THE OPPORTUNITY
The Junior Water Resources Engineer (JE) position presents an extraordinary career opportunity to join the Friant Water Authority (FWA), one of the most creative and innovative water agencies in the United States. Under the direction of the Senior Water Resources (WR) Engineer the JE will perform technical work related to monitoring and defending the reliability of Friant water supplies. The JE will also support facility planning, operation, and monitoring, and accounting of the Friant-Kern Canal water deliveries and related facility operations.
WHAT IS FRIANT?
The Friant Water Authority (FWA) is a joint powers authority formed by its member public agencies under California law to operate and maintain the Friant-Kern Canal and to represent its members in federal or state policy and legislation development and operational decisions of the Central Valley Project that could affect the Friant Division’s water supply. Our goal is to provide dependable, sustainable water from Millerton Lake to Friant Division contractors. The operations and maintenance headquarters for FWA is in Lindsay, California. In addition, FWA has offices in Delano, Orange Cove, and Fresno.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will have experience in data management and analysis, water operations, water quality, and water resources planning analyses, including the ability to exercise independent judgment with diverse and difficult water resources and engineering related tasks. A wide variety of special studies, projects, reports, and analyses will be required – strong written and verbal communication skills are crucial.
The ideal candidate will have a robust customer service ethic and the ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships across all levels of Friant membership and with relevant public agencies and entities outside of the organization, including ability to travel.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Administration: Provides as-needed administrative, contract and project management support for special projects.
Water Supply Operations, Accounting, and Forecasting: Catalog and track contractor water delivery schedules to support reservoir management and allocation decisions as well as reconcile and report actual deliveries and transfers by contract type. Conducts monitoring and developing operations forecasts related to Central Valley Project and Friant Division water supplies. Assists with evaluating the impact on Friant Division water supplies by State and Federal regulatory actions.
Water Quality: Conducts or directs other technical personnel (including consultants) in weekly water quality monitoring (including sampling, maintaining equipment, laboratory coordination), forecast modeling, mitigation accounting, reporting and database management.
Studies and Reviews: Conducts or directs other technical personnel (including consultants) in carrying out various studies and review of studies related to Bureau of Reclamation and Department of Water Resources project
operation simulations, temperature modeling, hydrodynamic modeling, salt transport modeling, and particle-tracking modeling to identify impacts and alternatives.
Planning: Assist in feasibility-level planning and review of environmental compliance documents related to existing and new facilities in the Friant service area and CVP.
Consulting and Advising: Consults with and advises FWA staff, member agencies, and other local state and federal; agencies in water resource matters; prepares items and reports for consideration by the Board of Directors and FWA staff.
Technical Support: Provides technical support on a variety of tasks.
Special Projects: Carries out special projects assigned by the COO, WR Manager, and Senior WR Engineer.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
A minimum Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in water resource management and engineering preferred.
Valid Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate or Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the California State Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is preferred
Possession of a valid California driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one) and a satisfactory driving record are required.
SKILLS AND ABILITLIES
Leadership and Interpersonal Communication: Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other personnel, consultants, member and regional agencies, and the public. Ability to effectively receive and disseminate information (including oral and written reports). Ability to organize and effectively direct technical staff, as necessary.
Data Analysis: Ability to manage and analyze data including conducting data quality control, data synthesization, and in-depth analysis. Knowledge and experience with SQL, statistical programming, data visualization tools, statistical analysis, and database management preferred.
Engineering: Ability to meet FWA’s technical and engineering service needs. Ability to anticipate engineering problems, including the development and implementation of effective solutions.
Technology: Computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) of a skill level sufficient to perform the job duties noted. Basic computer concepts include modeling techniques and modeling programs or software.
Judgement and Situational Reasoning: Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Ability to remain calm in crisis and emergency situations. Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information. Ability to use good judgement in decision making. Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Ability to incorporate safe practices into the performance of job duties. Ability to effectively demonstrate the application of all skills, knowledge and aptitudes required to carry out the duties cited.
Travel: Ability to travel for Friant membership and stakeholder meetings throughout California. Office location is flexible and not required in Lindsay, CA.
COMPENSATION
The compensation for this exempt position is dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate within $85,000 to $115,000 per year.
Benefits provided: vacation, sick leave, health, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, worker’s compensation, retirement (457 deferred and defined compensation plans).
Submit resume to hr@friantwater.org
FWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FWA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital stats, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.
