Occupation · SOC 11-9121.02
Water Resource Specialists
Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
Median wage
$161,180
$79,830–—
Projected growth
+3.7%
Average growth
Annual openings
390
per year
Employed (US)
100,870
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
5,516 mapped
Core skills
WritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisMonitoringMathematicsCoordinationActive LearningPersuasionLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationScienceQuality Control AnalysisNegotiationInstructingOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingTechnology DesignProgrammingRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyMathematicsDesignPhysicsComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageGeographyBuilding and ConstructionLaw and GovernmentChemistryCustomer and Personal ServiceBiologyAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesMechanicalTelecommunicationsTransportationProduction and ProcessingAdministrativeHistory and ArcheologySociology and AnthropologyPsychologyForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryFine Arts
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADCustomer relationship management CRM softwareDHI MIKE URBANDatabase softwareESRI ArcGIS Spatial AnalystESRI ArcGIS softwareESRI ArcInfoESRI ArcPadESRI ArcViewESRI ArcView 3D AnalystFishXingGeographic information system GIS softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsGlobal positioning system GPS softwareGoogle Earth ProHEC-HMSHEC-RASLaboratory information management system LIMSMWH Soft H2ONET MSXMWH Soft InfoSWMMMapping softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordRIVERMorphStructured query language SQLTIBCO Spotfire S+Wallingford Software InfoSewerWallingford Software InfoWaterWallingford Software InfoWorks CSWallingford Software InfoWorks WSWater flow modeling softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Analyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeWorking with ComputersProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDocumenting/Recording InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationScheduling Work and ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersThinking CreativelyEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software — execute pre-configured model runs under supervisor direction to support water resource assessments on municipal projects.Storm water system data — collect and organize field measurements following established protocols for entry into project databases.Water quality compliance records — review and compile documentation under guidance to support regulatory investigations on wastewater discharge permits.Watershed operating parameters — identify relevant water supply and conservation goals by reviewing existing plans and regulations with senior staff oversight.Technical study literature — read and summarize published research on pollutants and water treatment options to support senior specialists on assigned projects.Hydraulic structure design drawings — review basic plans for storm drains and detention facilities using standard checklists under direct supervision.Presentation materials — assist in preparing slides and supporting data for water resource proposals presented to community or government audiences.GIS mapping tools — produce basic watershed boundary and land-use maps following established workflows to support watershed health assessments.Spreadsheet software — enter, organize, and perform simple calculations on hydrologic data sets as directed by project leads.Regulatory codes and clean water laws — identify applicable requirements by referencing agency databases and standard guidance documents under supervision.
developing
Hydrologic and hydraulic models — calibrate and run simulations independently using analytical software to evaluate water quantity and quality scenarios for mid-scale infrastructure projects.Storm water network analyses — identify system deficiencies and improvement opportunities by applying established assessment frameworks to municipal drainage systems with limited oversight.Compliance and regulatory investigations — lead routine investigations into pollutant sources, discharge permits, and wastewater issues, coordinating with agency staff and documenting findings.Watershed management strategies — develop draft conservation and regulatory-compliance plans by synthesizing hydrologic data, stakeholder input, and applicable clean water regulations.Water resource technical studies — conduct pollutant loading analyses and evaluate treatment alternatives, summarizing findings in written reports for project teams and clients.Hydraulic structure designs — evaluate detention facility and flood control structure plans for conformance with engineering standards, flagging issues for senior review in a design-build environment.Stakeholder presentations — deliver water resource project updates and technical findings to government agencies or public interest groups using clear, audience-appropriate communication.Watershed protection plans — draft rehabilitation measures and best-management-practice recommendations based on field investigations and GIS-based spatial analysis.Geographic information systems — build and maintain spatial databases and perform watershed-scale spatial analyses to inform project decisions on a routine basis.Time and task management — coordinate personal workload across multiple concurrent water resource projects, meeting deadlines and communicating schedule risks to project managers.
proficient
Hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality models — design, validate, and interpret complex multi-parameter simulations autonomously to support major infrastructure planning or regulatory proceedings.Storm water system optimization — lead comprehensive system assessments across entire municipal watersheds, identifying and prioritizing capital improvement opportunities using quantitative performance metrics.Regulatory compliance investigations — independently direct investigations into complex pollutant, storage, and discharge issues, interfacing directly with regulators and preparing defensible technical findings.Water supply and conservation strategies — formulate multi-objective watershed operating strategies that balance competing demands, regulatory mandates, and long-term climate variability for regional water authorities.Advanced technical studies — design research frameworks and oversee data collection, modeling, and analysis for non-routine water quality and treatment challenges in complex regulatory environments.Hydraulic structure design review — provide authoritative technical evaluation of detention, flood control, and conveyance facility designs, resolving ambiguous engineering issues without escalation.High-stakes public presentations — present complex water resource proposals to legislative bodies, environmental advocacy groups, or diverse community stakeholders, effectively managing technical and political sensitivities.Watershed rehabilitation programs — develop comprehensive, science-based watershed protection and restoration plans integrating hydrology, ecology, regulatory, and community considerations across multi-jurisdictional landscapes.CAD and analytical software integration — orchestrate seamless workflows across GIS, CAD, and hydrologic modeling platforms to produce decision-ready deliverables for large-scale water resource projects.Systems evaluation and adaptive management — monitor implemented water resource solutions against performance targets, apply inductive reasoning to diagnose underperformance, and recommend evidence-based modifications.
advanced
Organizational modeling strategy — establish enterprise-wide standards for hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality modeling practices, ensuring technical consistency and defensibility across all agency or firm projects.Regional storm water policy — lead development of jurisdiction-wide storm water management frameworks that set improvement priorities, allocate resources, and align with federal and state regulatory requirements.Investigative program leadership — direct multidisciplinary teams conducting large-scale compliance investigations, setting investigative scope, quality standards, and agency engagement strategies.Water resource policy and planning — advise executive leadership, legislative bodies, and interagency partnerships on long-range watershed operations policy to meet regional water supply and clean water mandates.Research and knowledge advancement — commission and oversee transformative technical studies on emerging pollutants or treatment technologies, positioning the organization at the forefront of water resource practice.Capital program oversight — provide final technical authority on design adequacy for major hydraulic infrastructure programs, integrating engineering, environmental, and fiscal considerations at portfolio scale.Executive-level advocacy — lead high-profile presentations and negotiations with state and federal regulators, elected officials, and national stakeholder coalitions to advance water resource policy and secure program funding.Watershed governance and partnership — build and lead multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional coalitions to develop and implement watershed protection and rehabilitation strategies at regional or basin scale.Workforce and competency development — design mentorship programs, technical training curricula, and career pathways that build the next generation of water resource professionals within the organization.Strategic technology adoption — evaluate and champion the integration of emerging geospatial, remote-sensing, and decision-support technologies into organizational workflows to improve water resource management outcomes.
Also known as
14 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Community Resource ConsultantEnvironmental Resource SpecialistHydrotechnical SpecialistHydrotechnicianPower Supply EngineerResource SpecialistWater Quality SpecialistWater Resource AgentWater Resource ConsultantWater Resource Engineering SpecialistWater Resource SpecialistWater Resources PlannerWater Restoration TechnicianWater Rights Specialist