Alternative Water Supply; AWS and Conservation Specialist

Overview

The District is recruiting for a Lead Alternative Water Supply (AWS) and Conservation Specialist who can be underfilled, depending on qualifications and years of experience. The AWS and Conservation Specialist serves as the District’s program lead and technical authority for planning, coordination, and implementation of water conservation and AWS initiatives, including use of brackish water and reverse osmosis, reclaimed water, and utility aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) systems.

This position is in a team-oriented environment and leads the development and evaluation of AWS and conservation programs that enhance water availability, improve regional water use efficiency, and support long-term water resource sustainability, including the District’s water supply planning efforts. Work includes monitoring, coordinating, and participating in multi-agency projects; assessing the technical and economic feasibility of AWS and conservation projects; and supporting cooperative funding and regional water supply planning efforts.

The incumbent provides scientific and technical expertise in desalination, reclaimed water systems, conservation technology evaluation, and program performance monitoring.

The position requires extensive interaction with internal and external stakeholders, including local governments, utilities, regional water supply authorities, and state agencies. The incumbent represents the District in technical and policy forums, public meetings, and interagency work groups.

The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership, analytical, and communication skills; possess the ability to integrate technical findings into planning decisions; and provide guidance to District management and partners regarding AWS and conservation strategies designed to achieve sustainable water supply outcomes across South Florida.

• Integrates AWS and conservation objectives within regional water supply plans, cooperative funding programs, and other District projects.
• Develops and maintains strategies that ensure consistency with the District’s mission, policies, and legislative directives.
• Provides technical and programmatic leadership to staff, consultants, and stakeholders engaged in water conservation and AWS initiatives.
• Coordinates with internal bureaus and divisions to align AWS and conservation program activities with regulatory, planning, and permitting functions.
• Conducts and oversees scientific analyses of AWS feasibility, reclaimed water utilization, and conservation potential.
• Analyzes regional and utility-scale water use data to identify trends, evaluate program outcomes, and forecast future demand.
• Serves as the District’s subject matter expert for AWS and conservation matters in coordination with utilities, local governments, and other agencies.
• Represents the District on interagency work groups, technical committees, and public forums.
• Fosters collaborative partnerships with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, other water management districts, utilities, regional water supply authorities, and private sector partners.
• Coordinates with the Office of Communications and Public Affairs to promote awareness of conservation and AWS efforts.
• Oversees performance tracking, data management, and reporting for AWS and conservation projects.
• Evaluates progress toward achieving regional water supply sustainability and conservation savings targets.
• Conducts occasional travel within the District’s 16-county region to attend interagency meetings, verify project implementation, or perform on-site evaluations of AWS and conservation activities.

• Lead Scientist: Typically has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Water Resources, Engineering, or a related Natural or Physical Science discipline, and at least eight (8+) years of qualifying experience that demonstrates measurable career progression within the scientific discipline and the ability to apply such experience to support the District’s strategic goals and objectives. Experience should include demonstrated leadership in the development, coordination, and implementation of…