Senior Water Resources Specialist

~ The Santa Clara Valley Water District, with a history dating back to 1929, manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County’s 1.9 million residents. ~

The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, and nearly 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds, providing wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water to homes and businesses.

The water district is the flood control agency for Santa Clara County, annually preparing creeks for winter rains through levee maintenance, sediment removal, bank repair and vegetation management. We have invested more than $1 billion in flood protection efforts to protect nearly 100,000 parcels with many more projects planned.

Position Overview

The Senior Water Resources Specialist position will manage the development of high priority recycled and purified water projects in the Recycled and Purified Water Program Unit. This position will support Board direction to develop and expand recycled water projects to help reach our objective of at least 10% of annual recycled water production as a percentage of total County water demands by 2025. S/he will serve as a technical lead regarding engineering work and is in charge for much of the unit's external collaboration and cooperation efforts including various types of complex agreements.

The incumbent  will require to lead staff and manage comprehensive master plan including Countywide Water Reuse Master Plan and other recycled and purified water master planning. This position will be required to develop and review technical documents, plans, maps, high-level cost estimates, and also manage consultant and cost-sharing contracts/agreements.

Senior Water Resources Specialist will also require working closely with various unit internally and externally with State, Counties,  Cities, other agencies, and work with all the stakeholders/regulators regarding Potable Reuse. This position will be responsible for the coordination and collaboration with legislation, regulation, and permitting agencies regarding non-potable and potable reuse water. The Senior Water Resources Specialist will be responsible for researching for grant and loan opportunities for recycled water and completion of grant and loan applications.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate recycled and purified water efforts with Cities of Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Mountain View, as well as SFPUC/BAWSCA and the development of the agencies MOU and long-term agreement.
• Managing the Countrywide Water Reuse Master Plan.
• Program Development and Management.

Qualifications

Ideal Experience:

• Six (6) years of professional civil engineering experience in advanced water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water treatment  and/or in water/wastewater quality.
• Experience in developing master planning.
• Experience working and collaborating with external agencies (regulatory, municipalities and retailer) and stakeholders (including the public and others). 
• Experience negotiating and developing long and short-term agreements and MOU's.
• Experience in project management and supervising staff.

Ideal Knowledge:

• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts (well versed) of economic analysis and data analysis for projects.
• Be familiar with recycled or water distribution systems including pipelines pumps storage.
• Knowledge of CEQA and also know about how to get the permits for potable reuse projects.
• Good understanding of developing master plans for the county, recycled and purified water projects.

Ideal Ability:

• Listen to other perspectives/points of view and maintain a flexible and agreeable approach yet be firm on the mandatory needs of the project.
• Communicate effectively (both written and verbal).
• Work well collaboratively.
• Prioritize and conduct work with limited time/resources and not dropping communication with external stakeholders.
• Negotiate, prepare and administer complex agreements/contracts.
• Prepare and make presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

Ideal Training and Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil or other field of engineering.  

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

• Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education are considered ideal candidates for the position.
• To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria listed below.

License or Certificate:

• Some positions may require the possession of a valid license as a Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist issued by the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. 
• This position does not require registration. 
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
• Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.