POLICY AND RESOURCES SPECIALIST - WATER

POLICY AND RESOURCES SPECIALIST - WATER

Salary

$9,075.73 - $12,168.00 Monthly

Location

Torrance, CA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

26085750

Department

PUBLIC WORKS

Opening Date

08/27/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DESCRIPTION

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.

The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.

The City of Torrance is recruiting for a Policy and Resources Specialist to be part of the Municipal Water Division!

The Department

The Public Works Department is responsible for providing the essential infrastructure needs of the City. The department is made up of over 200 employees who provide service to our residents, businesses, and other City departments to improve and maintain the Citys streets, sidewalks, landscaping, traffic, sewers, and water system. The Department is comprised of six divisions: Engineering, Sanitation, Street Operations, Streetscape, Water and Administration.

The Division

Torrance Municipal Water is an enterprise-funded municipal utility serving approximately 105,000 residents and businesses throughout about 78% of the City. The Water Division is responsible for water supply reliability, water quality, conservation, infrastructure planning, regulatory compliance, and regional partnerships that ensure safe, dependable water service for the community.

The Position

Reporting to the Water Operations Manager, the Policy & Resources Specialist for Water provides strategic policy, planning, financial, and regulatory support for Torrance Municipal Water. The position leads initiatives involving water resources, conservation, enterprise fund management, legislative analysis, grants, contracts, and regional partnerships that strengthen the Citys long-term water reliability and sustainability.

The position also researches and analyzes emerging water legislation, regulations, policies, programs, and funding opportunities and develops recommendations to support the Citys water supply reliability, conservation, and long-term resource planning objectives.

Key Responsibilities of the Policy and Resources Specialist also include:

• Water Commission & Regional Agency Liaison - Act as liaison to the Water Commission and regional agencies including Metropolitan Water District (MWD), West Basin
• Municipal Water District (WBMWD), Water Replenishment District (WRD) and other agencies on policy, regulatory, legislative, and programmatic matters impacting water.
• Water Use Efficiency & Conservation - Act as program manager for water-use efficiency and conservation; collaborate on regional conservation efforts.
• Grant Strategy & Administration - Identify, pursue, prepare, administer, and monitor state, federal, and regional grant opportunities supporting water reliability, conservation, groundwater sustainability, infrastructure improvements, climate resilience, recycled water initiatives, and regulatory compliance.
• Planning & Strategic Initiatives - Develop the Urban Water Management Plan for TMW and other water resource, strategic, and business plans, initiatives, and studies.
• Groundwater Rights Management - Manage groundwater rights for the City, oversee conjunctive use carryover each year, and pursue acquisition of additional groundwater rights through lease or purchase. - Agreements & Contracts - Assist in preparing pricing and service agreements with MWD, WBMWD and WRD. - Boards,
• Committees & Partnerships - Serve on regional boards or committees as needed and develop collaborative partnerships with other agencies.
• Enterprise & Policy Support - Assist with enterprise budgeting and forecasting, rate studies, legislative analysis, regulatory compliance, audits, contracts, and other policy and resource related activities.
• Prepare reports, presentations, staff recommendations, and other materials for the Water Commission, City management, and other decision-makers regarding water policy, programs, projects, and resource issues

For more information about the duties of the position, click here.

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would have provided the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree from a college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Environmental Planning, Biology, or a related field.

Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental resources related to water, which includes at least one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience of at least one major environmental resources program.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

A valid California driver's license.

Successful candidates will possess the following:

• Strong knowledge of water policy, regulatory, and legislative issues impacting municipal water utilities.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with regional agencies and stakeholders.
• Exceptional analytical, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and lead projects from concept to completion.
• Experience working with enterprise-funded municipal utilities or comparable public-sector organizations.
• Experience in water resources, water conservation, water utility operations, grants, regulatory programs, groundwater resources, or related municipal water programs is highly desirable.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative, team-focused environment.

HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS

Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs. The application filing period will remain open until a sufficient number of qualifying applications have been received. Review of applications will be those received by Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Only those candidates who best meet the City and Departments needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following components:

Performance Test: Weighted 40% & Interview Panel: Weighted 60% (Tentatively scheduled on Thursday, October 8, 2026)

The Performance Test will be conducted first, followed by the Interview Panel

SPECIAL NOTES

Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our community.

As a condition of employment, candidates must pass a background check and a pre-employment medical examination.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s).

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

City of Torrance Inclusion Statement

The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!

The City of Torrance offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. Benefits may include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefits amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

To view the current benefits for Torrance Professional and Supervisory Association bargaining unit, visit: MOUs/Salary Resolutions - City of Torrance (torranceca.gov)

For additional information about the Citys benefits, visit: Employee Services - City of Torrance (torranceca.gov)

RETIREMENT BENEFITS - The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits. Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.

01

The following supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes are encouraged but will NOT be used in lieu of the application or supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand the foregoing?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a valid California drivers license?

• Yes
• No

03

What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent
• Vocational School
• Some College Coursework
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or Higher

04

State your major field of study for any college coursework or degree received. If none, please type "N/A".

05

Do you have at least three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental resources related to sanitation which includes at least one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience of at least one major environmental resources program?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have experience with implementing waste diversion/recycling programs as it relates to AB 939 and SB 1383?

• Yes
• No

07

Describe your experience in the development, implementation, or administration of public or private recycling and waste diversion programs as it relates to AB 939 and SB 1383. If no experience, please type "N/A".

08

Do you have experience with applying for, monitoring, and delivering grant funded programs?

• Yes
• No

09

Describe your experience with applying for, implementing, and monitoring grant funded programs. If no experience, please type "N/A".

10

Knowledge of the refuse industry, state-mandated waste reduction/recycling goals, composting, current technologies, trends, and legislation related to environmental issues is required for this position. Please describe in detail your knowledge and/or experience as it relates to the aforementioned. If no experience, please type "N/A".

11

Describe any experience you have with preparing presentations and/or speaking to an audience. If no experience, please type "N/A".

Required Question

Employer City of Torrance

Address 3231 Torrance Blvd.

Torrance, California, 90503

Phone 310-618-2915

Website http://www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs