Water Resources Specialist

City of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Barbara is seeking a Water Resources Specialist to manage water resources, enforce water-related codes, and lead conservation initiatives. The role emphasizes customer service, data analysis, and collaboration with multiple divisions to ensure a reliable water supply and efficient usage.

Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree and experience with water conservation programs, meter management, and land development coordination within a municipal setting.

Qualifications

• Experience with customer service in a public or utility setting is a plus.
• Strong data analysis and reporting abilities.
• Familiarity with water conservation programs and municipal codes.

Responsibilities

• Provide exemplary customer service for water-related requests and land development tasks.
• Lead customer service for meter services, landscape water efficiency, and related letters.
• Review development plans for compliance with meter regulations and water policies.
• Coordinate with Water Systems Division on land development and metering issues.
• Perform field inspections for projects under Water Efficient Landscape Standards.
• Generate reports, analyze water-use trends, and support conservation efforts.
• Conduct water audits and provide recommendations to improve efficiency.
• Promote and support water conservation programs and rebate initiatives.
• Assist in managing utility billing data and water rates where needed.

Skills

Customer service

Water resources planning

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

The Water Resources Department provides essential water and wastewater services that support the community’s health, environment, and quality of life. The department ensures a safe and reliable supply of high-quality drinking water, promotes water conservation, and collects and treats wastewater efficiently and responsibly.

The department manages a broad range of operations and infrastructure across five divisions: Administration, Special Projects, Wastewater System, Water Supply and Services, and Water System. These include water treatment and distribution, groundwater and reservoir management, wastewater treatment, recycled water, sewer collection systems, water conservation, metering, capital improvement projects, and related technology and special projects.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Department is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Water Resources Specialist. Under supervision performs a range of duties related to the management of the City’s water resources, administering elements of the City’s municipal code in relation to water-related land development, administering elements of the City’s water conservation program, and performing a variety of technical tasks within the City’s Water Supply and Services Division. Typical duties may include:

• Provide exemplary customer service by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, and respectful.
• Serve as the lead customer service representative for water-related land development tasks, including new services, metering, customer account classification, landscape water efficiency, Can and Will Serve Letters, and capacity charges.
• Review land development applications and plans for compliance with City’s water metering regulations.
• Serve as contact with Water Systems Division on land development and metering issues.
• Review land development plans and perform field inspections for projects subject to the City’s Water Efficient Landscape Standards.
• Provide site visits in support of the City’s landdevelopment and water conservation programs.
• Generates reports, analyzes trends, and interprets water use data from Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to assist customers and enhance water conservation measures.
• Provide water conservation phone evaluations, including home, irrigation and business water audits and makes recommendations to improve efficiency.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and promoting the City’s water efficient landscape program, including rebate program management; management of landscape water consumption and water budget data; dedicated irrigation meter program management; and public outreach regarding efficient landscape water use.
• Serve as lead for Water Resources Division on the City’s utility billing system, including customer account management, database analysis, and water and wastewater rates and fees. Administer process for updating City’s water rates and fees and administer Reserved Capacity Fees.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Basic operations, services, and activities of water conservation programs, utility account management, water distribution and water supply planning.
• Principles and practices of research, analysis, and report preparation.
• Recent developments, current literature and information related to water conservation.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and safety regulations.
• Principles and practices of program development and implementation.

Ability to:

• Providing effective and courteous customer service.
• Contribute to the City’s Water Supply planning efforts.
• Provide site visits for domestic and recycled water-related activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including the general public.
• Interpret and explain City policies and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience using complex databases, spreadsheet and database software and preparing comprehensive reports.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

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

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in resource conservation programs, water supply planning and administration, and/or public outreach, preferably with a public utility or municipality.

Education and/or Training:

• Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, communications, environmental studies/sciences, water resources, engineering, public or business administration or a related field.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer