Groundwater Technical Supervisor

Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District and the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA) are inviting qualified groundwater technical professionals to apply to join our dynamic and hard-working team. We are looking for a Groundwater Technical Supervisor to lead groundwater and surface water sustainability programs and projects. The District and YSGA are a combined team of approximately 30 people who collectively monitor and manage surface and ground water supplies, actively work to bolster groundwater recharge, while serving the agricultural community in western Yolo County by delivering irrigation water through an extensive network of canals.

District and YSGA management are committed to maintaining a collaborative, purpose-driven organization where staff are dedicated to efficient water management and public service. 

Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District (District) invites qualified applicants to apply for the position of Groundwater Technical Supervisor for the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA).

 The (District), established in 1951, has a service area of approximately 200,000 acres in Yolo County and provides conjunctive surface and groundwater resources for irrigation, municipal/industrial uses, groundwater recharge, habitat enhancement, and flood control. Key assets include the Cache Creek and Indian Valley Dams, the Capay Diversion Dam and an extensive canal system. The District’s mission is to plan, develop, and manage water resources for a safe, reliable supply at reasonable cost, that helps to sustain the socio-economic and environmental well-being of Yolo County communities such as Woodland, Davis, Winters, and throughout the Capay Valley.

 The Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA), formed in 2017 as a Joint Powers Authority with 26 members representing urban, agricultural, and environmental interests (including the District, cities of Davis, West Sacramento, Woodland, and Winters, local reclamation districts, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation), is the exclusive Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the Yolo Subbasin. YSGA’s mission is to provide a dynamic, cost-effective, flexible, and collegial organization ensuring compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The YSGA adopted its Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) in January 2022, focusing on sustainability goals such as maintaining groundwater levels, preventing subsidence, and protecting water quality through monitoring and implementation of projects and management actions. The YSGA contracts with the District to provide staffing, technical services, and facilities.

 We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Hydrogeologist/Engineer to assume a leadership role as the Groundwater Technical Supervisor for the YSGA, reporting directly to the Assistant General Manager of the District. This position will oversee SGMA implementation in the Yolo Subbasin, mentor and eventually supervise junior technical staff, and support the District’s broader groundwater initiatives, including recharge projects using excess winter flows from Cache Creek. The successful candidate will grow into the primary technical authority for YSGA, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to advance sustainable groundwater management while integrating with the District’s conjunctive use strategies.

 Examples of Essential Functions

The Groundwater Technical Supervisor will lead technical aspects of YSGA’s GSP implementation and support District project and program implementation, by fulfilling tasks including, but not limited to, the following:

1.    Oversee data collection, database management, analysis, and reporting to DWR for groundwater conditions in the Yolo Subbasin, utilizing state-of-the-art tools and methods.

2.    Develop, plan, manage, and evaluate YSGA projects and management actions.

3.    Conduct advanced hydrogeologic analyses, including well impact assessments, water quality evaluations, and analytical or numerical modeling to inform basin management.

4.    Obtain and manage grant funding for sustainability projects, including cost estimates, scopes of work, and schedules.

5.    Support District groundwater-related projects, such as conjunctive use planning, recharge basin operations, water quality assessments, and integration with flood control efforts.

6.    Mentor YSGA technical staff, fostering team growth and ensuring high-quality deliverables.

7.    Manage technical consultant teams and associated schedules and budgets that support implementation of projects and programs.

8.    Develop RFPs/RFQs for implementation of projects and programs.

9.    Ensure compliance with California water regulations, including SGMA, Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements, and public agency bidding processes.

10. Facilitate stakeholder engagement, including support preparation of YSGA board agenda reports, leading technical discussions at public meetings, workshops, and outreach activities with urban, agricultural, environmental, and tribal representatives.

11. Collaborate with internal teams, subconsultants, and external partners to develop innovative solutions.

 Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To be considered for the position, candidates for the Groundwater Technical Supervisor must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

 Knowledge of:

1.    Surface water and groundwater hydrology, water quality, geology, and environmental sciences.

2.    SGMA, CEQA, and water rights regulations.

3.    GSA administration, governance, and planning and implementation of GSPs.

4.    Regional water supply planning and design/implementation of hydrogeologic investigations.

5.    Well siting, design, rehabilitation, and oversight of construction of monitoring, production (municipal and agricultural), injection, and aquifer storage and recovery wells.

6.    Conducting, overseeing, and analyzing aquifer (pumping) tests.

7.    Development of detailed geologic/hydrogeologic cross sections.

8.    Development of surface water and groundwater monitoring networks.

9.    Database Management Systems and data analysis.

10. Modern statistical, machine learning, and artificial intelligence analytical methods applied to groundwater applications.

11. Analytical and numerical modeling methods for evaluating groundwater flow and transport, groundwater extraction impacts to neighboring wells, surface water-groundwater interaction, groundwater recharge feasibility, land subsidence, and water quality.

12. Environmental permitting for construction projects (e.g. wells, recharge basins, etc.)

13. Developing technical RFPs, scopes of work, budget, and schedule estimation for groundwater related projects.

14. Leadership principles and team management for effective supervision of internal technical staff and consultants.

15. Effective communication techniques, including project documentation, stakeholder coordination, and public communication.

16. Conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies.

 Required Skills

Candidates must be proficient using or applying the following skills:

1.    Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, & Access) to prepare reports, presentations, perform calculations, and manage data.

2.    GIS products (ArcGIS and QGIS) to prepare maps and perform analysis

3.    Organize, direct, and implement complex groundwater projects and programs, overseeing all phases from planning to execution.

4.    Evaluate and manage complex hydrogeologic conceptual and numerical models.

5.    Demonstrate leadership in managing and motivating team members, YSGA Board, Member Agencies, and Committees, and landowners to achieve project and program objectives.

6.    Effectively communicate project and program goals, updates, and challenges to team members, YSGA Board, Member Agencies and Committees, water customers and landowners to achieve project and program objectives.

7.    Resolve conflicts and manage team dynamics to maintain project momentum and foster a positive work environment.

 Desirable Skills

It is preferred that candidates possess proficiency in the skills and/or applications listed below:

1.    Python, R, or other scripting languages and experience developing tools to perform analytical or numerical analyses.

2.    Using artificial intelligence large language models (e.g., Claude) to conduct research, analysis, and develop custom tools to conduct analyses.

3.    Building, calibrating, and running integrated surface water-groundwater flow models.

4.    Applied geochemical modeling.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: At least ten (10) years of professional experience in conducting groundwater-related projects and investigative work.

 Education: Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university with major study in civil engineering, geologic sciences, or hydrogeologic sciences.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

1.    Licensed in California Professional Geologist (PG), Certified Hydrogeologist (CHG), or Professional Engineer (PE, with extensive groundwater related experience). Prospective candidates who do not possess one or more of these professional licenses will NOT be considered for the position.

2.    California Class C driver license

 Work Environment

The Groundwater Technical Supervisor works in an office environment and is required to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time at a computer workstation. The Groundwater Technical Supervisor must regularly lift and/or move objects up to 35 lbs, use typical office equipment, and possess hearing and vision with normal ranges, with or without correction. This position also requires the ability to drive in a pickup along paved and unpaved roads, entering and exiting the pickup.

This is a full-time position based on a forty-hour workweek, with occasional extended hours necessary.

A physical exam and substance screening are required prior to job placement.

 Compensation and Benefits

The District offers a competitive salary commensurate with the selected applicant’s experience and qualifications, and a generous benefit package. The expected salary range is: $125,000- $145,000. Placement within the range will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, and organizational considerations.

 The District’s benefit package includes medical, life, vision, and short- and long-term disability insurance, dental expenditure reimbursement, 403(a) retirement plan contributions, 457(b) deferred compensation match, flexible spending account, employee assistance plan, paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation. To determine approximate total compensation, add an additional 35% to the salary. This more accurately represents the total benefits received as an employee.

This is an at-will, exempt position.

 To Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a cover letter and resume via email to Jennifer Reed at jreed@ycfcwcd.org.

 

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. July 3, 2026.

 

Job Posting Statement

Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.