Water Conservation and Planning Specialist

SOWELA Technical Community College; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Zone 7 Water Agency is seeking a Water Conservation and Planning Specialist to support the Water Resources Division. The role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating water conservation programs, conducting water audits, and providing outreach across communities.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, at least one year of water resources experience, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field.
• One year of full-time professional experience in water resources or closely related field.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license.
• Strong communication and public outreach capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, develop, implement, and carry out water conservation programs.
• Review landscape and water resources plans, provide consultations, and conduct water audits.
• Prepare reports, present to diverse audiences, and maintain detailed records.
• Engage with community, agencies, consultants, and public stakeholders.

Skills

Budget management

Public outreach

Data analysis

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Public relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

Water Conservation and Planning Specialist

Recruitment began on August 18, 2026

and the job listing Expires on September 18, 2026

Under general supervision, provides a variety of office and field water conservation and water resources planning duties; plans, organizes, develops, implements, and carries out duties in support of the Zone 7 Water Agency's (Agency) Water Resources Division, establishes and maintains detailed and interrelated record-keeping systems; reviews, evaluates, inspects landscape and water resources plans and projects; provides water conservation consultation and equipment to consumers; supports outreach efforts; conducts water audits; instructs on water audit methods; and performs related work as required.

The Water Conservation and Planning Specialist, Zone 7 classification is located in the Water Resources Division in the Zone 7 Water Agency and reports to the Principal Water Resources Planner. The position serves as the Agency's representative to the community in the implementation of Water Conservation programs. The employee reviews and evaluates landscape and other water conservation plans and projects, supports outreach on water conservation; and supports water resources planning. This classification involves frequent contact with the community and stakeholders in situations that require technical expertise, effective communication, and public relations skills.

The ideal candidate will be an adaptable, proactive professional who exercises sound judgment, manages responsibilities with minimal supervision, and demonstrates the following competencies:

• The ability to plan, implement, evaluate, and report on programs and projects, including managing budgets and conducting outreach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing reports and delivering presentations to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop practical recommendations.
• Initiative and a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across multidisciplinary teams and with external stakeholders.
• Experience engaging effectively with public agencies, regulatory agencies, consultants, community organizations, and members of the public.
• The ability to quickly learn new subject areas, apply existing skills to unfamiliar assignments, and effectively balance analytical responsibilities with customer and stakeholder engagement.

TO QUALIFY FOR THE COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT PROCESS, YOU MUST MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW.

Education: The possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental science, physical science, urban planning, natural resources management, water resources, public administration, business administration, sociology, public relations, water conservation, landscape architecture, horticulture, engineering, or a related field.

AND

Experience: The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time professional experience in the water resources field or a closely related field, performing water conservation, planning, irrigation/landscape, or water resources management/engineering duties.

Licenses: Possession of a valid California driver's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Water conservation and sustainable landscapes and/or environmental planning.
• Maintaining records and databases.
• Techniques of working with the public on an individual or group basis.
• Principles of effective oral and written communication, including strong editing skills.
• Intermediate knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Basic principles and applications of public relations and outreach.
• Data collection and analysis, sampling methods and equipment.
• Mathematics and algebra.
• Modern office methods, procedures, and equipment.
• Computer software applications.
• Codes, regulations, and standards related to water resources.

Ability to:

• Work effectively with team members, the public, governmental agencies, private companies, and community organizations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Communicate and work effectively with a variety of individuals, agencies, and organizations.
• Read, interpret, analyze, and process regulations, contracts, agreements, and a variety of technical and planning documents related to water conservation and water resources.
• Properly use equipment, tools, and instruments related to area of assignment, including those used for water resources monitoring.
• Operate computer systems to meet work unit needs.
• Analyze problems, examine alternatives, and recommend solutions.
• Gather, compile, and analyze data and information; prepare accurate reports and documents; and maintain complete and accurate records.
• Operate computer systems to meet work unit needs.
• Perform accurate mathematical calculations.
• Maintain complete and accurate records.
• Collect, compute, and analyze water resources and planning data.
• Perform basic maintenance and repair of electronic measuring and recording devices.
• Strong attention to detail in accurately performing work.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Requires willingness and ability to:

• Travel overnight or on weekends to attend conferences, meetings, and outreach and demonstration events.
• Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Work overtime as needed whether nights, weekends, or holidays.
• Possess sufficient agility, strength, and endurance to access and investigate sites, such as remote landscape areas, CIMIS stations, etc.
• Requires sufficient physical strength and agility to conduct tours of Zone 7 facilities and carry Agency equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

THE AGENCY

Zone 7 Water Agency is located in the Tri-Valley region of the eastern San Francisco Bay Area. It provides water on a wholesale basis to the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon, and flood-protection services to all of eastern Alameda County. Zone 7 employs approximately 116 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $80.3 million dollars. The Agency's administrative offices are located in Livermore, CA, the easternmost city of Alameda County, which is bordered by Contra Costa County to the north and San Joaquin County to the east. Livermore, California's oldest wine region, is known for the science and technology of its national laboratories, a historic downtown area, and the surrounding farmlands and ranches that mirror the Valley's western heritage.

Zone 7 employees are committed to providing a reliable supply of high-quality water and an effective flood control system to the Livermore-Amador Valley in a fiscally responsible, innovative, proactive and environmentally sensitive way. We invite you to acquaint yourself with our dynamic Agency and its exciting employment opportunities.

For more information regarding the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7 please visit their website at www.zone7water.com .