At work I attend government council meetings to learn about water policy and distribution. I listen to large panels of CEOs, professionals, farmers, business owners and city representatives from the state discuss managing the business affairs of water sales. There are a diverse number of classes to attend that help me stay relevant on topics like water science and office tech. I then work on teams to apply data to improving business programs, technology, finances and operations.
CAREER
Water Resource Specialists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$137,900
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+5.9% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Water Resource Specialists Do
Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
Other Job Titles Water Resource Specialists May Have
Water Resources Planner
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Perform hydrologic, hydraulic, or water quality modeling.
- Analyze storm water systems to identify opportunities for water resource improvements.
- Conduct, or oversee the conduct of, investigations on matters such as water storage, wastewater discharge, pollutants, permits, or other compliance and regulatory issues.
- Develop strategies for watershed operations to meet water supply and conservation goals or to ensure regulatory compliance with clean water laws or regulations.
- Conduct technical studies for water resources on topics such as pollutants and water treatment options.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Water Resource Specialists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (50%)
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Business Administration and Management, General
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Patience is needed to work in government because it operates at a unique pace of time. While it can feel slow to make decisions, it's strength is stability and longevity. Because of this, pride in your work is helpful because the data you present is going to last for years or even lifetimes. Creating a professional persona helps strengthen business relationships and in turn, getting help on projects is easier. As simple as it sounds, good grooming and discipline to be on time are essential.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Everyone
Begin learning how business budgets are calculated, made, and talked about. Basic mathematics tied to understanding of technology is a great combination that helps you read and report a wide variety of business data. You can learn a lot by studying the analytic pages of your social media accounts, US Census reports, and annual reports of any public business. Then practice making charts and pictures that reflect the actual numbers. Accuracy is key to this field.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
