Water Resource Specialist

Water Resource Specialist

Salary

$90,542.40 - $133,785.60 Annually

Location

Encinitas, CA

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

26-17

Department

Utilities

Opening Date

05/05/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The San Dieguito Water District, a subsidiary of the City of Encinitas, seeks a Water Resource Specialist with a multifaceted skill set to support the Utilities Director / San Dieguito Water District General Manager in advancing critical water resource initiatives. In this key role, you will contribute to regulatory compliance and reporting, conservation programming, community outreach, and long-range water resource planning. You will manage a variety of administrative and analytical projects, engage with the community around conservation, and collaborate with the finance and engineering teams. This position offers the opportunity to blend technical skill, project management, and community engagement to support the essential water services that keep our community thriving.

Why Youll Love Working Here

Encinitas is a scenic coastal city known for its six miles of shoreline, engaged community, and strong commitment to sustainability, recreation, and the arts. Employees enjoy a supportive, collaborative culture grounded in public service and continuous improvement.

The City also offers excellent benefits, contributing to a positive work-life balance and long-term career satisfaction. In this role, your work will directly support essential potable and recycled water services.

The Water Resource Specialist provides professional level administrative, engagement, and analytical support for the Districts Water Resource related strategies such as supply, quality, regulatory compliance issues and reporting, water conservation, community outreach and public information programs.

Examples of Important & Essential Duties (included but not limited to)

Essential Duties:

(These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• Plans, organizes, and oversees all aspects of assigned programs, including legal and regulatory compliance; coordinates with the public, private businesses, and governmental agencies.
• Performs a variety of professional-level research, administrative, and analytical duties for completing the Water Loss Report, SWRCB monthly drought and conservation reporting (SAFER), Consumer Confidence Report, Electronic Annual Report and Urban Water Management Plan in accordance with state and federal guidelines and meets deadline dates. Incumbent will coordinate and collaborate with department managers on reports as needed.
• Plan, direct, coordinate and participate in studies related to Water Supply and Conservation.
• Develops and implements, as directed, a wide variety of District water conservation programs including public awareness, community involvement or internal communication projects. Designs, develops and creates program supporting materials.
• Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned services and programs; identifies resource needs; recommends and implements policies and procedures, including standard operating procedures for assigned areas.
• Stays informed of pending water laws, codes, regulations, and procedures, analyzes potential impacts; and makes recommendations for the revision or adoption of District's policies and ordinance provisions to District management.
• Engages local, state, and federal representatives on proposed legislation, including writing comment letters, attending meetings, and collaborating with lobbyists.
• Develops and executes detailed program marketing plans, including reviewing, proposing, and developing program literature and outreach materials.
• Develops and monitors program budgets.
• Researches, writes and manages grants and proposals for conservation program funding; prepares applications for national and state awards for District conservation programs and projects.
• Responds to requests for information and concerns from citizens, contractors, developers, and/or other interested parties related to water conservation, water supply, water quality and regulatory compliance.
• Provides troubleshooting and recommendations to customers and property owners on water usage and conservation techniques, equipment improvements and other methods of achieving more efficient water use. Applies irrigation and landscape design concepts in developing recommendations for improved water usage.
• Monitors availability of efficient and approved water saving devices, rebate programs and conservation materials. Researches new technologies to assist in water conservation.
• Collects a variety of data related to District water conservation efforts. Evaluates, analyzes and compiles reports from results.
• Writes staff reports and makes presentations to the District Board of Directors, community, schools, individual customers, and other groups on conservation/education issues, water supply, and federal and state water regulatory issues. Develops presentations, displays, demonstrations, and other materials for the public and District officials.
• Acts as a point of contact in the development and provision of information for press releases and media inquiry.
• Represents the District and makes oral presentations on the District's behalf at community, State and Local government and special interest meetings, public events, and other engagements. Schedules and coordinates meetings, events, and appointments.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with the Metropolitan Water District, San Diego County Water Authority and other water agency staff on water resource issues including conservation, water supply and regulatory related matters. Keeps abreast of regional conservation and education technologies and programs and recommends, develops and coordinates implementation of such programs with other agencies.
• Creates and updates content for the District website and develops material to be presented via news releases, newsletters, website, social media, and other printed material.
• Coordinates and works with other staff to maintain current and relevant information for District customers. Coordinates and regularly updates the Districts social media presence in correspondence to meet District objectives.
• Provides on-the-job instruction and training to co-workers regarding water conservation best practices and state and federal drinking water regulations.
• Analyzes the water conservation budget and makes recommendations for prioritizing water conservation programs based on a cost/benefit analysis.
• Collects, analyzes and reports on data related to District water sales, water purchases and water losses.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Federal, and State drinking water/recycled water regulations and requirements for reporting and permitting.
• Principles and practices of public administration and municipal government management;
• Management and leadership principles;
• Principles, practices and techniques for design and implementation of water conservation programs and resources including public information outreach and community programs;
• Organizational and management practices as applied to analysis, evaluation, and development of programs, policies and procedures in assigned area of responsibility;
• Customer service principles;
• Project management principles;
• Applicable federal, state, and local codes, laws, regulations, and ordinances;
• Principles and practices of landscape water budgeting and irrigation;
• Basic research and statistical analysis practices;
• Report writing techniques; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation;
• Principles of public speaking;
• Marketing and public relations principles and practices;
• Budgeting principles;
• Principles of education and teaching.

Skill in:

• Providing customer service;
• Providing leadership;
• Providing public relations;
• Managing projects;
• Managing multiple priorities simultaneously;
• Giving presentations and speaking in public;
• Analyzing and developing policies and procedures;
• Ensuring compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local rules and regulations;
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations;
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals;
• Preparing and administering budgets;
• Planning, analyzing, and evaluating programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints;
• Using a computer and related software applications;
• Communicating clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to a variety of groups and audiences;
• Preparing reports;
• Designing and creating materials related to water conservation including flyers, brochures, newsletters, etc. for the use of public education and/or community involvement;
• Conducting mathematical calculations related to water surveys/audits;
• Applying basic research methods;
• Understanding, interpreting, explaining and applying District and Federal, State and local laws, regulations and programs applicable to water conservation programs and requirements;
• Maintain effective relationships with those encountered in the course of the work;
• Performing work in accordance with safety regulations, guidelines, and practices.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Communications, Environmental Science or related field, including one (1) year of experience in water resource issues such as water supply, federal and state water regulations, water conservation, education, communications or environmentally-related work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Licensing Requirements (position requirements at entry):

• Possession of professional certifications such as AWWA Water Use Efficiency Grade 1 Practitioner, landscape irrigation auditor certification, or SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade 1 is desirable.

Application Process and Deadline

A completed City application with an attached resume AND cover letter are required.

• Incomplete application packets are not accepted *

This job posting is open until the position is filled.

First review of applications will be on the week of May 18, 2026, and qualified applicants will be invited for interviews.

Dont delay, apply today!

The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Drivers License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding. The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will be conducted for the candidate(s) seriously considered for the position including fingerprinting and reference checking. A contingent job offer may be given pending the results of medical evaluation, which includes a physical and drug and alcohol screening. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

City of Encinitas & San Dieguito Water District

2026 Benefits Summary

Service Employees International Union, Local 221 (SEIU)

Cafeteria Health Plan

The employer's "Flexible Benefit Plan" contribution will make available for each employee a monthly amount equal to the high median of the monthly premiums of all CalPERS health plans available in San Diego County. Under the City's Section 125 Cafeteria Benefits Plan qualified benefits include: health, dental, vision, dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) and healthcare FSA. The remaining balance is available as additional taxable income capped at one-half of the monthly cafeteria contribution

Retirement

The City contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS):

Retirement Tier - Local Miscellaneous Retirement Formula

Tier 2 - Classic2.0% @ 60

Tier 3 - New Member2.0% @ 62

Retirement Tier - Other Safety (Lifeguards)Retirement Formula

Tier 2 - Classic3.0% @ 55

Tier 3 - New Member2.7% @ 57

457 Deferred Compensation

The City offers a 457 and/or 401(a) deferred compensation. These accounts are voluntary and employee funded.

Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

The City provides Basic Group Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D). Group Term Life Insurance is equal to 1x your basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $150,000. AD&D is up to the amount of your Group Term Life Insurance.

Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD)

STD benefits are 70% of your weekly earnings up to a maximum of $3,500 per week.

Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD)

LTD benefits are 66% of monthly earnings up to a maximum of $8,000 per month. San Dieguito Water District employees pay for their LTD premium.

Sick Leave

Employees accrue nine (9) hours of sick leave for each calendar month of paid status (4.153 hours per pay period). New employees are granted a beginning balance of (9) hours. Less than full time employees accrue sick leave in an amount prorated by FTE status. Accrued sick leave carries over from year to year.

Vacation Leave

Employees earn vacation hours based on the following years of service:

Years of Service Annual Accrual

Hire - 5 Years 104 hours

6 - 10 Years 128 hours

11 - 15 Years 152 hours

16+ Years 184 hours

Credit is given to new employees for related continuous prior public service employment at the rate of one year for every two years worked.

Paid Leave for Family Member Illness

Each new full-time employee is granted a beginning balance of fourteen (14) hours of paid time off to attend to family member(s) in need of the employee's assistance in times of illness or parental leave to bond with a new child; 1.3846 hours of additional paid leave is accrued each pay period. The maximum accrual is about eighty three (83) hours.

Parental Leave (Baby Bonding)

Employees who qualify for California Family Rights Act (CFRA) baby bonding will be eligible for twelve (12) weeks of employer paid leave. Available leave is prorated based on FTE status.

General Election Leave

Employees shall be provided a half day of paid leave to vote at the employee's polling location or a full day of paid leave to volunteer for the County Registrar of Voters for a General Election.

Holiday Closure

Each year, City Hall is closed from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.

Holidays

Employees receive thirteen (13) fixed holidays and five (5) floating holidays (45 hours) per fiscal year.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Confidential services are available to employees and household members to assist with personal and professional issues. Five sessions per issue are available each calendar year.

Computer Purchase Program

The City will loan employees who successfully complete the probationary period of employment an interest free loan of up to $3,000.

Tuition Assistance

Eligible employees may receive up to $1,200 in reimbursement per fiscal year for approved coursework tuition, required textbooks and registration.

Social Security and Medicare

The City does not participate in the Social Security program. The City and employees each pay 1.45% to Medicare Insurance.

This document is intended to provide a general summary of benefits available to employees of the City of Encinitas and San Dieguito Water District. Exact benefits an employee is entitled to receive are determined by the City Council through collective bargaining agreements between the City and the union representing the employees classification, as well as through various Resolutions and Ordinances. If there is a conflict between the information in this summary and the official plans/contracts, the official documents will prevail.

01

I have attached both my cover letter and resume and understand that my application wont be reviewed unless attached.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you hold any water certifications, such as an AWWA Water Use Efficiency Grade 1 Practitioner, landscape irrigation auditor, or other certification? If yes, please list them in your answer

03

Please describe your experience with public outreach, community engagement, and/or customer service.

04

Please describe your experience with water resources regulatory compliance and reporting. If you do not have direct experience with water resources, share another example of analytical, regulatory, or data heavy work.

Required Question

Employer City of Encinitas

Address 505 S. Vulcan Ave

Encinitas, California, 92024

Phone 7606332767

Website http://www.encinitasca.gov