Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

Median Annual Wage: $120,050

Education: Bachelor's degree (55%); Master's degree (41%); Post-baccalaureate certificate (3%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Research Hydraulic Engineer; Hydrogeologist; National Stormwater Leader; Senior Group Manager; Senior Hydrogeologist; Senior Water Resources Engineer; VP-Senior Principal Water Resources Engineer; Water Resources Business Segment Leader; Owner, Consulting Engineer; Owner, Professional Engineer

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Water Resource Specialists.

More Management Careers

  • Perform hydrologic, hydraulic, or water quality modeling.
  • Develop plans to protect watershed health or rehabilitate watersheds.
  • Develop strategies for watershed operations to meet water supply and conservation goals or to ensure regulatory compliance with clean water laws or regulations.
  • Identify and characterize specific causes or sources of water pollution.
  • Write proposals, project reports, informational brochures, or other documents on wastewater purification, water supply and demand, or other water resource subjects.
  • Present water resource proposals to government, public interest groups, or community groups.
  • Review or evaluate designs for water detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities, or other hydraulic structures.
  • Conduct technical studies for water resources on topics such as pollutants and water treatment options.
  • Recommend new or revised policies, procedures, or regulations to support water resource or conservation goals.
  • Conduct, or oversee the conduct of, chemical, physical, and biological water quality monitoring or sampling to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
  • Monitor water use, demand, or quality in a particular geographic area.
  • Analyze storm water systems to identify opportunities for water resource improvements.
  • Provide technical expertise to assist communities in the development or implementation of storm water monitoring or other water programs.
  • Compile water resource data, using geographic information systems (GIS) or global position systems (GPS) software.
  • Conduct cost-benefit studies for watershed improvement projects or water management alternatives.
  • Develop or implement standardized water monitoring and assessment methods.
  • Negotiate for water rights with communities or water facilities to meet water supply demands.
  • Compile and maintain documentation on the health of a body of water.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Water Resource Specialists.

  • Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Water Resource Specialists.

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