Salary : $126,484.80 - $153,732.80 Annually
Location : Los Vaqueros Watershed Office; 100 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 732 - MS - 2026
Department: Watershed and Lands
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION

The Opportunity

The Contra Costa Water District is seeking an experienced Watershed Resources Specialist to join the team responsible for protecting and managing the Los Vaqueros Watershed. You'll work alongside the Watershed team to advance conservation goals, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver exceptional public programs at one of the region's premier open space and water supply assets.
Why You'll Enjoy This Role
Work in Remarkable Terrain

• Spend your days in a working watershed landscape - managing trails, facilities, and natural resources across thousands of acres of open land.
• Regularly observe and monitor native wildlife and sensitive habitats, supporting the enforcement of protections that preserve this landscape.
• Operate within a strong safety culture - field hazard awareness, equipment protocols, and emergency response are built into every aspect of the work.

Varied, meaningful work

• No two days are the same, you'll move between environmental compliance, public education, infrastructure oversight, and resource management.
• Work alongside a passionate team of land stewards, sharing knowledge and best practices in environmental protection and resource management.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Key Responsibilities

• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with employees, contractors, and environmental regulatory agency representatives.
• Direct day-to-day operations of public recreation facilities and trails, including volunteer, interpretive, and community education programs.
• Coordinate with fisheries, cultural resources, and public information staff and partner agencies on resources management projects and programs.
• Oversee watershed law enforcement and public safety operations; issue citations, support fire suppression and prevention, and provide wilderness assistance as needed.
• Prepare and review environmental, regulatory, and technical reports; submit required documentation to local, state, and federal agencies.
• Develop and implement goals, policies, and standard operating procedures for assigned operations in support of the Watershed Resources Superintendent.

For a full description of examples of duties, please refer to the job descriptions by visiting the following:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in watershed management, biology, environmental science, natural resources management, wildlife management, forestry, wildland recreation management, or related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in land management or the administration of natural resources; preparing environmental documents, conducting environmental mitigation studies, and evaluating biological impacts and ecological restoration; and/or administration of wildland recreation and public interpretive and education programs and activities, including one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience.
Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license to be maintained throughout employment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain possession of a valid California PC 832 certificate within one year of employment.

For a full description of required knowledge, skills, and abilities, please refer to the job descriptions by visiting the following link:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
When assigned to field, must possess strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, and crouch in the performance of assigned duties; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District sites; and vision to conduct surveys. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas and hiking long distances carrying light to moderate loads. Finger dexterity is needed to operate tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to carry, push, pull, and lift materials and objects up to 25 pounds. When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees primarily work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants. Employees also work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Employees may be required to work various shifts and outside of normal shift hours on evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

In addition to a competitive salary, the Contra Costa Water District offers an excellent benefits package!
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 21 non-temporary positions benefits include:

Health & Insurance Benefits

• Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary participation in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for dependent care and healthcare reimbursements
• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering counseling and referral services for employees and eligible dependents
• Health Insurance Credit for eligible dependents who have other medical benefit coverage

Retirement & Financial Benefits

• Flexible Benefit of $150 per month, equating to $1,800 annually
• Voluntary participation in the 401(a) and 457(b) deferred compensation plans, with up to a 4% employer match
• 1% employer contribution to a 401(a) deferred compensation plan for employees with 10 or more years of CCWD service (no employee contribution required)
• Participation in Social Security and Medicare
• Defined benefit retirement plan with reciprocity through California Public Employees' Retirement System and CalPERS reciprocal agencies
  • Reciprocal agency service does not count toward the 5-year or 10-year vesting requirement for fully paid retiree medical
  • Employees with classic reciprocity are eligible for a 2.35% at 55 retirement formula
  • New hires not eligible for classic reciprocity are covered under the 2% at 62 PEPRA defined benefit formula
• Employer-paid retiree health insurance for retirees and eligible dependents
  • Local 21 employees currently contribute 2.3% of base pay on a pre-tax basis for this benefit
  • Employees hired on or after January 1, 2016, are subject to a 10-year District service vesting requirement to qualify for fully paid retiree medical upon direct retirement from CCWD
  • The CCWD contracts with California Public Employees' Retirement System for medical benefits

Paid Leave & Work-Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays annually
• 56 hours of paid administrative leave per year in lieu of compensatory time off for FLSA-exempt classifications
  • FLSA non-exempt classifications, such as Management Assistant positions, do not receive administrative leave
• 40 hours of vacation credit upon hire
• Vacation accrual of 10 days during the first year, increasing to 15 days per year beginning in year two, with additional accrual increases thereafter
• 96 hours of sick leave accrued annually
• Part-time benefits are prorated in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Wellness, Development & Additional Perks

• Comprehensive Wellness Program, including a monthly $50 wellness stipend
• Educational Assistance Program providing up to $3,000 per fiscal year, per employee
• Free admission to Los Vaqueros Reservoir, offering recreation areas, fishing, boating, and hiking trails
• And more

For additional information and the full details, eligibility, and provisions regarding the CCWD's applicable benefits package, please visit:
01

This position requires at least four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in land management or the administration of natural resources; preparing environmental documents, conducting environmental mitigation studies, and evaluating biological impacts and ecological restoration; and/or administration of wildland recreation and public interpretive and education programs and activities, including one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02

Please describe your experience in any of the following areas, including any lead or supervisory experience. For each area where you have experience, include the employer, your role, the number of years, and a brief description of your responsibilities. Your response should be specific and detailed. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer.1. Land Management & Natural Resources Administration2. Environmental Planning & Biological Assessment3. Wildland Recreation & Public Programs
03

Describe your experience coordinating with or overseeing environmental services consultants. Include the types of projects involved, your specific role, and responsibilities.
Required Question