Water Agency Engineer I - Extra Help

County of Sonoma; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Sonoma Water seeks a Water Agency Engineer I - Extra Help to work on hydrologic data analysis and water supply planning within Environmental Resources and Operations and Engineering Divisions. You will compile data, prepare system reports, and support modeling efforts for the Russian River watershed.

The role emphasizes teamwork with biologists, engineers, planners, regulators, and other stakeholders. A degree related to water resources engineering or hydrologic sciences is highly desirable,

Qualifications

• Experience: No experience required.
• Education: Four-year college degree or Engineer-in-Training certificate per CA requirements.
• License: Valid CA driver's license to perform essential functions.

Responsibilities

• Analyze hydrologic data and prepare system reports for water supply and watershed planning.
• Contribute to surface water and groundwater quality sampling and infrastructure assessments.
• Support Russian River hydrologic and hydraulic modeling.

Skills

Engineering knowledge

Analytical techniques

Technical writing

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil/mechanical/electrical engineering

Tools

Excel

Access

SQL

MATLAB

Python/Jupyter

Job description

Position Information

Grow your water resources engineering career with a development opportunity at the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water).

As a Water Agency Engineer I - Extra Help, you will work independently and collaboratively on projects within Sonoma Water's Environmental Resources and Operations and Engineering Divisions. You will also work on complex water supply planning initiatives with other members of the Resource Planning Section. Additional responsibilities include:

• Compiling and analyzing hydrologic data from the Russian River watershed
• Preparing system reports for water supply, water rights, watershed planning, and conducting studies, and other submittals
• Contributing to surface water and groundwater quality sampling, stream discharge measurements, and infrastructure assessments
• Supporting Russian River hydrologic and hydraulic modeling

The ideal candidate for this position will have some experience and/or knowledge of how to effectively:

• Analyze complicated hydrologic information using numerical and analytical techniques
• Participate on a project with a diverse team of biologists, engineers, planners, regulators, etc.
• Apply physical and chemical processes to surface, groundwater, and watershed hydrology
• Create and utilize spreadsheets using programs such as Microsoft Excel and Access, SQL, and scripting tools such as MatLab and Python/Jupyter Notebook
• Experience at the graduate level or a graduate degree in water resources engineering or hydrologic sciences is highly desirable.

About Sonoma Water

Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of the following divisions Engineering and Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Community and Government Affairs, Water and Wastewater Operations, Maintenance, and Administrative Services. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water conservation and fishery restoration programs.

Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of a special district and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma.

Extra-Help Employment

Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage, accrual of vacation, participation in the County retirement program, or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.

Sonoma Water is recruiting to fill a temporary, extra-help Water Agency Engineer I position. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

*Salary is negotiable within the established range.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: No experience required.

Education: Any combination of education and training that would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering; OR possession of a valid certificate as Engineer-in-Training issued by the State of California Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Other Requirements

License: Possession of a valid California driver's license at the appropriate level, including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement does require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: civil, electrical and/or mechanical engineering principles, practices and methods with particular reference to the planning, design, construction and operation of water and wastewater facilities, and the design and construction of flood control projects; statistics and advanced mathematics; topographic and construction surveying, stress analysis, analytical mechanics and the strength, properties and uses of construction materials; common methods and equipment utilized in engineering construction and of inspection methods used in reviewing such work; engineering design, drafting methods and equipment.

Ability to: prepare less complex designs and make accurate drawings and maps; make accurate mathematical calculations and neat and accurate field notes; develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of representatives from governmental and private agencies, construction and consultant contractors, coworkers and the public; and write clearly and concisely in order to prepare technical reports, correspondence, and maintain records.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination: An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.