The Position

Join a team that keeps our community’s most essential resource flowing! We’re looking for a driven professional to take on a key role in water resources planning and special projects. In this position, you’ll help shape the City’s water future by conducting important studies, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, and preparing complex technical and regulatory reports. If you’re passionate about protecting and planning for our water systems, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

Upcoming Salary Increases And Incentives

3% COLA effective 7/1/2026

2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree

5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree

Application Process

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is the most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application with the words "SEE RESUME."

Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City.

Tentative Testing Schedule

In-person Written Exam

Week of July 20, 2026

The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate’s experience.

Essential and Marginal Function Statements

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions

Keep current on legal, regulatory, and technical requirements related to the City’s utilities operations; communicate information to management and operations personnel; ensure the City meets regulatory requirements for domestic water systems.

Support assigned division’s compliance of regulatory permits; oversee the development and submission of required reports for state and federal regulatory agencies associated with permits and programs. Serve as liaison to regulatory agencies.

Perform technical research and prepare reports regarding water quality, utilities operations, and related technical issues including those required by regulatory agencies.

Research, document, and report any deviations or violations of regulations and the corrective actions.

Conduct a variety of studies and assessments related to water supply and water quality; analyze data and make sound recommendations for management review.

Analyze and assess utility operations and assigned functions to identify opportunities for improvement; recommended and support the implementation of enhancements and alternative solutions; assist in the preparation of reports detailing operational performance and activities.

Coordinate between City departments, divisions, outside agencies, and consultants on special water quality studies by developing, gathering, reviewing, or obtaining data for assessment of current and future infrastructure needs and/or compliance with environmental requirements and regulations.

Serve as database administrator for operations information management systems; troubleshoot issues with IT, department staff, and/or program developer and ensure the integrity of data.

Develop and provide training to staff on water sampling, water treatment and distribution operations and emergency operations programs.

Provide guidance to utilities operations on water quality activities, including the protection of water sources, optimization of treatment processes and distribution system practices.

Review legislation with potential impact on operations; prepare comments in response to proposed legislation and regulations.

Serve as an expert witness on issues pertaining to water quality and operations, as necessary.

Respond to inquiries and provide accurate information to utilities customers as well as representatives from federal, state, local and public agencies; investigate and resolve complaints by identifying issues and recommending appropriate corrective actions.

Participate in negotiations, discussions and/or audits with regional, state, and/or federal regulatory agencies that issue environmental permits for City utility operations.

May participate in the selection of staff, review and recommend staff training, conduct performance evaluations, work with employees to correct deficiencies, and implement discipline procedures, as assigned.

Assist with special projects as assigned.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Pertinent federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws including water related regulations.

Principles of water quality, water treatment, and distribution operations.

Safety management practices.

Techniques for training staff.

Physical, chemical, microbiological, and bacteriological analysis of water.

Technical report writing and technical research techniques.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability To

Analyze and apply technical information related to water quality and water treatment and distribution operations and develop procedures that meet legal requirements.

Analyze legislation and identify impact on City operations.

Maintain filing systems.

Research, analyze and make recommendations on operational and procedural practices.

Prepare and review comprehensive analyses and reports; make effective presentations including conclusions and recommendations, both orally and in writing.

Read, understand, apply, and communicate complex materials.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.

Experience And Training Guidelines

Any combination of training, experience, and education which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge and abilities stated above, and the ability to perform the duties of this position. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience

Two years of increasingly responsible experience in a utility performing research and analysis that involved making recommendations on related utilities operations.

Training

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field.

License Or Certificate

When assigned to Water:

Possession of Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade I and Water Distribution Grade I certificates from the California State Water Resources Control Board are desirable.

When Assigned To Wastewater

Environmental Compliance Inspector I from the California Water Environment Association is desirable.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Some positions may be assigned to remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work and travel is rare.

Modesto Confidential and Management Association (MCMA)

Employee benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect please see the Memoranda of Understanding.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 2% @ 60 or the 2% @ 62 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).

HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours holiday credit.

MANAGEMENT LEAVE: 80 hours per year for positions exempt from overtime.

VACATION: Accrued at the rate of two weeks during the first year, increasing to five weeks during the 21st year of service.

SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees may accumulate up to 2,200 hours.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The City's monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows:

$ 2,110.00 Employee + Family

$ 1,494.00 Employee + 1 Dependent

$ 748.00 Employee Only

$ 450.00 Opt Out

The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: With a matching contribution by the employee, the City will contribute 1.5% of salary, increasing to 2.5% at 9+ years of service, to a voluntary 457 Plan.

RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,880 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period. After initial contribution, the City shall contribute $130 per month.

LIFE INSURANCE: Coverage in the amount of $120,000 is provided by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.

DISABILITY INSURANCE: Coverage is provided by the City, at City cost. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of the first $12,000 per month in salary.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Master's Degree Pay in the amount of 5% of salary. Bachelor's Degree Pay in the amount of 2.5% of salary.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE LEAVE: Employees who pass a review panel and are needed in this capacity by the department, will receive 3 hours of Bilingual Leave Time per pay period into their Compensatory Time Off (CTO) balance.

LONGEVITY PAY: 2.5% of salary at 10 years of service.

SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premium and dependent care costs.

01

I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following Supplemental Questions. I understand these responses must match the information I provide in the Work Experience and Education sections of my application. I certify that all information provided on this application and the Supplemental Questions is true to the best of my knowledge.

02

How many years of experience do you in a utility performing research and analysis that involved making recommendations on related utilities operations?

None - less than 1 year
1 - less than 2 years
2 - less than 3 years
3 or more years

03

Do you possess an equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field?

04

Do you possess an Environmental Compliance Inspector certification from the California Water Environment Association?

05

If you answered yes to the previous question, please select your major.

Chemisty
Biology
Natural Science
Environemental Science
Other Science related
Other non-science related
None
Required Question

City of Modesto

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