Water & Natural Resources Program Manager

 Overview of Water Resources in Solano County

Solano County is uniquely located on the major transportation corridor between the Bay Area and Sacramento and has experienced significant urban growth over the past few decades.  The County also has a strong and growing agricultural economy, is home to Travis Air Force Base, and contains the Suisun Marsh and portions of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. 

 Solano County benefits from having good water resources and several sources of water, including water from Lake Berryessa via the Solano Project, water from the Delta via the State Water Project, various other sources of surface water, and groundwater.  The Sacramento River flows along the eastern edge of the County and the primary and secondary portions of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta are located there.  The Suisun Marsh is also a primary geographic feature in the County, as is the Carquinez Strait. 

Given the diversity of water resources and uses in the County, water related issues are of high importance and the Board of Supervisors are committed to ensuring that adequate resources are available for all uses.         

Department Overview 

The Department of Resource Management is a comprehensive agency comprised of the Delta Water Activities, Public Works, Building and Safety, Planning Services, Environmental Health Services, Parks, and Administrative Services Divisions. The Department provides for the well-being of Solano County's present and future residents and the public at-large through facilitation of understanding and compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and policies pertaining to transportation, building construction, land use planning, environmental health, and recreation along with various programs and projects in these areas. The Department is also heavily engaged in issues related to surface and ground water supply, including issues that affect the Delta. 

The Delta Water Activities Division of the Department of Resource Management ensures proactive response to the multitude of water plans, programs and projects initiated at the federal, state and local levels that have potential to impact the County in the areas of water supply, water conveyance, flood control, water rights and ecosystem restoration.  It also provides support to Board members, the Board’s Legislative Committee and County departments in evaluating water-related legislation, regulations, other plans and projects and bond initiatives.

This position reports directly to the Director of Resource Management and serves as a member of the department’s management team.

Under general direction, this single class position in the Department of Resource Management is responsible for managing and coordinating surface and ground water policy development, programs, and issues, either individually or by managing a team.  The position may also be responsible for other natural resource management issues in the County as they arise. 

Significant contact with members of the Board of Supervisors and officials from other governmental agencies can be anticipated and considerable intergovernmental coordination will be required.  Examples are support of the County’s efforts with the Delta Counties Coalition (DCC) and work with partner agencies in the County on implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).  Regional flood planning efforts will also be a focus of the position.

The ideal candidate for this position will enjoy a dynamic work environment with ever changing priorities and tight timelines to complete work, either individually or through managing a team of professionals.   Additionally, this person will be someone who has: 

• An extensive background in water law, and the legislative and environmental review process.
• An understanding of surface and ground water issues on a regional and local level, including general hydrology, and issues that impact water quality and quantity.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to analyze complex and technical information contained in multiple documents and proposed legislation to accurately report potential impacts and provide recommendations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, being comfortable with public speaking before large governing boards and in public meetings, and be able to communicate technical information in non-technical terms. 
• Ability to be politically astute and collaborate with elected and appointed officials and staff from a variety of jurisdictions and agencies to accomplish the County’s objectives.
• Ability to manage and lead a team of professionals with competing demands to accomplish a task.

This position is an "at-will" senior management position and is exempt from the civil service; incumbents serve at the discretion of the Appointment Authority.
 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education: A Bachelor's degree is required from an accredited college or university in urban planning, or environmental sciences, or water resources, or natural resources, or civil engineering, or geology, or hydrogeology, or any other related field.  A Master's degree may be substituted for one year of experience.

Experience: Six (6) years of experience in providing oversight in water resource planning, water policy development, natural resource planning, long range planning and environmental review process, water quality or water remediation protection or planning, or water supply protection or planning, or any other related fields, or any combination thereof, AND two years of lead or supervisory experience in any field.

To review the full job description which includes examples of duties, please visit:

https://admin.solanocounty.com:4433/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=22063

Based on the information provided in the application documents the best qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening and an oral board exam. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.  

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.       

RETIREES - Solano County invites all to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.    

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required upon date of hire.

Background Checks: The County will conduct a background check and a reference check on candidates prior to appointment to a position within this class. 

Incumbents are required to travel independently, for example, to perform work at other work sites, to attend meetings with other County employees, and to attend meetings with state, Federal and/or business organization and work outside normal business hours.

Incumbents must as a condition of employment comply with Section 81000 et seq the California Government Code relating to conflict of interest reporting.

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://webstartadmin/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=6664. 

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.