Do you have a passion for protecting and preserving open space?  Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is seeking a skilled and motivated Water Resources Specialist to join our team of resource management professionals working to protect and restore the natural environment within Midpen’s land in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the San Francisco Peninsula.  While there is regular field work, the ideal candidate will also bring strong communication, project management, and collaboration skills to the position.

About Midpen:  Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with more than 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.  Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact.  If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position!  Check out the Working for Midpen video on our Employment Opportunities page. At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.

About the Position: The Water Resources Specialist III is responsible for the cataloging, improvement, monitoring, and long-term planning of water resources in Midpen’s open space preserves, including aquatic habitats and rural water-delivery systems. The primary roles of this position include leading the restoration and management of aquatic resources; managing, reporting, and obtaining water rights and complying with stream adjudications; obtaining water quality (Clean Water Act) permits and overseeing permit compliance for capital projects and routine maintenance; generating reports for submittal to regulatory agencies; and coordinating with regulatory agency staff on permitting and compliance with water quality improvement plans. General responsibilities of this position will also include managing consultants and contractors; writing detailed technical summaries and reports for District staff and the public;  and conducting surveys in the field.

The Water Resources Specialist III has broad, technical experience with water resources, is self-directed, and works independently managing complex large-scale projects. Basic requirements include the understanding of California water-resource regulations, beneficial uses, and water rights;  hydrological principles and practices of aquatic habitat management and monitoring; land stewardship and environmental planning; sustainable water-use practices in working landscapes and in water diversion and distribution systems; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; GIS software; preparation of clear and concise reports; developing and maintaining records for regulatory agency permits;  and managing consultants and contractors. Knowledge of CEQA is desired but not required.

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job

• Collaborative work that directly supports Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment
• You’ll be part of a talented and dynamic team whose work contributes to providing nature’s benefits to everyone
• Excellent employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement pension through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)

Work Environment: The Water Resources Specialist III functions within a team environment with other Resource Management staff. The position is located in Midpen’s District’s Los Altos office, reporting to the Senior Resource Management Specialist. Work will occur in both field and office environments, with travel from site to site, and field data collection. When conducting field assignments, work may include traversing rough, difficult terrain in inclement or hot weather with exposure to poison oak. Midpen offers a hybrid office/telecommute and 9/80 schedule for this position.

Education & Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in watershed science/management, hydrology, water law policy, engineering, ecology, biology, earth sciences or other closely related subject, and
• three years increasingly responsible experience in the field of resource planning and management. Requires excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• A Master’s Degree is desirable.

Licenses & Certifications Required:   Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Benefits: Midpen provides a competitive benefits package including health, life and disability insurance, CalPERS pension and paid leaves. Detailed information is available on the Benefits page of our website.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department at 650-691-1200   

Put your passion for Open Space to work!