Water Efficiency Specialist
Job Description
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Position: Water Efficiency Specialist
Company: City of Spokane
Company: City of Spokane
Job Brief
Facilitates the implementation of water department resource efficiency programs for all water system customers.
Salary Detail
$52,325.28 – $81,807.84 a year
Experience
Job History is required
Qualifications
Master Gardeners as recognized by the American Horticulture Society may waive the education requirement.
Job Detail
- Educates commercial and residential customers about water efficient landscapes, appropriate irrigation schedules, and programs and technologies that result in water conservation. Answers technical questions in person, over the telephone, or in writing from internal staff and external customers.
- Reviews applications from residential and commercial water department customers to participate in water efficiency programs such as turf replacement and irrigation and landscaping upgrades. and interior retrofitting of plumbing fixtures.
- Conducts initial site evaluations. Reviews photos, sketches, and applications for compliance with codes, regulations, and ordinances. Approves efficiency program applications and enrolls customers.
- Audits residential and commercial irrigation systems for current water use and potential savings. Identifies and evaluates individualized opportunities to improve efficiency through landscape changes, irrigation management and available technologies.
- Conducts water efficiency program activities, lectures, and programs for a variety of audiences. Assists with educational outreach, including in the primary, secondary, and postsecondary schools and at community events. Writes and assists in developing program educational materials and forms such as application, inspection, and approval forms. outdoor watering guides. public presentations. and plant lists.
- Collects and reviews data related to water efficiency programs. Creates and maintains spreadsheets to monitor program participants. Refers customers to Utilities Billing for eligible rebates. Estimates municipal water use savings through implementation of efficiency programs. Evaluates the effectiveness of programs and recommends changes in programs or public outreach.
- Maintains associated records and databases, and prepares reports on programs.
- Performs related work as required.
- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Open-Entry Requirements: Education: Associate degree in horticulture, arboriculture, natural resource science, or related field. and
- Experience: Two years in landscaping, irrigation, resource conservation, or related field experience.
- Substitution: Spokane County Master Gardeners as recognized by the American Horticulture Society may waive the education requirement.
- Equivalency: We may accept different combinations of education and experience. We welcome job seekers with relevant backgrounds to apply.
- Licenses and Certifications: Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license, to be maintained throughout employment. Lift Requirement: Job offer is contingent on passing a lift test.
- Ability to move boxes of printed materials weighing up to 30 lbs.
- EXAMINATION DETAILS For information on what to expect with the hiring process, a test information guide, and frequently asked questions, please visit our website.
- Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and pass the examination for this position to be eligible for hire.
- Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit a City of Spokane employment application online by 4:00 p.m. on the filing cut-off date.
- Upon request, at time of application, the City will provide alternative accessible tests to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory, or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.
- The examination will consist of a Training and Experience Evaluation (TE), with scoring w8assigned as follows: TE 100%
- TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION DETAILS: Copies of your college or university transcripts (unofficial transcripts are accepted) may be a required part of this application and will be used to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications, as posted on the job announcement.
- Responses to your TE questions should be consistent with the information given in your application details. Answers are subject to verification.
- Failure to complete all the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score. therefore, it is advantageous for you to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question.
- Resumes or questionnaires uploaded as attachments will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question online.
- “See Resume” or “See above,” etc., and copy/paste from a previous answer are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
- This is an online examination and will require a computer. If you do not have access to a computer, please notify Civil Service so that 1may be provided. Reservations can also be made through your local, public library.
- Training and Experience examination links with instructions will be emailed prior to 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on the start date and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on the due date as listed below. Keep in mind that the test link will be emailed from City of Spokane (info@governmentjobs.com). Applicants who apply and meet the minimum qualifications between Monday, November 17, 2025, and Monday, December 1, 2025, will test Thursday, December 4, 2025, through Monday, December 8, 2025. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.
- BENEFIT COMPENSATION VALUE
- In addition to a salary, The City of Spokane provides a generous benefits package valued between $24,902 – $34,218. INSURANCE BENEFITS Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment. Eligible Dependents: Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner’s children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible. Medical Qualified employees may select from 2health carrier options. a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Kaiser Permanente or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium varies dependent upon plan and coverage level selected. Vision Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware. lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected. Dental Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The City pays the monthly premium in full for employee and eligible dependents. Life Insurance – Employee Only Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee’s annual base salary to a maximum of $150,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full. Life Insurance – Eligible Dependent(s) Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $5,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full. Flexible Spending Account The City offers 2optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code. AFLAC Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium. AudioNet Hearing Aid Benefit AudioNet Hearing Aid Benefit is optional. The City of Spokane has partnered with AudioNet America to offer a discounted Hearing Aid Program with fixed out-of-pocket costs. LegalShield/ID Shield Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited number of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract. Pet Insurance Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll. Voluntary Term Life Insurance Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium. Continued Medical/Dental Insurance Employees separating from City service have the option to continue medical and/or dental insurance benefits in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium in addition to a small monthly administrative fee. RETIREMENT BENEFITS Spokane Employees’ Retirement System The Spokane Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed, permanent employees. As a participant, you contribute 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Contributions and earnings are tax-deferred. The City also contributes 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2015 become vested (eligible for a monthly benefit at retirement age) at 7years of service. Deferred Compensation Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by MissionSquare Retirement allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis. Contributions and associated earnings contributed on a before tax basis are eligible to receive City matching contributions and are tax deferred (not taxed until taken out). You can also choose to participate in the 457 Roth (after tax) contribution option. You may enroll in the 457 plan or change your contribution at any time. Minimum contribution is $15 per paycheck up to and is subject to the IRS annual limitations. The City will match employee contributions up to $120/month. PAID TIME OFF Official Holidays The City observes 7official holidays as paid. An official holiday that falls on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. An official holiday that falls on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday immediately following. The City observes Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday but has not declared that day as an official holiday. For this reason, employees hired before the third Monday of January receive an additional 8hours of floating holiday time to be used in accordance with Local 270 Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions. Floating (Personal) Holidays Up to 48 hours administered throughout the year. Floating holiday hours may not be carried over into the next year and any unused hours will not be paid at termination. Vacation Leave Employees must be in paid status for 80% of that pay period to accrue vacation leave. The amount of vacation earned depends on the employee’s length of service – from 12 days per year for a new employee to 27 days per year after 20 years of employment. Unused vacation hours carry over each year. Sick Leave Sick leave accrues at a rate of 6(6) hours per biweekly pay period. Employees must be in paid status for 80% of that pay period to accrue sick leave. There is no maximum accumulation and unused sick leave hours carry over each year. Other Leaves The City also provides several other paid and unpaid leaves, such as: bereavement leave, Family and Medical Leave, maternity leave, jury duty, and military duty leave. WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS Employee Assistance Program The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by Deer Oaks. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to 8counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools. Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving al1to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge. Revised March 15, 2022
