Hydrology Field Technician - County of Riverside
Riverside, CA 92501
About the Job
Click here to learn about the benefits of working for the County of Riverside.
The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has an opportunity for a Hydrology Field Technician (Engineering Aide or Engineering Technician I/II) in Riverside.
The Hydrology Field Technician will travel throughout Riverside County to perform maintenance of over 250 existing hydrology sites, which will include exposure to inclement weather conditions and different elevations. Maintenance job duties include troubleshooting hardware or control systems, setting up metering equipment, installing new electronics, using Radio Frequency diagnostic tools, and analyzing collected hydrologic data. Additionally, the Hydrology Field Technician will manage service calls, collect data, and assist with small construction projects while in the office.
The department is looking for candidates who are willing to learn new technical skills, such as the collection and analysis of hydrologic data. If you have mechanical aptitude, construction or electrical/electronics experience, are comfortable with technology, and enjoy working outdoors, we encourage you to apply.
Other competitive experience includes experience with instrumentation and control systems, experience with PLC (p rogrammable logic controller) programming and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system maintenance, and experience with RF (Radio Frequency) Environments, RTUs (Remote terminal units), data loggers, cellular/satellite telemetry, or other data collection platforms.
Competitive candidates will have experience with AC and DC power, traffic signals, motors, and motor controls, radio towers, antennas, and/or hydrologic databases (i.e., Hydstra, Novastar).
The Hydrology Field Technician will work in the field and in the office, and does not have the option for remote work. This position may require being on-call or overtime as needed. All Flood Control employees are expected to assist if there are emergency situations, such as storms.
The level at which this position will be filled is at the departments discretion and is based on candidate qualifications.
Meet the Team!
The mission of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is to protect people, property and watersheds from damage or destruction from flood and storm waters and to conserve, reclaim and save such waters for beneficial use.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Engineering Aide:
• Set up and maintain hydrologic metering and recording equipment; make simple tracings, diagrams and drawings.
• Provide routine information to the public.
Engineering Technician I/II:
• Maintains and operates over 250 pieces of equipment, including rain gauges, stream and basin depth gauges, and visual aids in the form of cameras and real time data reporting.
• Construct, maintain, monitor and repair EWS (Early Warning Systems), including ALERT and ALERT2, using Radio Frequency (RF) diagnostic tools.
• Operate current metering and other hydrologic data equipment to gather field data and make calculations relating to stream flow, precipitation rates, and water quality.
• Tabulate and analyze collected hydrologic data and prepare reports.
• Work with multiple software applications using a variety of computer systems or platforms such as WSPG, and hydrologic databases (e.g., Hydstra, Novastar).
• Operation and use of digital multi-meters, oscilloscope and other electrical diagnostic tools.
• Plot hydrographs; convert raw hydrologic data to charts and compute and plot stream flow rating curves; plot isohyetal and groundwater contour maps.
• Design and construct custom configurations appropriate for unique hydrologic/ geomorphic site limitations. Reviews SCADA and automation designs for integration into system operation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Engineering Aide:
$41,698.00 - $59,172.60 Annually
Experience: some experience demonstrating possession of the knowledge and abilities below, such as mechanical, electrical, or construction/installation experience.
Required knowledge of: Mathematics, including the elementary principles of algebra and geometry as applied in sub professional engineering work.
Required ability to: Learn the techniques and practices involved in assigned sub-professional engineering work; perform mathematical computations; keep clear and accurate notes; perform simple drafting; understand and follow oral and written directions; work cooperatively with others.
Engineering Technician I:
$49,086.96 - $77,102.27 Annually
OPTION I
Experience: Two years of sub-professional civil engineering experience. (Completion of college level courses from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or closely related subjects to the assignment such as land surveying, soils erosion, soils testing, blueprint reading, mathematics, computer graphics, or hydrology may substitute for the required experience on the basis of 12 semester or 18 quarter units equaling one year of the required full-time experience.)
OR OPTION II
Certificate: Valid Certificate of Registration as an Engineer-in-Training or Surveyor-in-Training issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers may substitute for two years of sub-professional engineering experience.
ALL OPTIONS
Knowledge of: Elementary algebra, geometry and trigonometry as they apply to engineering; manual and automated drafting techniques; survey principles and methods; the principles and methods of materials testing, hydrography and traffic control.
Ability to: Make accurate engineering computations; follow oral and written directions; prepare clear and accurate diagrams and drawings from field notes and rough sketches; make a variety of soils and materials tests; perform survey field work, tabulate and analyze data and prepare reports; learn techniques of manual and automated drafting; maintain effective working relations with others.
Engineering Technician II:
$61,078.99 - $85,713.06 Annually
OPTION I
Experience: Three years of sub-professional civil engineering experience. (Completion of college level courses from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or closely related subjects to the assignment such as land surveying, soils erosion, soils testing, blueprint reading, mathematics, computer graphics, or hydrology may substitute for up to two years of the required experience on the basis of 12 semester or 18 quarter units equaling one year of the required full-time experience.)
OR OPTION II
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in surveying engineering or civil engineering.
OR OPTION III
Experience: Three years of sub-professional civil engineering experience. (A valid Certificate of Registration as an Engineer-in-Training or Surveyor-in-Training issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers may substitute for two years of the required sub-professional engineering experience.)
ALL OPTIONS
Knowledge of: Mathematics including algebra, geometry and trigonometry; the basic practices of engineering design and construction, traffic control and land surveying; manual and automated drafting techniques; field and office procedures relating to hydrography; procedures related to construction inspection.
Ability to: Read and interpret legal descriptions, engineering drawings, survey notes, and tract descriptions; assist in the preparation of designs, plans, estimates, reports, and specifications; collect and analyze traffic, transportation, hydrologic, and other data and prepare reports, interpretations and recommendations; compile and enter data into computer system for computer aided mapping; maintain effective relations with others.
Engineering Aide/Engineering Technician I/Engineering Technician II
License: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License is required at time of hire. The Hydrology Field Technician will drive throughout Riverside County in the performance of their duties.
Physical Environment:
The Hydrology Field Technician will spend the majority of their time in the field and will work outdoors in different types of weather, which may include high temperatures and storms. Some jobsites may also require traversing uneven terrain at different elevations away from roads or two-tracks. The selected candidate may load and unload heavy equipment, with or without assistance. See Supplemental Information below for information regarding reasonable accommodations.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Application Deadline
Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. Based on the number of applications received, this posting may close without notice.
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/ .
Degree Verification:
Prior to the closing date, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
***Prior to the closing date, upload a copy of your official/unofficial transcripts or Foreign Education Equivalency report. ***
Veterans' Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here (Download PDF reader) .
What's Next?
This recruitment is open to all applicants.
Applicants who are currently County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the Flood Control Department may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of the applications received.
Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.
Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. No late applications will be permitted.
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE. For more information, please email Amanda Campos at acampos@rivco.org .
GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com . A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.