successful in this role. Depending on the background and experience of the selected candidate, the exact classification will be determined at point of hire.

Our Commitment

We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water

Valley Water’s mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. The FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget of $1.284 billion supports approximately 876 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Who We Are

To learn how Valley Water provides safe, clean water and environmental stewardship for the Santa Clara community, please click here.

Key Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Software feature development and maintenance/upkeep of existing water operation tools and systems.
• Develop new software tools for large scale hydrologic modeling and statistical analyses.
• Assist in wholistic management, collection, and review process for hydrologic data.
• Perform and review hydrologic and hydraulic modeling analyses.
• Perform stream restoration and geomorphic analyses.
• Perform field work and data collection.

Ideal Candidate’s Background Includes

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience

Associate Engineer: Four (4) years of professional water resources engineering experience.

Associate Water Resources Specialist: Four (4) years of professional-level experience with environmental data collection, water supply planning or distribution, groundwater management, or hydrogeology.

Ideal experience for both classifications

• Experience working with geospatial datasets and GIS software, such as QGIS or ArcGIS.
• Experience analyzing complex water resources data and communicating findings and recommendations.
• Experience processing large environmental time-series datasets and integrating data from multiple sources.
• Experience conducting field investigations and collecting data for water resources projects.
• Experience developing production-quality software to support water resources engineering and scientific applications, such as hydrologic modeling, water supply analysis, or environmental data analysis, using Python (including libraries such as Pandas and NumPy), Java, or a similar programming language is highly preferred.

Ideal Skills and Abilities for both classifications

• Understand the water resources industry and the needs of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental data water supply, flood protection, and environmental stewardship.
• Understand computer coding, data structures, and algorithms.
• Curious, self-motivated, and eager to learn new technologies and methodologies.
• Demonstrates punctuality and a strong sense of responsibility for deadlines and commitments.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a collaborative environment.

Ideal Knowledge

• Understanding principles, practices, theories, and concepts of water resources engineering and science.
• Data collection, telemetry, and calibration techniques for environmental datasets.
• Have familiarity with software engineering principles, modular architecture, system design, and unit testing, along with using Git, AWS, and database systems.

Ideal Training and Education

Associate Engineer: Graduation from an accreditedfour-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a field related to assigned functional area(s).

Associate Water Resources Specialist: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in water resources management, natural resources management, planning, civil or other field of engineering, geology, physical sciences, earth sciences, natural sciences or a field related to assigned functional area(s).

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Hydrology, Hydraulics and Geomorphology Unit (Position Code 402)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite (after a month).

1. The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
2. The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.

Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.