Assistant Water Resources Specialist I/II (Limited Term)

Assistant Water Resources Specialist I/II (Limited Term)

Salary

See Position Description

Location

5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

01998-LT

Division

Watersheds Operations and Maintenance

Unit

Operations and Maintenance Environmental Support

Opening Date

07/09/2026

Closing Date

7/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Assistant Water Resources Specialist I: $118,060.80 - $151,049.60 Annually

Assistant Water Resources Specialist II: $130,312.00 - $166,795.20 Annually

Overview:

Valley Water is seeking Assistant Water Resources Specialist I/II (AWRS) to join our Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Environmental Support Unit on a 2-year limited term basis. This is a professional role responsible for providing technical, regulatory, and programmatic support for the implementation of the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP) and broader environmental services that support Watersheds O&M. This position serves as a key technical resource for environmental compliance and project coordination necessary to ensure the successful delivery of one of Valley Water's highest-priority maintenance programs.

The AWRS performs environmental planning, and compliance functions that are essential to implementing the SMP and other Watersheds O&M activities. Responsibilities include assisting with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), state, and federal permit compliance. The position also supports the planning and execution of environmental monitoring activities, including water quality and sediment sampling, testing, and reporting necessary to maintain regulatory compliance.

The AWRS plays a role in maintaining program continuity by coordinating environmental review schedules, preparing technical analyses, and supporting implementation of maintenance projects within the regulatory work window.

Our Commitment:

We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:

Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Who We Are:

To learn how Valley Water provides safe, clean water and environmental stewardship for the Santa Clara community, please click here

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Sediment characterization sampling, analysis, and planning effort for Watersheds O&M, SMP and other Valley Water construction work. This includes physical sampling, consultant oversight, interpretation of data, and coordination with project team.
• Water quality monitoring of construction sites, including oversight of compliance and field visits. Also includes data input, analysis, and interpretation.
• Mitigation site monitoring and assessment. This includes input on mitigation planning, mapping and next steps associated with program goals.
• Compliance check and reporting. Implementation of permit measures and conditions. Documentation, correction, and reporting. Working in Oracle APEX database, excel and other documentation/analytical software programs.

Ideal Candidates 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 as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

Assistant Water Resources Specialist I-None

Assistant Water Resources Specialist II-Two (2) years of professional level experience with responsibility for compliance with environmental permitting, water supply planning or distribution, groundwater management, mitigation of natural resource impacts, or hydrogeology.

Ideal Skills and Abilities Assistant Water Resources Specialist I:

• Apply water resources principles, practices, concepts, and standards to water supply planning, operations, and management, groundwater monitoring, contamination, and protection, and water quality problems.
• Perform arithmetic and statistical calculations.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and Valley Water resources policies and procedures.
• Conduct water resources and natural resource research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
• Learn to independently conduct comprehensive water resources studies, investigations, and analyses.
• Learn to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, and Valley Water resources policies and procedures.
• Learn to conduct water resources research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
• Operate office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines, and according to best engineering practices.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Ideal Skills and Abilities Assistant Water Resources Specialist II

In addition to the qualifications for Assistant Water Resources Specialist I:

• Train, organize, assign, and review the work of staff.
• Independently conduct comprehensive water resources studies, investigations, and analyses.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and Valley Water resources policies and procedures.
• Conduct water resources research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
• Effectively representing the unit and Valley Water in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.

Ideal Knowledge Assistant Water Resources Specialist I:

• Principles, practices, concepts, and standards of water resources management, natural resource management, environmental planning, engineering, hydrogeology, geology, hydrology, hydraulics, and/or environmental sciences.
• Principles and practices of numerical modeling and analysis, natural resource modeling, forecasting and risk analysis, and statistical analysis.
• Principles, practices, theories, and methods of water supply planning, operations, and management, groundwater monitoring, contamination, and protection, water quality, and long-term water supply modeling and analysis.
• Principles of mathematics and its application to water resources projects and programs.
• Practices of researching water resources issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective and technical reports.
• Techniques for effectively representing Valley Water in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Principles and techniques for providing customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Valley Water staff.
• Each employee shall possess a reasonable understanding of their roles and responsibilities as defined in the Valley Water's Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
• Principles and practices of natural resources restoration such as lake-stream separation, fishery habitat restoration, wetland restoration, riparian habitat improvements, and aquatic habitat improvements.

Ideal knowledge Assistant Water Resources Specialist II

In addition to the qualifications for Assistant Water Resources Specialist I:

• Principles, practices, and responsibilities involved in leading the work of assigned staff.
• Principles and practices of project budgeting, cost estimation, funding, project management, and contract administration.
• Recent and on-going water resources related developments, including information technology, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of assigned areas of responsibility.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.

Ideal Training and Education:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in water resources management, natural resources management, planning, civil or other field of engineering, geology, physical sciences, earth sciences, natural sciences, or a field related to assigned functional area(s).

LIMITED TERM POSITION:

The assignment period will be up to 2 years and such time period may be adjusted as needed by Valley Water management.

• If the limited-term appointee is internally hired and released from the position prior to the end of the time period, the appointee will be subject to Valley Water's reassignment process and/or appropriate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) layoff provisions.
• An internally hired limited-term appointee will be covered by the applicable MOU and eligible for all pay and benefits described in the MOU.
• An externally hired limited-term appointee will be considered "at-will" and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

An externally hired limited-term appointee will be covered by the applicable MOU and eligible for all pay and benefits described in the MOU with the exception of the following articles/sections:

• Article 3, Section 10: Temporary Promotion Pay
• Article 3, Section 11: Out-of-Class Assignment
• Article 6, Section 4(D): Deferred Compensation (Limited-term appointees may participate in Valley Water's 457 deferred compensation program however they will be ineligible for Valley Water matching funds and participation in Valley Water's 401(a) plan)
• Article 8: Leaves of Absence (Valley Water will provide a leave of absence as required by law under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL))
• Article 11: Workforce Development
• Article 12: Employee Performance/Evaluation
• Article 13: Classification
• Article 14: Discipline Process
• Article 16: Layoff

Required License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California drivers license. Individuals who do not meet the drivers license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

To review the Classification Specification, please click here.

Watersheds Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support Unit (Position Code LT025)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.

(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.

Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Waters Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click here

01

I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.

• Yes
• No

02

Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., "see resume") will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major course work in water resources management, natural resources management, planning, civil or other field of engineering, geology, physical sciences, earth sciences, natural sciences or related field?

• No, I don't have a bachelor's degree
• Yes, I have a bachelor's degree or higher

04

How many years of experience do you have with responsibility for compliance with environmental permitting, water supply planning or distribution, groundwater management, mitigation of natural resource impacts, or hydrogeology?

• None
• 0-1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5+ years or more

05

How many years of experience do you have with construction environmental monitoring?

• None
• 0-1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5+ years or more

06

This position requires travel to field sites (about 20%) throughout Santa Clara County and outdoor work in varying weather conditions. Are you able to perform these essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

07

Please summarize your education, specialized training, and any academic, internship, or professional experience related to environmental technical, regulatory, or programmatic support. Include any experience you have with environmental sampling, water quality monitoring, mitigation monitoring, environmental compliance, permit implementation, inspections, data analysis, and technical reporting. Please specify your role and responsibilities.

08

Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

09

Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

Required Question

Employer Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)

Address 5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, California, 95118

Phone 1-408-630-2260

Website https://www.valleywater.org