Water Resources Specialist
City of Santa Clara Santa Clara, California, United States
- Location: Santa Clara, California, United States
- Categories: Environmental Services, Natural Resources
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Nov 01, 2025
Job Description:
Water Resources Specialist
Description
DescriptionAn exciting opportunity is available to join the City of Santa Clara’s Water & Sewer Utilities Department as a Water Resources Specialist. This position offers the chance to be part of a small, dedicated team within the Compliance Division, supporting critical programs that protect and manage the City’s water resources.
About the Position
The Water Resources Specialist performs a variety of professional analytical and technical assignments related to:
- Water resource planning and management (potable and recycled water)
- Water conservation and efficiency programs
- Regulatory compliance and reporting
- Financial and operational analysis related to water and wastewater programs
The incumbent will play a key role in ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements, supporting the City’s commitment to sustainability and resource protection.
Work Environment
This classification is part of the classified service and is assigned to the Water & Sewer Utilities Department. The position works under general supervision, exercising independent judgment and initiative while performing the full range of duties supporting the Compliance Division and the Department as a whole. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and to collaborate across Divisions and Departments.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This classification is distinguished from the higher-level Compliance Manager position in that the latter manages multiple environmental and regulatory programs and ensures full compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and permits across several City departments, including Electric Utility, Water & Sewer Utilities, and Public Works.
The Department
The Water and Sewer Utilities Department is a utility enterprise that provides planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the City's water distribution system, sewer collection system, and recycled water system. For more information about Water and Sewer Utilities please visit the department website .
Why Join Us
The City of Santa Clara is a recognized leader in sustainability and water resource management. As a Water Resources Specialist, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future of water supply reliability, conservation, and environmental stewardship in our community.
Additional Information:
Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Completed City Application 2) Current Resume and 3) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov . Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of Nov 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW.
The annual salary range for this position is $116,173.44 - $148,626.24. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in, environmental studies, Biology, civil or environmental engineering or approved related field;
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in water resources planning, water conservation, laboratory analysis of water or wastewater, water quality, regulatory compliance, or sanitary sewer regulatory compliance.
- Completion of an advanced degree in environmental studies, civil/environmental engineering or public administration may be substituted for two (2) years of the qualifying experience for this position
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.
Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: This position qualifies for Veteran’s Preference Points. Applicants who have separated from service (Active Duty Status) must submit proof of honorable discharge (Form DD214) with their application at time of filing or will be ineligible to have points added to their final score.
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov .
City of Santa Clara Benefit Summary Overview for Bargaining Unit #5, 7, & 8
Employees Association
This summary provides a brief overview of the City of Santa Clara's benefits available to Bargaining Unit #5, 7, & 8 employees in 2025. In the event of any conflict between the information in this summary and the applicable official plan documents, City Manager's Directives (CMDs), Personnel and Salary Resolution, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the applicable official plan documents, CMDs, Personnel and Salary Resolution, or MOU will prevail over this summary. Benefits are subject to change.
Retirement:
- Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
- Classic Employees: 2.7% @ age 55 formula - employee pays 8.00% of gross pay, minus $61 bi-weekly
- New Employees: 2.0% @ age 62 formula - employee pays 7.00% of gross pay
- Medicare and Social Security (FICA)
- Employee pays 6.20% up to $10,918.20 (Social Security) and 1.45% (Medicare) of gross pay
- The City contributes up to 100% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee Only and Employee + 1 Dependent plans, and up to 90% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan of the Employee + 2 or More Dependents plan
- Employees electing health coverage with premiums above the City health contribution will pay additional premium costs from salary on a pre-tax basis
- No cash difference is paid if an employee elects a plan cheaper than the max City contribution
- To be eligible for the City’s contribution toward health, employees must be on a paid status for at least 80 hours in the month prior to the month of coverage
- The City’s contribution is prorated based on scheduled hours for part time employees
- Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire
- Employees hired on or after 1/1/2022 who opt-out of City-offered health insurance and provide annual attestation and acceptable proof of alternative required coverage for themselves and their tax family, if applicable, are eligible for a cash-in-lieu amount of $250/month. Contact Human Resources for more details
- Choice of two Delta Dental plans; enrollment is mandatory
- City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
- Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire
- Choice of two VSP plans
- City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
- Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire
- City contributes $50.00 a month toward employee's VEBA account
- Account funds may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses after separation from the City and after age 50 (pre-tax)
- City pays for $15,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage
- Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment
- Additional optional insurance may be purchased by the employee for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependent children
- Employee pays 1.2% of gross pay (includes Paid Family Leave)
- 7 day waiting period. Weekly paid leave for absences due to non-work related injuries/illnesses. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information
- Up to 8 weeks of benefits within a 12-month period to care for a family member or to bond with a new child
- No waiting period. Weekly paid leave benefit. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information
Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance:
- Benefit is 2/3 of basic wage up to $7,500; max of $5,000/month
- City pays $.558/$100 of insured earnings
- 30 calendar day waiting period
- Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment
- Voluntary plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions
- Employee may contribute up to the lesser of the IRS maximum or 100% of gross compensation into a pre-tax 457(b) account or a post-tax Roth 457(b) account (or a combination of the two accounts) subject to IRS rules
- Employee may contribute up to $3,300 per year in pre-tax dollars to a health care spending account
- Employee may contribute up to $5,000 per year in pre-tax dollars to a dependent care spending account
- Employee may contribute up to $325 per month in pre-tax dollars to a commuter benefit plan
- Vacation is accrued bi-weekly, cannot use vacation during first 6 months of City service
- For 1 - 4 years of service: 10 days (80 hours)/year
- For 5 - 9 years of service: 15 days (120 hours)/year
- For 10 - 15 years of service: 21 days (168 hours)/year
- For 16 - 20 years of service: 22 days (176 hours)/year
- For 21+ years of service: 24 days (192 hours)/year
- Maximum vacation accrual is 420 hours
- Once per year, employees can elect to convert up to 40 hours of accrued vacation to cash to be paid out the following calendar year
- Sick leave is accrued bi-weekly for equivalent of 96 hours per calendar year with no maximum accrual
- Up to 48 hours/year of accumulated sick leave may be used for family illness
- Up to 40 hours/year of accumulated sick leave may be used for personal leave
- Employee may convert sick leave to vacation once per calendar year (annual maximum conversion is 96 hours sick to 48 hours vacation)
- Partial sick leave payoff provision on retirement depending on years of service
- 40hours of non-management leave credited to employees each January 1st
- New employees hired between January 1st and June 30th receive 40 hours of non-management leave their first year
- New employees hired between July 1st and December 31st receive 20 hours of non-management leave their first year
- Unused non-management leave may not be carried over from one calendar year to the next
- Employees may accrue CTO in lieu of overtime hours (maximum accrual is set by department)
- 16 hours of CTO is credited to employees each January 1st (prorated if hired after January 1st)
- Seventeen paid eight-hour holidays per year (13 & 4 holidays between 12/25 to 1/1 of following year)
Reimbursements/Allowances (for specific classifications):
- Raingear: $150 per fiscal year for eligible classifications
- Safety Boots: $275 per fiscal year for eligible classifications
- Walking Shoes: $120 per fiscal year for eligible classifications (See MOU for details)
- Tools: $500 per fiscal year reimbursement for Auto Foreperson classification
- Phone allowance of $80/month for Senior Key Customer Representative(s) and Key Customer Representative(s) job classifications
- Certified bilingual employees are eligible for $55/bi-weekly bilingual pay
- Librarians and library support employees whose regular assignments are to City libraries are eligible for 5.0% night differential pay for all hours worked between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. so long as they work a minimum of 2 consecutive hours between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
- All other employees are eligible for 5.0% night differential pay for all hours worked between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. so long as they work a minimum of 2 consecutive hours between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
- Employees in the classification of Electric Utility Programmer Analyst, Electric Utility Network Administrator, and Senior Energy Systems Analyst are eligible for standby pay of $100/week when assigned to work standby
- Up to $2,000 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement
- Confidential counseling to employees and dependents. Up to maximum of five (5) consultations per family member per incident per year
- City paid benefit
- Employees who retire from the City with at least ten (10) years of service shall receive reimbursement to help cover retiree single health insurance premiums. The reimbursement maximum includes the PEMHCA minimum.
- Up to age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $425/month in 2025 (amount adjusted annually)
- After age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $254/month in 2025 (amount adjusted annually)
Closing Date/Time: 11/20/2025 4:00 PM Pacific