How to hire a water resource specialist

How to hire a water resource specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step water resource specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a water resource specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new water resource specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a water resource specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your water resource specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a water resource specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect water resource specialist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of water resource specialists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Water Resource Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Water Resource Specialist	Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.	$19-49
   Water Technician	Typically working at water treatment facilities, a water technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment to ensure the good quality of water and consumers' safety. It is their duty to operate tools and equipment, gather and analyze samples to detect any contaminants, participate in adjusting chemical levels, and perform regular maintenance checks on machines to ensure efficiency... Show more	$13-25
   Water Resource Project Manager	A water resource project manager administers a water quality monitoring network, nutrient or irrigation efficiency management initiative, and static water level program. Water resource project managers establish regulations and rules for the management and protection of drinking water quality... Show more	$32-55

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Water Resources
   • GIS
   • Data Entry
   • Water Rights
   • GPS
   • Ventilation
   • Water Damage
   • PPE
   • Technical Reports
   • Plumbing
   • ArcGIS
   • Management Practices
   • Data Collection
   • Technical Assistance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Repair and manage pumps, meters, hose, filters, plumbing part, chemical distribution systems and relate equipment.
   • Draft construction plans using AutoCAD.
   • Extract water from flood structures using commercial extraction equipment.
   • Maintain QA/QC program, MSDS manual and all laboratory log books.
   • Perform monthly audits of the QA function to ensure compliance with corporate standards.
   • Review and prepare corporate tax returns for multiple entities using PeopleSoft and Corptax systems.

   More water resource specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the water resource specialist job description is a good way to get more applicants. A water resource specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a water resource specialist in Louisiana may be lower than in Rhode Island, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level water resource specialist. Additionally, a water resource specialist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average water resource specialist salary

   $65,270yearly

   $31.38 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level water resource specialist salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average water resource specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$84,831	$41
   2	California	$84,695	$41
   3	Nevada	$82,926	$40
   4	Ohio	$76,831	$37
   5	Washington	$74,673	$36
   6	Maryland	$68,653	$33
   7	Kansas	$67,508	$32
   8	Virginia	$62,935	$30
   9	Minnesota	$60,693	$29
   10	Oklahoma	$57,849	$28
   11	Arizona	$56,445	$27
   12	New Mexico	$53,820	$26
   13	Indiana	$53,726	$26
   14	Idaho	$53,585	$26
   15	Tennessee	$53,300	$26
   16	Colorado	$52,592	$25
   17	Texas	$51,398	$25
   18	Georgia	$49,394	$24
   19	Alabama	$48,946	$24
   20	Florida	$47,993	$23

   Average water resource specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Santa Clara Valley Water District	$110,731	$53.24	1
   2	San Diego County Water Authority	$96,978	$46.62
   3	Jacobs Engineering Group	$84,051	$40.41
   4	STV Group	$77,869	$37.44	1
   5	HDR	$77,688	$37.35	38
   6	Arcadis	$76,515	$36.79	60
   7	MWH Americas Inc	$76,463	$36.76
   8	Environmental Design Group	$76,302	$36.68
   9	AECOM	$72,433	$34.82	85
   10	BELFOR Property Restoration	$69,296	$33.32	30
   11	Boulder County	$64,220	$30.88
   12	BELFOR Franchise Group	$58,802	$28.27	21
   13	Encinitas Community Park	$49,601	$23.85
   14	Albuquerque Academy	$48,024	$23.09	9
   15	State of Arizona	$42,635	$20.50	7
   16	City of Aurora	$42,119	$20.25	1
   17	Carson City Nevada	$41,739	$20.07
   18	City of Mesa	$41,421	$19.91	3
   19	Ymca Of Greater St. Louis	$24,713	$11.88

4. Writing a water resource specialist job description

   A water resource specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a water resource specialist job description:

   Water resource specialist job description example

   RESTORING MORE THAN PROPERTY
   
   Flooding. Fires. Windstorms. Hundreds of thousands of clients rely on BELFOR Property Restoration each year to rebuild their lives, homes, and businesses. We're Restoring More Than Property.
   
   With BELFOR specialists in every major metropolitan area in the USA ready to respond 24/7/365, we provide the fastest, highest quality service that's unmatched in the industry.
   
   The right response team can mean the difference between recovery and total loss. In the midst of chaos, you need an experienced company with a proven track record and solid relationships with leading insurance providers.
   
   BELFOR is looking for qualified candidates for the following position. BELFOR team members are a unique breed, committed to restoring not only property, but restoring lives for those affected by disasters, large or small.
   
   BELFOR also offers a wide range of benefit options including, but not limited to, 401(k), Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off.
   
   This position is responsible for providing operational support in mitigation efforts for clients. Qualified candidates must have the ability to perform tasks related to pumping and extracting water, as well as mold removal, and must use various types of specialized equipment under supervision. This position represents level 2 in the progressive itinerary of Water Damage.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   * Must be able to receive the instructions provided by the team leader.
   * Know and understand the MSDS protocols for the chemical products used during mitigation processes.
   * Perform daily inspections of vehicle safety and maintenance and keep these clean and in perfect conditions of use.
   * Attention to details.
   * Must demonstrate mastery of the Book of Damage Caused by the Water of BELFOR.
   * Under supervision, you must demonstrate understanding and proper use of the scraper and rinse rod, the weighed trawl, the weighed extractor, the water extractor, the portable extraction unit and the appropriate legal discharge and drainage systems. Water.
   * Under supervision, you must build adequate containment systems, using appropriate calculations and equipment (Neg Air, HEPA vacuum).
   * Properly use cleaning / disinfecting solutions and debris removal techniques from confined areas.
   * Use under supervision appropriate lifting techniques, sliding pads, polystyrene foam blocks; take care and protect the personal belongings of the client.
   * Under Supervision, you must properly remove the vapor barriers, remove and label the recoverable cuttings, make holes for air to flow, install an Injectidry system, a Directed-In system and an Octi-Dry system, use non-penetrating and penetrating meters.
   * The professional will be obliged to comply with the standards of BELFOR to safeguard the property of other people.
   * Must have a deep knowledge of customer service, as well as the principles and practices of this.
   * Ability to work with time constraints to meet specific deadlines.
   * You will be periodically requested to travel and work at night and during weekends.
   * You must inform in a timely and accurate manner about the time worked and the equipment and consumables used.
   * Attend the operations sponsored by BELFOR and the security training courses that are necessary.
   * Water pumping and extraction
   * Mold remediation
   * Moving & re-setting contents
   * Setting drying equipment
   * Antimicrobial applications as appropriate
   * Vehicle safety and maintenance inspections
   * Maintaining vehicles in clean serviceable condition
   * Constructing polyethylene enclosures
   * Removing and disposing of debris
   * Maintaining equipment used in daily tasks
   * Additional other duties as required
   
   Qualifications
   
   * Must be able to identify Product (consumables), usage and disposal requirements with training
   * Must have knowledge of various pump systems
   * Eligible to operate a motor vehicle per BELFOR's vehicle policy
   * Possess sense of urgency, professional demeanor, positive attitude, and strong work ethic
   * English language literacy and fluency
   
   Physical Demands
   
   * Frequent lifting in excess of 50 lbs
   * Occasional lifting from 41 lbs +, assisted (up to 50% of the time)
   * Access and mobility in tight spaces
   * Sustained periods of standing, sitting, walking, bending, and kneeling
   * Ability to use mobile devices for collection of data and time.
   
   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   Disclaimer
   
   The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right water resource specialist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with water resource specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit water resource specialists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your water resource specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit water resource specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit water resource specialists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new water resource specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect water resource specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new water resource specialist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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