Associate Engineer - Water Resources Planning



Associate Engineer - Water Resources Planning

Salary

$140,337.60 - $179,670.40 Annually

Location

CA, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

01873-E

Division

Water Supply

Unit

Imported Water

Opening Date

03/13/2025

Closing Date

3/25/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Overview:

Do you have at least four years of experience working on water resources planning and engineering projects? Do you thrive working as part of a team to analyze complex civil engineering issues and work towards solutions that benefit your community? Does the idea of partnering with local and state agencies, water districts and other stakeholders to ensure the long-term supply of clean, safe, reliable, and healthy for Santa Clara County intrigue you? If so, please check out this Associate Civil Engineering position.

The Associate Civil Engineer position in the Imported Water Unit provides technical and project management support to: 

  • Protect and promote Valley Water’s interests in imported water contracts.
  • Develop imported water supplies consistent with Valley Water’s water supply planning efforts.
  • Engage in statewide evaluation of water supply planning efforts.
  • Improve the efficient integration of imported water supplies with Valley Water operations.

Our Commitment: 
Racial equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to Valley Water. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity, contributes to inclusion, and strengthens belonging by broadening our perspective and collective understanding of the world around us to accomplish our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:
Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Perform analyses of engineering, operational, and economic data to support imported water projects, including surface and groundwater storage projects. 
  • Review and analyze computer modeling results, including appropriateness of input, assumptions, and modeling methods, and specify output requirements.
  • Review engineering plans and reports regarding construction and operation of proposed new facilities.
  • Prepare spreadsheets to analyze costs, benefits, risks, and constraints of proposed projects and programs, and to document transactions and other records.
  • Research current technical information, historical files, legislative histories, etc. to prepare analyses and reports.
  • Support senior staff in the development, negotiation and administration of water supply contracts and cooperative agreements with other water districts, State and Federal agencies, and other interests
  • Understand the administrative, financial, and operational requirements of existing water supply contracts and follow through with assigned actions to ensure compliance.
  • Represent Valley Water in meetings and on committees; participate in technical development work conducted by coalitions of agencies; and provide support in technical negotiations.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

  • Four (4) years of experience working on water resources planning and engineering projects.
  • Experience coordinating and performing reviews of a variety of complex work such as water supply modeling; analyzing operational, regulatory, financial, and administrative issues associated with complex water supply systems; developing and analyzing water supply contracts; and evaluating engineering plans, designs, and hydraulics analyses.
  • Experience working with teams comprised of representatives from diverse organizations towards a common objective. 

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

  • Ability to learn and adapt to new challenges that may involve the integration of technical, political, and legal issues.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Ability to proactively work towards solving problems.
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to utilize knowledge and experience to build strong relationships and trust both internally and externally.

Ideal Knowledge:

  • Master planning.
  • Operations, regulation, legislation, and related issues associated with the state and federal water supply systems.

Ideal Training and Education:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a field related to assigned functional area(s) OR possession of a valid California Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate with two (2) years of associated paraprofessional engineering experience.

Coursework in surface and groundwater conveyance, water quality, water resources issues, environmental engineering, mathematics, economics, and statistics.

PE is desirable but not required.

Required License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

To review the Classification Specification, please click here

Imported Water Unit (Position Code 385) 

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.

Selection Process

(1)   The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2)   The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.
 
NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  To view a summary of benefits, click here

01
I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.
  • Yes
  • No
02
Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.
  • Yes
  • No
03
Please indicate your years of professional engineering experience (Assistant Engineer or above).
  • 0-4 years
  • 4+ years or more
04
Please check all that apply to your level of education, training, and certification.
  • Graduated from an accredited four-year college/university with major coursework in Civil and/or Environmental Engineering or related engineering discipline
  • Possess a California Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate
  • Possess a Professional Engineer's License
  • None of the above
05
Please indicate your years of professional water resources planning and engineering experience.
  • 0-2 years
  • 2-4 years
  • 4+ years or more
06
This position requires travel, including overnight stays of up to 3 days a month and 4-5 hours of freeway driving several days a month. Last-minute travel may also be required. Are you willing and able to accommodate this kind of travel demand?
  • Yes
  • No
07
Describe your skills, knowledge, and experience as they relate to the position of Associate Civil Engineer in the Imported Water Unit at Valley Water, particularly emphasizing your experience with water resources planning and engineering.
08
Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
09
Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

Required Question

Employer
Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)
Address
5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, California, 95118
Phone
1-408-630-2260