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Water Resources Specialist (Water, Wastewater, and Reclaimed Water)

Salary

$5,711.25 – $6,791.74 Monthly

Location

Lacey, WA

Job Type

Full Time

Department

Water Resources

Job Number

2018-00049

Closing

6/29/2018 5:00 PM Pacific

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Basic Purpose

Under general direction, manages public information and education efforts, provides project management on assigned activities or issues, responds to citizen inquiries, and coordinates with other local jurisdictions regarding the City’s Water Resources Management Program encompassing conservation issues, salmon enhancement programs, surface water runoff, groundwater protection, and drinking water issues and concerns.

The information contained in this announcement is subject to change without notice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following reflects the general duties and responsibilities of this position and should not be considered all inclusive.  The incumbent is expected to meet the City’s standards for interpersonal and team behavior, customer contacts, and supervision.  Incumbent may also perform other work as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or meet department needs.

Develops and delivers education through workshops, presentations, articles, site visits, and other technical materials. Coordinates program efforts with surrounding jurisdictions.  Notifies the public when health and safety issues arise by preparing press releases, interviews with local media, preparation of door hangers, and issuing letters to water customers. Analyzes issues, reviews and researches technical and scientific data, analyzes probable causes of water quality or environmental problems and proposed solutions for their effectiveness in remediating identified problems. Reviews and comments on draft documents; negotiates with other jurisdictions to develop work plans for regional programs; works to ensure efficient coordination of effort and incorporation of City interests.  Assists with water quality monitoring functions such as collection of water and soil samples and compiling statistics. Provides project management for assigned water resource projects such as conservation programs, drinking water reports and notifications, lake protection and restoration, stream protection and enhancement, and reduction of pollution sources.  Prepares project scopes of work; schedules timelines; prepares quarterly, yearly, and final reports; assists in the consultant selection process; provides City support and materials to consultants; obtains various state and federal permits for projects; and other various project management tasks as required.

Prepares grant applications for federal, state, and local grant programs related to the protection and management of water resources such as surface, marine, and groundwater.

Develops databases, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing documents.

Supervises support staff, work study interns, and volunteers to accomplish the goals of the Water Resources division.

Attends evening and morning meetings on a regular basis, works overtime hours as needed and performs other duties as required.

Updates website material pertaining to the City’s water resources and utilities.

Employs community based social marketing theory and practice to encourage the public to adopt behaviors which sustain the region’s water resources and comply with the federal, state, and local law and ordinances.  Uses various social media platforms to communicate with the public.

Coordinates open houses and public involvement for rate studies, comprehensive plans, policy and programmatic changes, grand openings, etc.

Functions as Public Information Officer/Communications Manager for the Water Resources Division of Public Works.

Water Resources Specialist duties are segmented into two functional areas; 1) support for the water, wastewater, and reclaimed water utilities, and 2) support for the storm and surface water utility. As needed and to cover during absences, there may be an overlap of general duties and responsibilities.

Water, Wastewater, and Reclaimed Water Utility Education and Outreach Support

Examples of typical duties for the Water Resources Specialist supporting the water, wastewater, and reclaimed water utilities include the following:

Develops and implements the City’s water quality public outreach and education programs, with emphasis on enhancing and protecting water resources and water conservation.  Develops programs to assist citizens and local businesses in understanding drinking water quality and conservation issues.

Creates the annual Consumer Confidence Report.  Creates content for and updates water, wastewater, and reclaimed water pages on Lacey website.

Coordinates public engagement for the septic to sewer conversion program.

Administers the City of Lacey’s Alternate Day Irrigation Policy.

Ensures compliance with WDOH water use efficiency rule, calculates annual Distribution System Leakage, and manages the City’s water conservation program.

Represents the City in regional water resources planning and response efforts related to drinking water quality protection and enhancement. Sits on Technical Advisory Committees (TACs), Policy Advisory Committees (PACs), and advisory boards of various inter-jurisdictional and governmental programs.  These committees include but are not limited to: WC3 and Reclaimed Water Policies Task Force.  This work is coordinated with City Councilmembers through the Water Resources Manager, Public Works Director, and/or City Manager.
Qualifications

The typical qualified applicant will have a bachelor degree in environmental science, natural resources, communications, public relations, planning, or closely related field and three years of experience performing work related to water resources OR any combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must pass pre-employment medical testing for the ability to perform the essential functions of the position and maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Must pass a  background investigation.
• Possession of a valid Washington State Driver’s License is required upon hire and a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.
• Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the immigration Reform and Control Act.
• Possession of or ability to obtain within one month a valid first aid card.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Basic water resource principles, including the hydrologic cycle; stream, lake, and wetland ecology; non-point pollution sources and impacts, and associated local, state, and federal regulations related to water resources.
• Basic science including biology; meteorology; physics; and geology.
• Practical considerations and social and political realities associated with implementation of water resource protection measures.
• Grant preparation and management.  Includes writing letters, grant applications, and public education and information materials that are clear, accurate, interesting, and effective.
• Education theory and practice, including evaluative methods and curriculum development.
• Public outreach programs that successfully result in bringing about improvements in water resource protection and water conservation measures.
• Various aspects of volunteer management, including recruiting, coordinating, scheduling, and maintaining volunteers to perform a variety of tasks.
• Water quality monitoring techniques, field collection techniques, equipment calibration and maintenance, and quality assurance procedures in the field.
• IBM compatible computers, databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and other software applications.

Ability to:

• Thoroughly explain water resource protection issues and problems and possible solutions as well as the intent and reason behind any regulations.  Must be flexible where appropriate and occasionally offers to follow up within two to three working days if unsure of information.
• Prepare and present water resource related topics to a broad range of audiences in an informative and interesting manner.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, community groups, businesses, representatives of public and private agencies, and the general public.
• Develop and meet program goals; complete assignments on time.
• Work in rough terrain, at all times of day or night, in all weather conditions.
• Look for opportunities to build trust, is willing to give reasons why, follows up on answers, researches more data if needed, and reflect the City in a positive, service oriented manner.
• Plan, organize, and implement projects and assignments; portray an image of knowledge, confidence, professionalism, and caring to the general public.
• Work independently within general guidelines and direction.

The City provides a generous benefits package that includes paid health insurance premiums for the employee and a large portion paid for family members, life and long term disability insurance, membership in the Department of Retirement Systems, vacation accruals, paid sick leave and holidays.

This position is represented by AFSCME 618-L.

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INSTRUCTIONS: Please read the following instructions before you proceed in responding to the supplemental questions below. Answers to the supplemental questions will be evaluated by subject matter experts. You must answer each question in it’s entirety for it to be considered as a complete answer. You must also answer the remainder of these questions as truthfully and as accurately as possible. Please do not refer to your resume or other attached documents, or copy and paste information from your resume or other attached documents, in lieu of answering any questions. Your responses must be typed in the space provided for each question. Your responses may be assessed in subsequent examinations and any sign of deliberate misinformation or intentional exaggeration may result in disqualification from the examination process and possible elimination from future employment opportunities with the City of Lacey. As part of the interview process, you may be invited to come in and perform a work assessment prior to interviews related to the duties of this position. Please note that the work experience section must be completed a Resume AND Letter of Interest must be attached. Please indicate “yes” to show that you have read these instructions and understand that your application may be considered incomplete if any of the above criteria are not met.

• Yes
• No

02

A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required at the time of application. Do you have a high school diploma or G.E.D.?

• Yes
• No

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Are you legally eligible for employment in the United States? *Successful applicants will be required to provide proof of identity and eligibility for employment.

• Yes
• No

04

A valid Washington State Drivers License is required at the time of hire. Do you have a valid Washington State Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

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Do you have a valid First Aid certification?

• Yes
• No

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Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, communications, public relations, planning, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a minimum of three years of experience performing work related to water resources?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered yes to the previous question, please detail your experience including the types of projects that you have been involved with, the duties performed, and your role in the process.

09

Do you have experience with public meetings?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered yes to the previous question, please detail your experience including the types of meetings, the type of audiences, your role, and the various topics that you have presented.

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Do you have experience producing educational materials?

• Yes
• No

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If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe the types of materials that you have created and the purpose for which they were intended. (i.e. brochures, flyers, newsletters, etc.) Please be as specific as possible.

Required Question

AgencyCity of Lacey

Address 420 College Street SE

Lacey, Washington, 98503

Phone360-491-3214

Website http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us