Temporary Water Resource Technician (2-Year Limited Term)
Job Description
Do you have a passion for protecting and preserving open space? Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) is seeking a skilled and motivated Water Resources Technician to join our team of resource management professionals working to protect and restore the natural environment within Midpen’s land in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the San Francisco Peninsula. While there is regular field work, the ideal candidate will also bring strong communication, project management, data management, and collaboration skills to the position.
About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with more than 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! Check out the Working for Midpen video on our Employment Opportunities page.
About the Position: The Water Resources Technician is responsible for the routine monitoring of water quality during baseline conditions and after disturbances in aquatic habitats and drinking water systems, including the cataloging, organizing, and analyzing of data to assist in long-term planning for water use and water quality management in Midpen’s open space preserves. In this position, you will collect water samples, measure water quality and habitat quality parameters directly in waterbodies, and maintain residential water-supply systems, which will include the maintenance, operation, and calibration of portable water meters and other equipment and the submission of laboratory samples. This position will perform work to comply with county, state, and federal regulations related to drinking water safety, water rights, and Clean Water Act permits, such as generating required data sets or reports for submittal to regulatory agencies and other governing bodies. General responsibilities of this position will also include engaging in the restoration and management of aquatic resources; supporting managing consultants and contractors; writing detailed technical summaries and reports for District staff and the public; preparing grant applications; and conducting surveys in the field. This position requires excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Experience in maintaining and testing rural residential water treatment and supply, or water quality monitoring and testing, is highly desirable.
The Water Resources Technician I performs most of the duties required of the position but at an entry-level to support the Water Resources Specialist and the Natural Resources Program. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with increasing independence. At this level, the Technician will assist with routine monitoring of water quality, data collection, data entry, report filing, submission of laboratory samples, and care of water quality monitoring equipment. The Technician will assist with management of consultants and contractors; help to prepare detailed technical summaries and reports, grant applications; and assist with field surveys. Work is typically assigned to small scale projects or to support larger scale projects that are managed by more experienced resource management staff.
The Water Resources Technician II performs the full range of duties required to plan, develop, and coordinate water quality monitoring, reporting, permitting and coordination. Technicians at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies. The Technician will independently catalogue, organize, and analyze data to assist in long-term planning for water use and water quality management in Midpen’s open space preserves. The Technician will manage consultants and contractors independently; write detailed technical summaries and reports for District staff and the public; prepare grant applications; and design and lead field surveys.
The Water Resources Technician (Resource Management Specialist I/II) job description, can be found on our job description page at www.openspace.org.
A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job
- Collaborative work that directly supports Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment and contributes to providing nature’s benefits to everyone
- You’ll be part of a talented and dynamic team of bright, energetic, and motivated professionals with a passion for the outdoors, trails, and preserving open space
- Excellent employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement pension through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
Work Environment: The Water Resources Technician functions within a team environment in the Natural Resources Department at Midpen’s office in Los Altos, California and reports to the Water Resources Specialist. In addition to working in the office, the Water Resources Technician will often work in the field and hike through steep terrain and wildland areas. Fieldwork will require driving in remote areas on dirt roads, working in temperatures ranging from cold and blustery to hot and dry, with exposure to poison oak. Ideal candidates will be comfortable working in these types of field conditions, as well as in an office environment. Midpen offers a hybrid office/telecommute and 9/80 work schedule for this position.
Education and Experience: 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:
Water Resources Technician (RMS I): equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in watershed science/management, hydrology, water law/policy, engineering, ecology, biology, wildlife, or other closely related subject. One (1) year of experience in evaluating, surveying, or monitoring of natural resources systems is highly desired. Annual Pay Range: $93,226-$116,412
Water Resources Technician (RMS II): equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in watershed science/management, hydrology, water law/policy, engineering, ecology, biology, wildlife, or other closely related subject and two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in evaluating, surveying, or monitoring of natural resources systems. Annual Pay Range: $102,762-$128,349
Licenses & Certifications Required: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License. Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a State of California Department of Public Health – Water Treatment Operator Grade T1 – Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 certification.
Benefits: This 2-year limited term position is fully benefitted. Midpen provides an excellent benefits package including health, life & disability insurance as well as CalPERS pension. Please see the Benefits page on Midpen’s website for details.
How to Apply
How to Apply: apply via this link online at CalOpps.org.
(To avoid missing email communication regarding your status in this recruitment, add [email protected] to your contacts or list of safe senders).
Open until filled. First application review is January 21, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply early! Applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications suitable for the position will be invited to interview. Application window may close at any time after January 21st without notice.
The following application items are required to be considered*:
- Fully completed CalOpps employment application
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Supplemental question responses
*Incomplete CalOpps employment applications, or applications without the required application items listed here, will not be considered for the position.
Interview Schedule: (dates subject to change)
First Interview (virtual): February 7 & 8, 2024 (candidates will be assigned an interview on only one day)
Field Exercise/Written/Second Interview (in person – location TBD): February 20, 2024
A note to applicants who currently live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area: before committing to the application process, and if you haven’t done so already, we suggest evaluating the feasibility of relocation. We recommend researching the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area, the cost to relocate, and typical commute times to Los Altos from outlying areas.
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