Water Efficiency Specialist

General Description

Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for two (2) Water Efficiency Specialists in our Water Efficiency Department.

The District

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County.

IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making.

Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.

The Position

Under direct supervision, Water Efficiency Specialists are responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of water efficiency programs and working with customers and staff to reduce the District's water demand.

Summary of Duties

Perform a variety of functions related to water efficiency program implementation. Respond to inquiries in writing or on the phone about programs, provide information and materials as needed to customer to assist in saving water. Primary responder to water efficiency-related phone calls, emails, and walk-in customer inquiries.

Respond to assigned customer assistance requests in a timely manner.

Monitor monthly customer usage against allocations, and notify customers of excess usage. Educate customers with regard to the IRWD budget based tiered rate structure, including evapotranspiration, provide seasonal watering schedule and information about low-water use plants and efficient watering practices.

Solicit, schedule and conduct on-site surveys/inspections for high use residential, commercial, industrial, and landscape customers, as assigned. Provide customers with assistance in detecting leaks, measuring landscape areas for water budgets, making recommendations on efficient water use techniques, equipment improvement, and other methods of achieving more efficient use.

Assist in the planning, development and implementation of residential, commercial, and institutional water conservation programs and projects. Provide data gathering and entry in support of conservation programs, research studies and grants.

Assist with program participation monitoring and management of schedule, budget and consultant resources and coordination of contracts, agreements, and purchase orders.

Assist in preparing materials and packets for events. Help develop content, attend and make presentations at community workshops or events, and assist in publicizing the District's water efficiency programs. Participate in tours and workshops in evenings and on weekends as necessary.

Confer with representatives of the landscape profession, other utilities, industry associations, and manufacturers and vendors of water devices as necessary to remain current on new developments in the field of water efficiency.

Perform field work, which consists of driving to various properties and or substantial walking on streets, sidewalks and uneven landscape terrains.

Interact with customers, landscapers, and contractors with the goal of fulfilling various project related responsibilities such as determining the irrigated area of associated meters.

Represent the District at professional or industry group meetings.

Develop knowledge of proper plants and their irrigation needs for Southern California climate appropriate landscapes.

Use a personal computer to enter, maintain, and analyze water use data, and prepare reports and correspondence.

Comply with work-related safetypractices and attend relevant safety training.

Responsible for all other work related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree with emphasis in environmental studies, environmental science, water resources, physical sciences, horticulture, or a related field. For degrees obtained outside of the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.

Experience

• Work experience in water efficiency or related discipline is desirable.

License/Certifications

• A valid California Class C driver's license is required.
• AWWA Water Use Efficiency Practitioner Level I certification preferred.

Additional Information

IRWD Corporate Values

Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do.

Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website.

We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the public, co-workers and supervisors using the principles of good customer service and effectively handle sensitive customer relation situations using tact and diplomacy. Communicate effectively with all levels of office, management, and field employees.

Represent the District in a professional manner. Public-speaking skills. Interact with District staff, customers who are often upset and dissatisfied and the public.

Mathematical Ability

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide and calculate percentages, decimals and fractions.

Technology Ability

Intermediate level of proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) or equivalent word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Read and interpret complex data and information.

Observe and interpret situations. Work on multiple, concurrent tasks. Must be organized with the ability to multi-task and make decisions independently.

Physical Requirements

Regularly required to sit, bend, stoop, stand and walk. Regularly required to lift up to 40 lbs. when setting up and taking down displays for special events. Field work involves driving to customer locations throughout the District.

Environmental Adaptability

Noise level is generally equivalent to typical office environment. This position involves both office and field work.

Employees are exposed to outside weather conditions. Work with constant interruptions.