Water Conservation Technician

City of Leander; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Leander is seeking a field and office assistant focused on promoting water efficiency for a community of nearly 100,000 residents. You will work in the field with customers and in an office setting handling data, reports, and scheduling for irrigation inspections and conservation events.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma and at least 1 year in water resources or local government; a related degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and 1 year of experience in water resources or local government.
• Preferred: Bachelor's or associate's degree in Biology, Geology, Geography, Environmental Sciences & Policy, Agriculture, Engineering, Communications, Public Administration or related field.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel.

Responsibilities

• Administrate the city's commercial irrigation inspections program, including sending notices to customers and filing inspection reports.
• Perform customer irrigation system evaluations.
• Provide basic office functions, such as computer and Excel support.
• Attend and assist with planning and promotion of water conservation program events.
• Attend occasional Saturday events such as festivals to promote water conservation.
• Respond to requests for assistance from the public.
• Assign and track customer watering variances.
• Attend informational and training events to acquire and maintain water conservation knowledge.
• Assist the backflow prevention specialist with certain tasks when needed.
• Take part in enforcement efforts including spotting watering violations and coordinating with Code Enforcement and customers to gain compliance.
• Develop knowledge of City of Leander ordinances related to irrigation, landscaping and cross-connection control.

Skills

Water conservation interest

MS Office / Excel

Communication skills

Irrigator license

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's or associate's degree (Biology, Geology, Geography, Environmental Sciences & Policy, Agriculture, Engineering, Communications, Public Administration) or related field

Tools

GIS mapping

Data entry systems

Presentation software

Word/PowerPoint

Job description

This position will be required to promote water efficiency in a city of nearly 100,000 residents. The candidate can expect to work both in the field with customers and doing office support work related to water conservation efforts. These efforts include promotion of efficient landscape irrigation, smart water use indoors, and longer-term strategies including the use of drought-tolerant landscaping by our customers. Good verbal and written communication skills will be needed, along with an understanding of the importance of maintaining records and data and the ability to carry out that task on a continuing basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administrate the city's commercial irrigation inspections program, including sending notices to customers and receiving and filing inspection reports related to these inspections
• Perform customer irrigation system evaluations
• Provide basic office functions, such as computer and excel support
• Attend and assist with planning and promotion of water conservation program events
• Attend occasional Saturday events such as festivals to promote water conservation
• Respond to requests for assistance from the public
• Assign and track customer watering variances
• Attend informational and training events to acquire and maintain water conservation knowledge
• Assist the backflow prevention specialist with certain tasks when needed.
• Take part in enforcement efforts including spotting watering violations and coordinating with Code Enforcement and customers to gain compliance.
• Develop knowledge of City of Leander ordinances related to irrigation, landscaping and cross-connection control.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma and one year of experience working in water resources, water conservation, or for a local government.

Preferred Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's or associate's degree in Biology, Geology, Geography, Environmental Sciences & Policy, Agriculture, Engineering, Communications, Public Administration or related field.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interest in water conservation for a municipal government.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, city staff and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency in both oral and written communication.
• Skilled in operating computers and utilizing Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), data entry systems, and presentation software; familiarity with data analysis tools and GIS mapping is a plus.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage scheduling, meet deadlines, and maintain dependability in a fast-paced environment.
• Must possess an irrigator's license or be able to obtain this license through city-supplied courses within nine months of hire.
• Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate with other employees and the public in a courteous and diplomatic manner.
• Must be able to wear city provided uniform and city issued personal protective equipment, work boots, gloves, eye protection, head protection, safety vest, and ear protection.
• Workers must be able to follow safety procedures and use safety equipment to ensure personal, public, and personnel safety.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle and feel items, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to lift or move 50 lbs. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Working Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; extreme cold and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally loud.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.