Water Resources Specialist I/II/III/IV

Job Description:

Water Resources Specialist I/II/III/IV

Description

Description

WHAT WE OFFER
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Merit Increases: New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Educational Incentive: An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Bilingual Incentive: Based on agency need,proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II) or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule: We support work/life balance by offering compressed work (e.g., 9/80 or 4/10 workweek) and remote hybrid telework schedules for some positions subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.
• Vacation Accrual: New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
• Annual Leave Redemption: After 14,560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to "cash-in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Sick Leave: Full-time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans: Full-time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $25,558 annually to offset the purchase of medical, dental and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.
  • Employee only: $509 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus one dependent: $779 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus family: $983 per biweekly pay period
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.
• Pension Plan: Participation in the County's defined benefit pension plan, which has reciprocity with CalPERS.
• Holidays: 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.

The PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY, Watershed Protection Districtoperates and maintains 216 miles of improved channels, 55 dams, 4 coastal pump stations and 148 rain and stream gauges with a $2.7B current replacement value; and is responsible for planning, design (hydrology and hydraulic and structural), and construction of flood conveyance assets, and permitting authority for 950 miles of jurisdictional watercourses. The Department also provides staff to the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency.

THE POSITION
Under general supervision (I) or direction (II, III, IV), performs technical hydrographic/water quality office and/or field activities including monitoring, collecting, analyzing, and evaluating hydrologic/water quality data that is used in studies and for the purpose of planning, hydraulic design, flood control implementation, water resources programs and regulatory compliance. In addition, the Water Resource Specialist (WRS) IV coordinates and leads activities of lower level WRS; and performs the most complex technical duties.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
The successful candidates not only possess the minimum requirements of the positions but also possess a demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices used in watershed management; and hydrology and water quality/quantity data collection. The successful candidates also possess some experience working with various equipment, instrumentation and tools relating to watershed management/hydrology; conducting data analysis and writing reports; are proficient in applications and software used in hydrology, water quality monitoring, and/or mapping (GIS) such as Microsoft Word and Excel, Teledyne Isco Flowlink, Bentley FlowMaster and/or Hydstra; are detail-oriented and can work independently and in a team environment; and have strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES
Water Resources Specialist I: $27.66 - $38.80/ hourly
Water Resources Specialist II: $ 31.08 - $43.59/ hourly
Water Resources Specialist III: $34.15 - $47.91/ hourly
Water Resources Specialist IV: $38.84 - $54.50/hourly

Examples Of Duties

Depth and breadth of assignments increase at the higher level and may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assesses, programs, monitors, maintains, calibrates and/or operates (I), designs, fabricates, installs, programs, monitors, maintains, calibrates and operates (II/III/IV) water quality and quantity instrumentation on a daily basis as per regulatory requirements and/or for planning purposes.
• Collects water quality and quantity data from multiple sources/samples (field, office, etc.), creates and appends databases, validates and analyzes data, writes reports on a daily basis as per regulatory requirements and/or for planning purposes. May write annual reports.
• Creates and utilizes datasets and maps using GIS software as needed as per regulatory requirements and/or for planning purposes.
• May assist (I), participates (II) and/or leads (III/IV) in special projects (including water quality and quantity studies), may produce and present related reports as per regulatory requirements and/or at the direction of management.
• May assist in disseminating (I) or disseminates (II/III/IV) water quality and quantity information to the public and consultants via the County website, direct contact, and/or other means.
• May serve (I/II) or serves (III) on and/or may lead (IV) technical, regulatory, organizational, scientific and/or management committees, as needed.
• Estimates costs of staff time and equipment for budgetary purposes on an on-going basis (III/IV).
• Researches service providers and equipment, and prepares purchase requisitions, as needed (III/IV).
• Orders, tracks, and signs for all section-related equipment and supplies (IV).
• Assists with the development of the annual budget (IV).
• Performs other duties as required.

If assigned to Fox Canyon, duties in addition to the above include:

• Calculates groundwater estimates for billing when data is incomplete.
• Interfaces with the public regarding questions relating to groundwater extractions, AMI and well permits.
• Reviews flowmeter photo submissions (multipliers, rollovers, digital vs. analog) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data (IV).

If assigned to Surface Water, duties in addition to the above include:

• Maintains the ALERT (Automated Local Evaluation in Real-Time) and/or GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) telemetry equipment.
• Reports (I/II) and/or monitors (III/IV) stream conditions during flood flows to law enforcement/fire service/news media to address problems; identifies potential problems in advance of a storm.
• Installs and operates lake level recorders or dam strain gauges.
• Assesses burn areas for damage to equipment and/or infrastructure and determines potential for sediment and debris collection for analysis.
• Assists with training lower-level Water Resources Specialists.

If assigned to Water Quality, duties in addition to the above may include:

• Provides public outreach including developing and writing articles, attending public events, and delivering presentations, etc.
• Develops contracts including writing RFPs, analyzes responses, makes recommendations and writes lab, consultant and construction contracts.
• Coordinates water quality analysis with labs, regulatory agencies, public/private citizens.
• Researches, writes and submits grant applications.
• Responds to complaints from the public (e.g., sources of illicit discharges).
• Plans for monitoring events including weather tracking and equipment monitoring and determines run-off impact (IV).
• Collects water quality samples in the field (IV).
• Analyzes voltage, level, velocity, flowrate, temperature, rainfall, and radio signal strength data sets (IV).
• Develops/refines theoretical stage/discharge rating tables for streams, pipes and channels (IV).

Water Resources Specialists are represented by the Service Employees International Union ( SEIU ) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE
Any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the respective classification.

Water Resources Specialist I
Some experience in hydrography or water quality analysis which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. This can be obtained by at least one (1) year of technical field and/or office experience in the specialty area.

Water Resources Specialist II

Considerable experience in hydrography or water quality analysis which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities also can be obtained by at least three (3) years of technical field and/or office experience in the specialty area; OR, two (2) years of experience comparable to a Water Resources Specialist I.

Substitution (WRS I & II): Completion of an Associate's degree in one (1) of the physical sciences or two (2) years of related college work may be substituted for a maximum of one (1) year of the required experience.

Water Resources Specialist III
Extensive experience in hydrography or water quality analysis which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities also can be obtained by possession of a Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field AND one (1) year of technical field and/or office experience in the specialty area; OR two (2) years of experience comparable to a Water Resources Specialist II.

Water Resources Specialist IV
Progressively responsible experience in hydrography or water quality analysis which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities also can be obtained by possession of a Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field AND two (2) years of technical field and/or office experience in the specialty area; OR o ne (1) year of experience comparable to a Water Resources Specialist III .

Substitution (WRS III & IV): Additional progressively responsible experience in hydrography or water quality analysis may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree (year for year).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (all levels)

• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license.
• Must be able and willing to travel to work sites independently.
• Must be able and willing to perform work under physically demanding conditions outdoors, in rugged terrain, in confined areas such as wells and in inclement weather (rain).
• Must be able and willing to l ift, push and/or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able and willing to work successfully independently and as a team, at remote field sites and in an office environment.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Excellent written communication skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

DESIRED
Groundwater

• Some knowledge of geology and hydrology, well construction and destruction methods and well operations.
• Some knowledge of sampling protocols and basic water-quality chemistry.
• Some experience calibrating and operating water-level and water-quality monitoring equipment and dataloggers.
• Some experience collecting groundwater quality samples for laboratory analysis.
• Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Geology, Earth Science, Soil Science or Engineering.

Water Quality

• Some knowledge of and experience with electronics and construction, water quality/quantity measuring equipment, and surveying equipment.
• Some experience in building, installing, maintaining and troubleshooting water quality equipment and instrumentation.
• Some experience using databases for data analysis and report writing.
• Some experience with operating peristaltic pumps, multi-meters, soldering, hand tools, hammer drills, data loggers, pressure transducers, tipping bucket rain gauges, pipe conduits and fittings.
• Some experience in leading the activities of subordinate staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
Some (I), considerable (II), extensive (III/IV) knowledge of:principles, practices, and techniques used in watershed management such as flood control hydrographic procedures; the operation and maintenance of various types of recorders and equipment used in connection with stream flow, evaporation and precipitation; the collection, processing and analysis of hydrologic data; local hydrology and drainage response to various sized storm events; interpreting multiple weather forecasts and response curves to create local storm intensity predictions; Federal, state, County regulations/ordinances (NPDES) pertaining to water quality and other environmental issues; NPDES permit requirements, adopted TMDL monitoring and reporting requirements; sampling protocols and methods, water quality monitoring methods and equipment, chain of custody procedures, invasive species precautions, holding times, sample preservatives, etc.; geography, geology, hydrology and/or environmental sciences; math/statistics in order to perform mathematical computations and statistical procedures; designing and fabricating equipment (e.g., rain and/or stream gauges that are used to measure water); Geographic Information Systems (GIS), databases, spreadsheets, word processing and graphics programs; safety methods, procedures and devices used while working in the field; the use and operation of peristaltic pumps, multi-meters, soldering, hand tools, hammer drills, data loggers, pressure transducers, tipping bucket rain gauges, pipe conduits and fittings; and the use and operation of different types of flowmeters and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) (Fox Canyon).

Some knowledge of (IV): the basic principles associated with lead supervision of staff.

Skill in: using survey equipment for determining water levels; working and interacting effectively with other employees, representatives from other agencies/departments and the public; report writing in order to produce various reports containing data that is used by both internal staff and external customers; and data analysis for the purpose of interpreting and communicating data; and leading the activities of subordinate staff (IV).

Ability to: operate, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair hydrographic and water quality instruments; maintain accurate logs and records; communicate orally and in writing for the purpose of sharing data/information with other agencies/departments and/or the public; work independently and at times, in remote areas; work and interact with representatives from other agencies/departments and the public; and assist in training the lower-level Water Resources Specialists (III).

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.

TRAINING and EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.

NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Examination, which may be preceded by or replaced with a score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related oral examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

ELIGIBLE LIST: Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future Regular (including Temporary, and Fixed-term), Extra-Help and Intermittent vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy.

Note: If appointed at the lower level, incumbents may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with business needs of the department.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: The selected candidate may be subjected to a thorough post-offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Sylvia Campos by email at sylvia.campos@venturacounty.gov.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ,UPT, UWS

Closing Date/Time: 11/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$57,534.73 - $113,351.35 Annually