Water Policy & Resources Development Analyst I/II (Water Efficiency)

SALARY: $84,316 - $122,940 Annually

OPENING DATE: January 2, 2024

CLOSING DATE: January 31, 2024

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed District Online Application. A cover letter and resume are highly encouraged as they are valuable to the evaluation process. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which will include a panel interview and possible written exercise.

DESCRIPTION:

West Basin Municipal Water District (District) is a leader in water recycling, conservation, water resource management, and youth and adult education. West Basin provides drinking water and recycled water to eight local retail water agencies including four cities, three private water companies, and one county water agency. The District serves a population of nearly one million residents in 17 cities and unincorporated areas along the coastal corridor of southern Los Angeles County. The District is governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors and is a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

West Basin operates the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility (ECLWRF) and three satellite treatment plants. The ECLWRF is the largest treatment and water purification facility of its type providing nearly 40 million gallons of water each day to over 400 sites. West Basin utilizes various advanced treatment processes to produce five types of “fit-for-purpose” waters used for commercial, industrial, and landscape purposes.

West Basin owns and operates over 100 miles of recycled water pipelines and supplies recycled water to customers for non-potable use. To expand the use of recycled water, the District assists customers with the process of converting their sites to recycled water use. In addition, the District conducts site inspections to ensure compliance with the safe use of recycled water.

West Basin is an equal-opportunity employer, promoting diversity in its recruitment process and programs. The District is committed to customer service and seeks to provide its customers with the most qualified and exceptional professional services through those it employs while offering an excellent benefits package to its employees.

THE POSITION:
West Basin is seeking a qualified Water Policy & Resources Analyst I or II (depending on the level of experience and qualifications) to join the Water Policy & Resources Development team to help develop a variety of cost-effective Water Efficiency and other water resources planning programs for West Basin's residential, landscape, and commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) customers.

The Water Policy & ResourcesAnalyst I/II, under general supervision, will assist in planning, coordinating, and implementing West Basin's water conservation programs and activities to achieve objectives of the Water Use Efficiency Master Plan. This may include various turf removal, CII Water Efficiency, disadvantaged community, and other related programs. Further, this position will assist in developing conservation program targets and water savings estimates to support long-term water supply planning efforts, as well as perform related duties as assigned.

This position will play a key role in developing strategies and programs aimed at helping West Basin’s retail agencies comply with California’s water conservation framework regulations. The person in this position will also be responsible for tracking and analyzing proposed Water Efficiency legislation and regulations and will help lead efforts to identify and apply for state and federal funding opportunities that support the District’s various Water Efficiency and conservation programs.

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Assists in developing a variety of cost-effective Water Efficiency programs for West Basin; and assists in creating and maintaining local funding partnerships in order to develop cost effective programs.

• Assists in planning, coordinating, and implementing West Basin's water conservation programs and activities to achieve objectives of the Water Use Efficiency Master Plan; and assists in developing conservation program targets and water savings estimates to support long-term water supply planning efforts.

• Oversees the District’s various turf removal and related programs, serving as a primary liaison between West Basin and local communities, businesses, public agencies, and other stakeholders in advancing turf removal as a long-term water reliability measure in the region.

• Administers the District’s CII Water Efficiency programs, with primary responsibility for developing programs and strategies that conserve water; assists West Basin’s retail agencies in complying with any CII performance measure requirements resulting from the statewide conservation framework.

• Researches, analyzes, and resolves customer issues; responds to a wide variety of inquiries on conservation programs from public and private organizations and individuals; and prepares periodic program reports.

• Researches, analyzes, and identifies opportunities for developing and implementing new conservation programs and water conservation partnerships with other public and private organizations; and assists in conducting cost/benefit analysis to determine water savings benefits versus program costs.

• Researches, monitors, and evaluates proposed legislative and regulatory proposals in the areas of Water Efficiency and conservation with potential impacts on West Basin; makes recommendations based on anticipated impacts on West Basin’s short- and long-term strategies, programs, and objectives.

• Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; and resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

• Assists in creating and maintaining the Water Efficiency budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors programmatic expenditures and performance against budget.

• Provides information to public and private groups about Water Efficiency programs and other water resources planning issues affecting the region; on occasion, may serve as a presenter at industry conferences to highlight West Basin’s programs and achievements.

• May participate on committees, boards, and other advisory bodies focused on advancing Water Efficiency issues locally and statewide.

• May directly or indirectly supervise department interns as assigned.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in political science, environmental studies(environmental policy or environmental law), public or business administration, engineering, planning or a closely related field; AND one (1) to three (3) years of progressively responsible experience managing Water Efficiency programs, performing water resources planning activities, and/or performing legislative and regulatory analysis; or an equivalent combination of training and experience (a minimum of one (1) year experience for the Water Policy & Resources Analyst I and three (3) years for Water Policy & Resources Analyst II).

• Federal or state regulatory agency experience or experience with a water or other governmental agency is desirable.

• Knowledge of the basic operational characteristics, services, and activities of water resource programs; basic principles and practices of water conservation; basic water conservation methods and techniques applicable to a highly varied customer base; and principles, practices and techniques and products used by water purveyors in water conservation programs.

• Knowledge of the basic methods and techniques of marketing and public outreach.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of administrative, procedural and regulatory analysis; federal, state and local legislative processes, including relevant committees, rules, staff and terminology used in development and markup of bills; and federal, state and local regulatory bodies, their regulatory development processes and influence points.

• Knowledge of the methods and practices of effective representation of West Basin interests; and principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.

• Knowledge of West Basin functions and operations and associated legislative and regulatory compliance issues; legislative analysis and research techniques and sources of information; and key federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to area of assignment.

• Knowledge of the principles, procedures, standards, practices, trends and information sources in the field of water resources planning; application of ordinances, legislation, policies, standards, procedures and historical practices associated with water resources planning; and terminology, symbols and techniques used in water resources planning.

• Knowledge of state and regional organizations; West Basin's and the Metropolitan Water District's delivery system; and customer agency pricing policies; sources and processes for obtaining state and federal grant funding.

• Ability to learn residential, landscape, commercial and industrial water consumption patterns and associated conservation opportunities.

• Ability to analyze legislative and regulatory language; collect and analyze data; evaluate potential interpretations, determine impacts on West Basin operations, reach sound conclusions regarding policy and program effectiveness, and make recommendations on environmental, legislative and intergovernmental issues.

• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound recommendations in areas of assigned responsibility.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment; manage multiple deadlines, workflow volume changes, and membership requests and inquiries.

• Ability to prepare clear, concise, accurate and complete summaries, analyses, reports, correspondence and other written materials.

• Ability to represent West Basin effectively with industry and professional groups and before public bodies; and participate in technical projects, studies and committees.

• Ability to understand and apply West Basin policies, regulations and programs, federal, state and local laws applicable to water resources planning; participate in the selection of consultants, and review work products and coordinate consultant work.

• Ability to identify grant opportunities applicable to West Basin and customer agencies; write grants; and understand legal and statistical data in technical reports.

• Ability to prioritize assignments and project tasks; respond to requests in a timely and efficient manner; and plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of West Basin management and staff, Board members, internal and external stakeholders, industry and professional organizations, and others encountered in the course of work.

• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; exercise independent judgment and initiative within general policy guidelines; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.

• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License, proof of insurance, and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment. The employee is required to use their vehicle with mileage reimbursed at the standard IRS rate.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

One vacancy is currently available. The salary range is $84,316 - $122,940 annually, depending on qualifications.

Apply by: January 31, 2024. Apply online at: www.westbasin.org. For questions or additional information, please contact West Basin Municipal Water District Human Resources Department, 17140 S. Avalon Boulevard, Carson, CA 90746, (310) 660-6275. Email: hr@westbasin.org.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed District Online Application. A cover letter and resume are highly encouraged as they are valuable to the evaluation process. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which will include a panel interview and possible written exercise.