WATER CONSERVATION SPECIALIST II OR III

CITY OF WILLITS

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: WATER CONSERVATION SPECIALIST II OR III

REPORTS TO: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Water Conservation Specialist is under general direction of the Community Development Director. Partial funding for the position is being provided through a Sustainable Communities Grant (SCGL) awarded to the City by the California Pollution Control Financing Authority. The grant period ends March 3, 2011. The primary responsibility of the Water Conservation Specialist will be to develop and manage a comprehensive water conservation program for the City which will include an analysis of unaccounted for water usage. In fulfilling requirements of the SCGL grant, the Water Conservation Specialist will be involved in the design and implementation of a Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration Project, A Pond and Bioswale Runoff Control Demonstration Project, and a Closed-system Greywater Recovery Demonstration Project, and the development of a water user’s handbook. Related functions may include surface water runoff and storm drainage systems; assisting with NPDES permits, programs and activities; and general water quality control efforts. Additional tasks may include assisting in implementing various water conservation programs; assisting in analyzing water rate structures; applying for and managing water conservation grants; performing residential, commercial and landscape water audits at various customer field locations; providing consultation on residential and landscape water conservation; responding to customer inquiries or complaints, analyzing data and preparing regular reports and press releases on water conservation issues; making policy recommendations for improvements of goals and objectives; and organizing and participating in public education and outreach programs designed to promote water conservation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reading and writing; giving and receiving oral instructions, oral communication with public, use of hands for typing; visual observation at meetings, ability to work long hours occasionally; driving motor vehicle.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The examples of work performed are neither restricted to nor all-encompassing of the duties to be performed under this job title.)

• Performs indoor residential water audits by conducting field inspections and tests, including those for leaky toilets and sinks; calculates flow rates of showers and faucets, toilet dams, and instructs customers on other ways to save water in and around the home.

• Conducts outdoor audits including testing and analyzing commercial and residential landscaping systems, pointing out deficiencies in sprinkler placement and developing a watering schedule for the customer; teaches customers how to read their own water meter and recommends installation of water saving plumbing fixtures.

• Performs field inspections and measurements at customer locations; reviews water use records and calculates annual water consumption by site.

• Meets with customers in person at their homes and places of business; answers their inquiries and provides general information and advice on water conservation measures and practices.

• Answers the phone, sends out educational materials, processes forms, keeps simple records, files and statistics of work activities; performs data entry work using a computer.

• Serves as the City’s representative at community meetings to promote water conservation techniques.

• Develops presentations related to water conservation issues and delivers them at public events and school functions.

• Gives oral reports on work performed and prepares simple written reports, upon request.

• Operates a motor vehicle, a personal computer, and uses basic hand tools; performs all work in accordance with safe work practices.

• Assists customer services staff in responding to or resolving unusual customer problems or complaints, upon request.

• Works with the Water Department to identify and eliminate unaccounted for water usage to the extent practible.

• Performs related duties as required.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of gardening and irrigation systems.

• Basic principles of plumbing.

• Basic principles of customer service.

• Basic principles of municipal water systems.

• Basic use of Microsoft Windows, Word, and Excel.

• Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence construction.

Ability to:

• Make mathematical calculations of moderate difficulty.

• Understand, interpret and apply City policies to field situations.

• Analyze water conservation problems, identify alternatives and recommend solutions.

• Operate a personal computer.

• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing (Ability to communicate in Spanish is desirable).

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

EXPERIENCE:

Water Conservation Specialist II: One year of work experience either (1) in water conservation, landscaping, water systems, plumbing or a related field, or (2) in field or office work involving public outreach or frequent customer contact.

Water Conservation Specialist III: Three years of work experience in both (1) water conservation, landscaping, water systems, plumbing or a related field, and (2) field or office work involving public outreach or frequent customer contact.

Note: Experience in designing and implementing water conservation programs and projects is highly desirable as is experience in working with municipal water systems and with various state and regional agencies and organizations relevant to water quality and conservation.

EDUCATION:

Water Conservation Specialist II: Minimum completion of High School diploma or equivalent (college level course work in natural sciences, biology, chemistry, physics or statistics is desirable).

Water Conservation Specialist III: Experience and education equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree, with major course work in water resources, hydrology, environmental science, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree can be substituted for one year of experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS;

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

• Flexible schedule to accommodate occasional evening and weekend opportunities and events.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed both in office and outdoor settings. Frequent walking, standing, ability to climb stairs, writing, bending, sitting in office chair, keyboarding and visual contact with computer terminal, reaching and lifting above shoulders, carrying boxes of materials for short distances, driving motor vehicle, see, talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.