Description
Salary: $51,989.33 - $73,154.21 Annually
Location: Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Career
Job Number: 016975-26-DOU
Department: Utilities
Division: Water Policy & Regional Plan
Opening Date: 07/05/2026
Closing Date: 07/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
THE POSITION
The Water Conservation Specialist’s primary duties include scheduling and conducting Water Wise House/Business Calls, as well as pre and post inspections involving incentive programs, including but not limited to the following: turfgrass conversion projects, irrigation efficiency upgrade projects and smart irrigation controller installations.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate for the Water Conservation Specialist position will have a strong analytical skillset, can work independently, and is highly motivated to engage with customers at outreach events or by appointment to help them use water more efficiently both inside and outside the home or business. Knowledge of the City’s water conservation services and rebates is preferred in the ideal candidate.
Under general supervision, the Water Conservation Specialist performs a variety of specialized duties in support of the City's water conservation programs; promotes water conservation and monitors water consumption; conducts field inspections and investigations to assure compliance with the City's water conservation ordinances, codes, policies, regulations, and water efficient guidelines; and may assist in researching, compiling, and reviewing water efficiency data and cost-effectiveness information.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a journey level class populated with multiple incumbents. Incumbents must work independently and exercise technical judgment in both field and administrative roles on a daily basis. The Water Conservation Specialist is distinguished from the Water Conservation Supervisor in that the latter is responsible for planning, directing, and supervising the employees and water conservation activities. This class is distinguished from the class of Water Conservation Representative in that the latter is responsible for investigating reports of water waste and assisting with water conservation education and outreach programs and may read water meter on assigned routes and perform duties related to reading meters.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Monitor water consumption of commercial and residential customers; conduct field inspections and investigations to assure compliance with the City's water ordinances, codes, policies, regulations, and water efficiency guidelines; explain codes, laws, policies, and regulations pertaining to water waste to customers; issue warnings and initiate water shut-offs to correct water waste problems; and testify in court as required.
Educate the public, businesses, landscape managers, and City customers on water efficient irrigation practices, irrigation controller programming, irrigation designs and practices, and watering requirements which may include making presentations at a variety of public events.
Assist in the implementation of the City's water efficiency programs.
Assist with the research, to compile, and assemble data to produce statistical, historical, and analytical documents regarding water consumption for residential, commercial, institutional, and irrigation customers.
Resolve wasteful water complaints and irrigation problems.
Maintain accurate records of response, description, and resolution of wasteful water calls.
Assist in the administration and coordination of special events, trainings, programs or projects.
Develop or assist in developing reports, presentations, correspondence, informational brochures, flyers, and promotional materials regarding water conservation.
May provide lead direction to lower level staff.
Provides exceptional customer service to those contacted in the course of work.
Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in water system operation and maintenance.
Principles and practices of landscape management methods for residential, commercial, and institutional applications.
Principles of water conservation strategies and programs.
Pertinent water conservation rules, regulations, and policies.
Fundamentals of irrigation systems, pumps, valves, and controllers.
Basic principles of training.
Methods and techniques for making formal and informal public presentations
Fundamentals of water meters, weather stations, and transponders and other related equipment.
Computer programs and software including word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.
City streets and boundaries.
Investigative principles and practices.
Ability to:
Maintain technical, statistical, and historical documents and databases.
Conduct and complete research projects.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing at a level necessary for efficient performance.
Communicate with the public on a tactful and professional level.
Convey rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws to the public in a polite, professional manner.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Interpret technical information and exercise expertise in the field.
Operate tools and equipment necessary for performance in the field.
Understand written and verbal instructions.
Contribute to the development and strengthening of a team environment
Work without immediate supervision.
Learn new computer programs and customer information systems, including automated utility billing system.
Provide technical and functional support to staff as assigned.
Compile and monitor a variety of data; prepare and maintain routine logs and records.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:
Successful completion of twelve (12) semester or fifteen (15) quarter units of coursework in water conservation, irrigation technology, landscape architecture, agriculture industry, environmental sciences, or closely related field from an accredited college or university.
-AND-
Experience:
Four years of experience working with the public, including one year of irrigation scheduling, irrigation system installation, and/or maintenance or closely related fieldwork involving landscape design, industrial water processing, water distribution, water treatment, or water quality.
Substitution:
An additional year of experience in irrigation scheduling, irrigation system installation, and/or maintenance or closely related fieldwork involving landscape design, industrial water processing, water distribution, water treatment, or water quality may substitute for the required education.
PROOF OF EDUCATION
Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Certification:
Must possess or obtain during probationary period, Irrigation Association Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) certification.
Possession of or ability to obtain, by the end of twelve month probationary period, a Water Use Efficiency Grade 1 Certification issued by the California-Nevada American Water Works Association is desirable.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Employees must complete twelve (12) months probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.
