Director of Science – Westlands Water District

Monthly Salary Range: $7,917 – $14,584
Department: General Manager
Applications Accepted: August 1, 2022 – Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: A doctorate degree in Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field and a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience.

or

A master’s degree in Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field and a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience.

Standard Requirement: Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License along with a driving record that is acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.

Position Summary
The Director of Science manages the District’s science efforts and engages in key scientific issues affecting watershed health and fish and wildlife, with a primary focus on the Sacramento – San Joaquin Rivers Delta watershed, including those associated with adaptive management, habitat restoration, water project operations and other measures impacting fish and wildlife. The Director of Science advises the District’s Board of Directors through District Management staff and serves as a liaison between the District and multi-disciplinary forums with State and Federal agencies, other public water agencies, and other science efforts in the watershed. This position is based at the District’s Sacramento Office and is an “at-will management” position in which the incumbent serves at the discretion of the General Manager.

The essential responsibilities and duties of the Director of Science position include but are not limited to engaging with multi-disciplinary and multi-agency processes associated with the implementation of the programs intended to protect and/or provide for the viability of species, with a primary focus on the Sacramento – San Joaquin Rivers Delta watershed, such as adaptive managements processes, habitat restoration programs, and other collaborative science efforts and work groups; preparing technical comments on science reports, policies, programs, and procedures, as applicable; synthesizing and analyzing scientific data and studies and presents findings to management staff. This position engages with local, State, and Federal agencies, and provides support services to attorneys for the District in litigation and administrative proceedings. The Director of Science position is responsible for researching and preparing reports on relevant scientific topics, serving as the initial point of contact on general matters of science, and presenting before Federal, State, and local agencies, including in regulatory forums.

Application and Selection Process
To be considered for this position, please submit 1) a cover letter, 2) a Westlands Water District Employment Application, 3) your responses to the Supplemental Application, 4) a Comprehensive Professional Resume, and 5) three work-related references (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) no later than Monday, August 22, 2022, in person, by mail, email, or fax to:

Westlands Water District
Attention: Human Resources Department
P.O. Box 6056, 3130 N. Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93703

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Email and/or fax application materials directly to: resume@wwd.ca.gov or (559) 241-6286

For questions, please contact:
The Human Resources Department at (559) 241-6205 or
Visit the District’s Website at wwd.ca.gov

A typewritten Employment Application is preferred but not required. Resumes may be included with application materials; however, will not be accepted in lieu of completed application materials.

Following the filing date, applicants meeting the minimum qualifications and filing requirements may be scheduled for web based oral panel interviews.

Verification of Employment The District conducts verification of a candidate’s employment history, education and training and other information contained in the Employment Application and any other materials submitted by a candidate in an application packet.

Conditional Offer of Employment An offer of employment will be conditioned upon legal ability to work in the United States; passing a medical examination, which will includes a drug screening; and verification of a candidate’s employment history, education and training, other information contained in the Employment Application, and any license requirements. As part of the selection process you are required to complete and submit the Candidate Conviction History Questionnaire which will be provided to you during the recruitment process.

If you need special accommodations for the web-based interview due to a qualifying disability, then contact the Human Resources Department at (559) 241-6205 immediately.

Westlands Water District is an Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer

BENEFIT PACKAGE INCLUDES:

~ Please visit the District’s website for further details ~

CalPERS Retirement Plan
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life & Disability Insurance
Voluntary Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Flexible Spending Account
Paid Vacation Leave Hours
Paid Medical Leave Hours
11 Paid Holidays

The District does not participate in Social Security or State Disability Insurance.

Westlands Water District’s mission is to provide a timely, reliable, and affordable water supply to its landowners and water users. To this end, Westlands is committed to preserving its federal contract, which includes water and drainage services, and acquiring additional water necessary to meet the needs of its landowners.