Water Efficiency Specialist

Meet Santa Margarita Water District 

Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region’s largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship. 

Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters. 

Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD’s goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies. 

Santa Margarita Water District’s values include: 

• Exemplary service excellence 
• Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive 
• Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency 
• Environmental and resource stewardship 
• Employee development and leadership training 
• Building relationships that strengthen communities 

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed by individual positions.

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Water Efficiency Manager, assists in the development and implementation of water use efficiency programs, community outreach activities and resources to achieve the District’s water reliability goals and objectives; serves as liaison to and/or represents the District at community events and industry-related meetings.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

A Water Efficiency Specialist performs journey-level professional duties in implementing water use efficiency programs and explaining conservation program provisions and requirements to customers. Work requires extensive interaction with customers, public agencies, vendors, installers and others to explain water efficiency program provisions and requirements, as well as the District’s water budget rate structure, clearly, accurately and effectively. This position is distinguished from the Senior Water Efficiency Specialist in that latter position is given assignments broader in scope, requiring additional independent decision making and analysis that impact the District’s water reliability goals and objectives.

This position typically reports to the Water Efficiency Manager but may receive general direction form the Sr. Water Efficiency Specialist

Essential Functions:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Receives and responds to a wide variety of questions from customers, vendors, landscapers, installers and the public, regarding the District’s water use efficiency programs and water budget rate structure; explains water use efficiency program benefits, requirements and procedures and provides materials to customers; asks questions to obtain information needed to identify issues and problems and takes appropriate follow-up actions or solutions; researches and resolves technical issues with customers, representatives from other utilities, vendors and installers; prepares program-related records and reports.
3. Conducts on-site surveys stemming from high water use bills, rebate applications, or customer requests; inspects and adjusts irrigation systems; identifies leaks; explains results and repair options to customers; answers customer questions regarding on-site survey findings; measures landscape areas for water budgets and/or rebate programs; coordinates with internal staff and staff from other utilities, as needed.
5. Creates and maintains databases and tools to track programs and customers; prepares queries to obtain data for analysis of trends and targeting of communications and program efforts; generates a variety of reports.
7. Represents the department with homeowner associations and at community workshops and events; assists with the development and distribution of water efficiency program materials; explains efficiency programs and resources available to meet specific customer needs.
9. Performs site surveys to assist customers in complying with water budgets, promoting and facilitating sustainable landscape design and irrigation scheduling.
11. Operate a vehicle and a variety of hand tools and test equipment related to the work.
13. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Requisite Abilities/Qualifications & Guidelines:

Ability to:

1. Learn, understand, interpret, explain and apply detailed provisions, requirements, rules and procedures applicable to water conservation and efficiency programs.
2. Quickly, efficiently and calmly handle customer interactions by telephone and in person.
3. Research customer, vendor and installer questions and issues tactfully and effectively; obtain required information and reach sound conclusions and decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures. 
4. Effectively participate in the calculation and preparation of indoor and outdoor water budgets; investigate, calculate, and process customer water budget variance requests.
5. Prepare clear and accurate reports, documents, memos, data entries and files.
6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
7. Understand and follow written and oral instructions. 
8. Represent the District effectively in dealings with customers, community organizations and the public.
9. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.
10. Use basic measuring devices such as tape measures and wheel distance measuring tools and calculate landscape areas from such measurements.
11. Safely operate a District vehicle on city streets and freeways.

Knowledge of:

1. Principles and practices of effective customer service and customer-oriented communication.
2. Principles, practices and methods used in developing and executing educational, public relations, and community outreach programs.
3. Provisions, benefits, eligibility requirements and regulations applicable to a wide variety of water efficiency and conservation programs.
4. Principles and practices of sound business communication and presentations; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
5. General horticulture, irrigation, and sustainable landscape design principles.
6. Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.
7. Records management, recordkeeping, reporting and basic purchasing practices and procedures. 
8. Uses and operations of computers; standard business software; and specialized database, geographic information systems and business analytics applications. 

Additional Information:

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education, Training and Experience: 

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent with college-level coursework in environmental science, landscape architecture, horticulture, business administration, geography, or a related field, and two years of progressively responsible experi­ence in customer service; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A bachelor’s degree and experience in a public agency are preferred. 

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: 

• Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of employment, Water Conservation Practitioner Level 1 certificate, issued by American Water Works Association.