Water Resources Engineer/Planner

Irvine Ranch Water District; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$15,000 sign-on bonus

Job summary

Irvine Ranch Water District in Irvine, CA is seeking a highly skilled professional to plan, organize and oversee surface and groundwater resource management and energy programs. This role manages complex analyses and coordinates multi-disciplinary teams to deliver projects from concept to operation.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, 5 years of water resources experience, and a professional license. Master’s degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, geology, economics, business or environmental science; Master’s degree desirable.
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in water resource planning and project management.
• Possession of a California Class C driver’s license may be required; P.E. or P.G. license required with substitution rules.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and implement innovative surface and groundwater programs and projects.
• Coordinate and oversee planning efforts; serve as project manager.
• Perform complex financial and engineering economic analyses.
• Develop detailed data reviews and reports for stakeholders and boards.
• Manage consultants, reviews proposals and contracts; ensure safety and compliance.

Skills

Water resources planning

Project management

Engineering economics

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, geology, economics, business or environmental science

Master’s degree desirable

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Job description

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until filled.

The deadline for the first review of applications is 8:00 AM on Monday, June 29, 2026. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment.This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.

This position is eligible for a $15,000 sign-on bonus to be paid over three years, upon General Manager approval.

The District:

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.

IRWD Values

Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The Position:

Under general direction, plans, organizes and implements innovative programs and projects related to surface and groundwater resource management, water infrastructure and energy management. Coordinates and oversees various planning efforts and serves as project manager. Performs complex technical analyses on a range of projects involving facility design, engineering economics, hydrologic and mathematic modeling, water quality, salt loading, surface and groundwater resources, supply reliability, groundwater banking, energy efficiency, energy management and risks and uncertainties.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

A highly organized and detailed minded professional that is a flexible self-starter with broad experience and demonstrated abilities to pursue, evaluate and manage water and energy projects involving engineering from concept to operation. Advanced negotiation and communication skills to lead the development and implementation of innovative water and energy management programs and projects. Capable of presenting new ideas and programs to the Board of Directors and outside agencies. Ability to manage groundwater management programs and projects involving multi-agencies. Excellent verbal, written and public speaking skills. An innovative leader who can effectively lead multi-disciplinary teams and consultants to work as a team to “get the project done”. This position is distinguished from the Senior Water Resources Planner by its primary focus on management of projects involving engineering and groundwater management.

Plans, evaluates and manages the development of water resource and energy management programs and projects.

Conducts complex financial and engineering economic analyses related to water resource and energy management programs and projects.

Conducts and/or oversees risk and uncertainty analyses of water resource programs and projects involving infrastructure, water supply reliability and salt management.

Develops and reviews detailed technical data and reports related to water resources, water rights, water quality, hydrologic modeling, energy efficiency and energy management.

Manages surface and groundwater resource projects involving storage, water conveyance, recharge and recovery facilities.

Reviews, manages, and oversees work performed by consultants.

Prepares Requests for Proposals for retaining consultants on water resources or energy management projects.

Reviews detailed proposals and contracts.

Prepares, reviews, and presents agenda items and supporting material for Committee and Board consideration.

Prepares correspondence and technical reports in a professional manner.

Tracks industry developments and emerging technologies involving water resources and energy management.

Serves on various industry committees as needed as a representative of IRWD.

Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in engineering, geology, economics, business or environmental science or a related field. Master’s Degree desired. For degrees obtained outside of the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.

Experience

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in water resource planning and project management. Demonstrated experience in energy efficiency and energy management fields is desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license may be required.

Registered Professional Engineer (P.E)* or Professional Geologist (P.G)* in the State of California is required. *Four (4) years of additional engineering experience, for a total of nine (9) years of experience, can be substituted for a P.E or P.G.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of project management, surface and groundwater resource management and planning as well as water rights.
• Current state, federal and local water policies and water issues.
• Understanding of advanced principles and mathematical reasoning and the ability to successfully apply that knowledge to solve scientific and mathematical problems.
• Understanding of engineering design, California water rights, water supply systems, groundwater aquifer systems, groundwater management, water transfers and exchanges.
• Risk and uncertainty modeling principles is preferred. Knowledge of groundwater hydrology in the Central Valley and Southern California is desirable.

Ability to

• Communicate effectively with office/field employees, management as well as other agencies.
• Effectively apply advanced skills in water resources related spreadsheet modeling.
• Prepare maps, graphs, plans, charts, and diagrams.
• Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside professional organizations and vendors.
• Explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards, as well as follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate percentages.
• Apply advanced principles and mathematical reasoning to solve scientific and mathematical problems.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel). Highly competent with word processing, spreadsheets, databases.
• Keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job.
• Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions.
• Remain calm in crisis and emergency situations.
• Use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Regularly required to sit, walk, bend, stoop and stand. Occasionally required to lift up to 25 lbs. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time while performing tasks at a desk or workstation. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. This may involve repetitive hand movements for extended periods. Ability to reach for documents, supplies, or equipment at varying heights (within a standard office environment) and grasp them, including the use of filing cabinets or shelves. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Occasional standing is required, such as when presenting. Some bending or stooping may be necessary to retrieve files or materials from lower shelves or desks. Good vision is necessary for reading documents, working with computer screens, and performing tasks that require fine detail. Ability to hear in a standard office environment for communication, phone calls, and meetings. Frequent verbal communication with team members, clients, and other stakeholders, including both in-person and virtual meetings, requiring clear speech and hearing. Occasional travel may be required to other worksites or conferences for meetings, training, or other work-related activities. The job may require sustained concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Ability to walk long distances over uneven terrain. The employee should be able to manage work-related stress in a fast-paced environment.

These physical demands may vary depending on the specific duties and expectations of the position.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Noise level is generally equivalent to a typical office environment. The office is maintained at a comfortable room temperature. The office is equipped with air conditioning and ventilation systems designed to maintain comfortable indoor air quality. The work area is equipped with adequate artificial lighting, supplemented by natural daylight from windows where available. The employee will work primarily at a desk, using a computer and other office equipment. The office complies with standard safety regulations, including the use of fire exits, first aid kits, and emergency procedures. Employees are expected to adhere to safety guidelines. The office environment is free from significant environmental hazards such as chemicals, heavy machinery, or extreme weather conditions. Occasional visits to construction sites where noise level may be higher than typical office environment. Ability to work in an environment which may expose employee to hazardous materials and environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.