Honey Lake Valley Resource Conservation District (HLVRCD) is accepting applications for
the position of a salaried, permanent, seasonal Deputy Watermaster. This position works
under direct supervision of the HLVRCDDistrictManager andHLVRCDBoard ofDirectors.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Field Work: (75%)
• Field Work is heaviest during Irrigation Season March 1- October 31 during which regular
measurements and adjustments of dams and diversions is necessary. The Watermaster
may be expected to work weekends as needed.
• Accurate and timely measurement of dam structures and diversion structures. Including
the measurement of weir flows, gauge readings, staff gauge readings, in stream time-
distance measure, and submerged orifice measures. Supplementary knowledge on these
and other methods will be provided.
• Adjustment of dams and diversions; modification of 2×6 or larger boards, turning of wheel
headgates
• Collect detailed records of daily activities, including areas visited, measured flows and
diversions, diversion adjustments, significant conversations and phone calls, and
problems. Maintain a copy of these records in the RCD office.
• Drive in rough terrain utilizing either UTV or a truck.
Legal Decree Administration:
• Ensures water right holders are receiving their water right allotment as described by
adjudicated decrees.
• Maintenance of up-to-date records of decree information and present-day owners.
• Read and comprehend the Decrees and recorded agreements that define water rights
within the Susan River Watermaster Service Area (WMSA)
• Dispute resolution between water users
• Maintain and update field schedule, control cards, and ArcGIS map database for each
stream in the Susan River WMSA.
• Determine one’s own work hours and overtime as needed to achieve effective and
timely administration of the decrees.
Office Work: (25%)
• Office Work is year-round but heaviest November and February and when stream flows
are low during the irrigation season.
• Year-round office work includes secretarial work such as scanning and filing receipts,
handling mail, file sorting, and maintenance of fieldwork data records in the RCD office.
• Handle the acquisition, creation, or maintenance of equipment, vehicles, and databases.
• The contacting of water right holders about suchitems as precipitation, likely runoff, and
consequences to diversions, problems with diversions and diversion structures, and
disputes between waterright holders.
• Work directly with HLVRCD legal team regarding current litigation and retrieve any
additional documentation that is necessary.
• The Wastermaster is encouraged to develop projects, reach out to cooperative agencies
and engineering firms in order to apply for Grants for the Service Area.
• Expand the Operations Manual for the Susan River WMSA.
Reporting:
• Develop Annual Use Report to be submitted to the Lassen County Superior Court,
which includes the irrigation seasons measures and happenings.
• Create a Bi-monthly written report for Watermaster Advisory Committee (WAC)
meetings,summarizing the past 2 months’ activities and water conditions.
Public Relations:
• Field phone calls, texts, and emails from water users’ questions about the water availability,
concerns or problems within 24 hours.
• Wield authority necessary to order water users to curtail water or limit water diversion in
accordance with water usage limits described in the decrees.
• Take necessary measures in the field and office to resolve disagreements between water
right holders over water rights.
Watermaster Service Annual Budget and Apportionment:
• Work with the RCD District Manager to develop an annual Watermaster Service budget.
• Gather information from the County Assessor’s Office and other entities to maintain
accurate records.
• Redetermine water rights as a result of land modifications and sales to determine the
water right amount adjudicated to the modern APNs.
• Prepare an annual billing of water service fees for all users proportional to their water
right.
• Meet court mandated deadlines for mailing, filing, or notification of water users or
government official of various documents.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Preferred, not required – Graduation from a four-year college or university with a
Bachelor’s Degree in a Physical Science
• Agriculture, Hydrology, Engineering, Soil and Crop Management or a closely
related science degree plus two (2) years water management or hydrology
experience preferred.
• Ability to learn, comprehend, and apply the legal language of the Decrees and recorded
agreementsthat define water rights within the Susan River WMSA.
• Experience working in a leadership or authoritative position.
• Experience working effectively with Committees, Boards, and/or landowners to resolve
disputes and convey technical information. Ability to effectively correspond verbally
with others in difficult or sensitive situations.
• Experience collecting hydrologic data.
• The ability to develop and prepare effective and comprehensive correspondence, reports
and other written material.
• A valid CA Driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Ability to traverse rugged terrain and work around fast and deep flowing water and swim
in flowing water.
• Able to drive in rugged terrain both trucks and UTV’s
• Experience with the Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS Pro
• Strong understanding of algebra, calculus preferred
• Comfortable working with hands on physical tasks in the field.
• Comfortable using tools in order to stabilize wood and metal structures.
• Comfortable managing numerous, and frequently changing tasks and issues, and
organizing one’s own work priorities and responsibilities.
• Living locally or willing to move to the Susanville/Lassen County, CA area. Due to the
nature of this job, this position is not eligible for remote work, especially during field
season.
Salary Range and Benefits: Permanent seasonal employee position: salaried, $56,000 –
$72,800/year depending on experience, February – November work season. Medical
insurance coverage can be provided or stipend reimbursement. Maxi-flex schedule. Work
truck stationed at home. Teleworking options available for office duties. For the 1
st year- 3 hours PTO, 4 hours Sick Leave per biweekly paycheck; increased to 4 hours PTO and 4 hours
Sick Leave after the 1st year of service. Opportunity for merit and COLA increases as budget
allows. 11 Paid Holidays, 2 Paid Half-Holidays. Signing Bonus after 60 day probationary period –
$1000.00, retention bonus of $1000.00 after 1 year of employment, $1500.00 after 2 years of
employment.
To Apply: Send resume, cover letter, and a list of at least three (3) work references to Henry
Anderson, HLVRCD Deputy Watermaster, at watermaster@honeylakevalleyrcd.us.
Closing Date: First review of applications May 26th, 2023. For additional information
about the HLVRCD please visit our website at www.honeylakevalleyrcd.us
