Water Resources Specialist

Salary : $99,738.60 - $121,232.54 Annually
Location : 630 Garden St., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number:
Department: Water Resources
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/19/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION
Update 10/5/26: The application period is scheduled to close on Monday, October 19, 2026 at 5:30pm PT. All applicants will receive an update on their status within 2 weeks of the job bulletin closing date.
THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Department is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Water Resources Specialist. Under supervision performs a range of duties related to the management of the City's water resources, administering elements of the City's municipal code in relation to water-related land development, administering elements of the City's water conservation program, and performing a variety of technical tasks within the City's Water Supply and Services Division. Typical duties may include:

• Provide exemplary customer service by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, and respectful.
• Serve as the lead customer service representative for water-related land development tasks, including new services, metering, customer account classification, landscape water efficiency, Can and Will Serve Letters, and capacity charges.
• Review land development applications and plans for compliance with City's water metering regulations.
• Serve as contact with Water Systems Division on land development and metering issues.
• Review land development plans and perform field inspections for projects subject to the City's Water Efficient Landscape Standards.
• Provide site visits in support of the City's landdevelopment and water conservation programs.
• Generates reports, analyzes trends, and interprets water use data from Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to assist customers and enhance water conservation measures.
• Provide water conservation phone evaluations, including home, irrigation and business water audits and makes recommendations to improve efficiency.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and promoting the City's water efficient landscape program, including rebate program management; management of landscape water consumption and water budget data; dedicated irrigation meter program management; and public outreach regarding efficient landscape water use.
• Serve as lead for Water Resources Division on the City's utility billing system, including customer account management, database analysis, and water and wastewater rates and fees. Administer process for updating City's water rates and fees and administer Reserved Capacity Fees.
• Other related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:

• Basic operations, services, and activities of water conservation programs, utility account management, water distribution and water supply planning.
• Principles and practices of research, analysis, and report preparation.
• Recent developments, current literature and information related to water conservation.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and safety regulations.
• Principles and practices of program development and implementation.

Ability to:

• Providing effective and courteous customer service.
• Contribute to the City's Water Supply planning efforts.
• Provide site visits for domestic and recycled water-related activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including the general public.
• Interpret and explain City policies and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience using complex databases, spreadsheet and database software and preparing comprehensive reports.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in resource conservation programs, water supply planning and administration, and/or public outreach, preferably with a public utility or municipality.

Education and/or Training:

• Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, communications, environmental studies/sciences, water resources, engineering, public or business administration or a related field.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for a continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.

FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION, CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026.

THESALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:

Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership, which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• A standard 9/80 schedule is observed, with most offices closed every other Friday.
• Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holidays: 12 holidays are observed / year. Paid holiday time is awarded at the employee's applicable schedule, i.e., 9/80, 4/10, etc.
• Retirement: The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • PERS Miscellaneous Formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; City contributes employee 12.03% and employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits are available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: General Unit Rate Sheet.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan: Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $362.38 / month.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment ($50,000 each) are provided.
• Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is provided.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1.1% of salary. For 2025, the anticipated SDI/PFL rate is 1.2% of salary.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.

Revised 12/1/2024
01

The following Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination for this position and will be used in determining your qualifications. In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. Responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in your application not being considered. By continuing in the recruitment process, you are certifying that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge. If you are selected to continue in the recruitment process, your qualifications may be evaluated through employment verification, reference checks, written/skill assessment, and oral examinations. Select "Yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02

Describe your experience in database management particularly in utility billing software if applicable, including inquiry, utilization of standardized reports, and development of customized reporting and analysis.
03

Describe your knowledge of and experience in supporting water conservation programs, with particular emphasis on efficient landscape programs. Do you have specific landscape irrigation and/or plant experience? Are you familiar with landscape design plans, or other land development plans?
04

Describe your experience and abilities dealing with members of the public in person, on the phone or through written correspondence while serving in a customer service role or other similar interpersonal interactions.
05

Describe your experience with land development and water metering, particularly Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and associated data, if applicable.
Required Question