Water Resources Director

Salary : $115,524.00 - $140,424.00 Annually
Location : Lake County, CA
Job Type: Full Time - Open to all applicants
Job Number: 24-047
Department:Water Resources
Opening Date: 02/09/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
General Recruitment Information
Recruitments for County positions are typically conducted to establish eligibility lists to fill countywide vacancies that occur during the active status of those lists (approximately 3 -12 months). Any person on a promotional eligibility list will be considered first by the hiring department(s) before persons on an open eligibility list.
The County of Lake only accepts applications for permanent positions when actively recruiting. Only online applications are accepted. It is the responsibility of each applicant to review the full job description and requirements.
The County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer. Veteran's Preference.
To apply for County examinations - All applications for County examinations must be submitted through the County's online application system. A completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each online application. All permanent County recruitments will be posted at with a link to the online application. The County of Lake reserves the right to limit the number of applications that will be accepted for any open recruitment, and any such limit will be included on the job posting. When a limit is posted, the recruitment is subject to close at any time prior to the final filing date. Completed online application packets must be submitted by the close of business on the date that the recruitment closes. All relevant experience must be included on the application to be considered - resumes and other attached documents will not be used to qualify an applicant. Relevant experience and/or education may be substituted at a ratio of 2 to 1 for the purpose of meeting minimum qualifications and applicants should contact the Human Resources department for details.
Important Notice - The provisions listed on job postings, job descriptions, or other recruitment materials do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Benefits may vary between bargaining units. Any provisions contained within job postings, job descriptions or other recruitment material may be modified or revoked without notice. All County of Lake applicants who are given a conditional employment offer must comply with the County's pre-employment medical review program before they may be appointed to the County position.
Application and Testing Information
This recruitment is open continuously. The first review of applications will be completed on March 3, 2024. Applications submitted after this date will be screened as received.
This position may qualify for a relocation reimbursement up to $3,500.
Minimum Qualifications
Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.
Education and Experience:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in business administration, public administration, civil engineering, environmental engineering, limnology, hydrology, hydraulics, Water Resources management, aquatic biology, or a closely related field.
AND
Five (5) years of full-time increasingly responsible experience in limnology, hydrology, Water Resources management, or a closely related field INCLUDING two (2) years of experience in a management or supervisory position.
Equivalent to a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in limnology, hydrology, hydraulics, Water Resources management, aquatic biology, or a directly related field is highly desirable.
Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.
Full Job Description
WATER RESOURCES DIRECTOR
DEFINITION
To plan, organize, direct, and manage the Department of Water Resources including Lakebed Management and all activities of the Watershed Protection District, including develop and implement Department of Water Resources ordinances and policies; to manage lands owned by the District; to perform and direct scientific projects related to water resource management in Lake County; to develop and administer the department budget; to direct the preparation of and prepare grant proposals and administer grants; to perform special assignments as directed by the Board of Supervisors; and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICSThis is a top-level management class series which has responsibility for managing and directing the Department of Water Resources, including the Lake County Watershed Protection District, Clear Lake, and Lakebed Management. The incumbent is responsible for providing high-level, complex scientific strategic leadership and guidance related to County water resource management.
This is a discrete classification. The incumbent in this management position serves at the pleasure of his/her appointing authority, which means the employment relationship is at-will, and that the County of Lake or the employee may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISEDReceives policy direction from the County Administrative Officer on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. Exercises direct and general supervision over professional, technical, and/or administrative staff.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIESClass specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the scope of duties performed by employees in this class and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

• Plans, organizes, directs, and manages the functions and activities of the Department of Water Resources.
• Provides supervision, training, and work evaluation for assigned staff.
• Provides administrative direction and oversight for department staff.
• Develops and implements department goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Provides scientific strategic leadership, advice, and guidance on water resource management issues.
• Formulates department procedures and policies.
• Approves department claims, develops, and administers the department budget.
• Develops, establishes, and administers policies and procedures related to the Department of Water Resources.
• Interprets policies and regulations for the public.
• Manages flood control, water conservation, groundwater management programs, and the County storm water program, ensuring that applicable federal, state, and local laws rules and regulations are enforced.
• Provides oversight for Clear Lake, lakebed, watershed, and adaptive management programs, including the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) permits for Clear Lake, ensuring that services are provided in accordance with federal and state laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
• Directs and performs field work when necessary, including but not limited to, water quality monitoring, streamflow measurements, restoration activities, etc.
• Conducts and/or directs research in watershed improvement, water conservation, ecosystem function, etc. through monitoring, modeling, etc.
• Tests and analyzes, or directs the testing and analyzing of data to determine the status of water chemistry, presence of aquatic plants, identification of unwanted bacteria, etc.
• Develops recommendations to resolve water quality issues.
• Serves as a consultant for the Board of Supervisors, the District Board of Directors, other County management staff, and other agencies regarding water conservation, flood control, and watershed management issues and programs.
• Maintains current knowledge of legislation, practices, and case decisions impacting the Department of Water Resources.
• Serves as a county advocate on a variety of water resource related issues.
• Directs, coordinates, and conducts a variety of studies and monitoring, including the preparation and presentation of reports regarding flood control, water conservation, water quality, watershed and lakebed management, and related activities.
• Develops and presents or directs the development and presentation of the results and findings of a variety of studies to the Board of Supervisors and the public.
• Researches and analyzes issues related to Water Resources and associated areas and makes presentations to a variety of committees, agencies, advisory groups, and community organizations.
• Has responsibility for the development and administration of grants.
• Identifies and develops additional funding sources.
• Has responsibility for the preparation and administration of contracts and operating agreements related to Water Resources.
• Maintains contact with the press and community organizations.
• Represents the Department of Water Resources with the community, advisory committees, commissions, regional and local boards, and other government agencies; performs special assignments for the Board of Supervisors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSKnowledge of:

• Pertinent state, federal and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations related to the functions and operations of the Department of Water Resources.
• Scientific sampling and laboratory analytical techniques.
• Aquatic ecosystem functions.
• Principles of watershed science and familiarity with related disciplines (geology, hydrology, limnology, ecology, toxicology).
• The relationship between land and water use and watershed conditions.
• Geographic information systems and use of remote sensing data.
• Principles and practices of hydrology and hydrographic studies and evaluations.
• Water resource management, flood control, and watershed requirements and methods.
• Principles of adaptive management.
• Grant development and administration.
• Research and statistical methods.
• Budget development and control.
• Federal, State, and local policies and politics which affect the Department of Water Resources.
• Motivational techniques and practices.
• Principles and practices of effective leadership
• Principles of project planning, development, coordination, and direction.
• Principles of supervision, training, and work evaluation.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, manage, and coordinate the functions of the Department of Water Resources.
• Provide supervision, training, and timely work evaluations for assigned staff.
• Develop and administer a department budget.
• Direct and manage the development and administration of grants.
• Oversee the gathering and maintenance of information regarding the Department of Water Resources operations and functions.
• Read, interpret, analyze, summarize, and apply scientific materials and statistical data.
• Read, interpret, and explain complex scientific information to a non-technical audience.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of individuals and groups.
• Exercise diplomacy and tact when performing day-to-day activities.
• Effectively handle difficult, confused, or angry individuals.
• Effectively manage challenging situations.
• Identify and take advantage of opportunities.
• Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and respond accordingly.
• Effectively maneuver through sensitive and/or complex political situations.
• Analyze difficult situations, identify solutions and recommend an appropriate course of action.
• Provide effective leadership.
• Motivate a wide variety of individuals including those with varying levels of education and experience.
• Develop, manage, and implement flood control systems.
• Perform special assignments for a variety of County boards and commissions.
• Direct the preparation of and prepare clear, concise reports.
• Operate a computer and use appropriate software, including both word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using correct English grammar.
• Make effective oral and written presentations.
• Effectively represent the Department of Water Resources with the public, community organizations, boards, commissions, and other government agencies.
• Regularly work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
• Constantly demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and customers/clients.

Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.
Education and Experience:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in business administration, public administration, civil engineering, environmental engineering, limnology, hydrology, hydraulics, Water Resources management, aquatic biology, or a closely related field.
AND
Five (5) years of full-time increasingly responsible experience in limnology, hydrology, Water Resources management, or a closely related field INCLUDING two (2) years of experience in a management or supervisory position.
Equivalent to a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in limnology, hydrology, hydraulics, Water Resources management, aquatic biology, or a directly related field is highly desirable.
Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.
WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Incumbents generally work partially in an office environment with moderate noise levels and co...