Water Conservation Specialist

The City of Hillsboro, Oregon, seeks a Water Conservation Specialist to enhance water conservation and community outreach. Responsibilities include processing rebate applications, conducting water audits, delivering presentations, and engaging with the community on sustainability efforts. The ideal candidate should be a strong communicator, analytical thinker, and collaborative team player, committed to promoting responsible water use and improving community impact.
About This Opportunity


The Water Resources Specialist plays a vital role in advancing the organization’s water conservation and community outreach efforts. This engaging, community-focused position combines program implementation fieldwork, and public education to make a direct impact on local sustainability and affordability goals. Key responsibilities include processing water rebate applications, conducting in-home water audits to help customers improve efficiency, assisting with classroom presentations, coordinating department events, and participating in local outreach activities. Through hands-on support and education, this role helps drive conservation success, strengthen community partnerships, and promote responsible water use.




Primary Duties and Responsibilities



Process and review water rebate applications for completeness, accuracy, and program compliance.
Monitor and actively participate in the Water Conservation Team’s communication channel to assist with customer phone calls regarding Leak Notification Postcards, water usage concerns, and other conservation-related inquiries.
Communicate with customers regarding rebate eligibility, documentation requirements, and application status.


Conduct residential water audits to assess water usage and identify efficiency improvement opportunities.
Provide customers with clear, practical recommendations for water conservation and available incentive programs.
Maintain accurate records of rebate processing, audit findings, and customer interactions in department databases.
Assist in developing and delivering classroom presentations on water conservation and sustainability topics.
Support planning, coordination, and execution of department-hosted events and workshops.
Represent the department at local community events to promote conservation programs and engage the public.
Respond to public inquiries regarding water conservation programs, rebates, and department initiatives.
Collaborate with internal staff to support program reporting, tracking metrics, and continuous improvement efforts.






Ideal Candidate Profile:


The ideal candidate brings a balance of vision and action, with a strong commitment to sustainable water practices and community impact demonstrated through the following skills and attributes:



Strong Communicator: Able to translate technical information into clear, engaging messages for a variety of audiences. Skilled in public speaking, community outreach, and interdepartmental communication.
Analytical Thinker: Uses data to drive decisions, evaluate program success, and identify opportunities for improvement. Comfortable working with water usage metrics and performance reporting.
Collaborative Team Player: Works effectively with diverse teams across city departments, regional agencies, and the public. Values input from others and builds strong professional relationships.
Customer and Community-Oriented: Listens actively, responds respectfully, and tailors outreach and services to meet the needs of Hillsboro’s diverse community. Culturally responsive and equity-minded.
Creative Problem Solver: Approaches challenges with innovation and flexibility. Looks for practical solutions that balance environmental goals with operational and community needs.
Self-Starter with Strong Work Ethic: Takes initiative, manages time well, and follows through on commitments. Comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities.
Environmentally Committed: Demonstrates a genuine interest in sustainability, climate resilience, and responsible water management. Keeps up with best practices and emerging trends in the field.






Current / Upcoming Projects:



Represent Hillsboro Water Events.
Support community outreach and education efforts.
Support conservation education programs, home water audits, and water efficiency rebate program.
Support internal data requests and reporting needs.
Support water quality sampling as needed.






Required Skills and Qualifications


Education:



Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Water Resources, Sustainability, Public Administration, or a related field.
Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.






Experience:



Minimum of 2–4 years of professional experience in water conservation, resource management, environmental outreach, or related fields.
Experience with program implementation and evaluation.
Demonstrated experience in public education, community engagement, or stakeholder collaboration.






Technical Skills:



Knowledge of water conservation principles, techniques, and technologies in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting water use data and creating actionable reports.
Familiarity with applicable local, state, and federal water conservation laws and policies.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.






Communication & Interpersonal Skills:



Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information to diverse audiences.
Comfortable delivering presentations, leading workshops, and engaging with the public.
Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams and external partners.








Why Work for Hillsboro?


At the City of Hillsboro, we’re committed to supporting employees with a comprehensive package of benefits and resources designed to promote health, well-being, and growth.


When you join our team, you’ll enjoy:



Competitive pay with City contributions to PERS retirement
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
paid time off for vacation, sick leave, holidays, and more
Deferred compensation match and HRA VEBA contributions to boost your future savings
City-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
Extra perks like bilingual pay incentives and wellness reimbursements
Free TriMet annual Hop pass and SHARC recreation access for you and your family
Paid time off to volunteer in the community through Hillsboro Helps
Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
A supportive workplace that values work/life balance and employee wellness

To learn more about our robust benefits package please click here.






Recruitment Timeline







Job Posting Date







4/21/2026






Application Deadline







5/4/2026 (2 weeks)






Application Review







5/11/2026






Interview I







5/27/2026






Interview II







6/1/2026






Final Candidate Selection







6/2/2026








Note: Recruitment timeline subject to change based on City needs.


Application Instructions


To ensure your application receives full consideration, please complete all sections of the online application thoroughly. Please note that Resumes and Cover Letters will not be accepted and should not be submitted in place of the completed application. Please see the guidelines below to successfully submit your application:



Include detailed information about your work experience, education, and relevant qualifications directly in the application. Taking the time to provide complete and accurate information helps the review panel fully understand your background and experience.
Please answer all supplemental questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. Your responses provide valuable insight into your qualifications and experience. They will help the hiring manager better understand how your background aligns with the needs of the position.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Only Veterans’ Preference documents will be reviewed as attachments.






Commitment To Diversity


Hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value, respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and diverse ideas.















City of Hillsboro is proud to offer robust benefit packages to employees. Please check out our Salary and Benefits page for benefit guides for our non-represented full-time employees and part-time employees. Benefits may vary for positions identified in Police, Fire, and Library collective bargaining agreements, which can also be found on the Salary and Benefits page.