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Science11-9121.02Specialization

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$157,740
Median Pay
4-6 years
Training
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Facilities & Property Managers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 4/6: low AI task exposure means AI will assist but humans remain essential (estimated from legacy data)

🟡AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

12% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

0% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 16/25

Total Score4/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
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Key Responsibilities

  • Perform hydrologic, hydraulic, or water quality modeling.
  • Analyze storm water systems to identify opportunities for water resource improvements.
  • Conduct, or oversee the conduct of, investigations on matters such as water storage, wastewater discharge, pollutants, permits, or other compliance and regulatory issues.
  • Develop strategies for watershed operations to meet water supply and conservation goals or to ensure regulatory compliance with clean water laws or regulations.
  • Conduct technical studies for water resources on topics such as pollutants and water treatment options.
  • Review or evaluate designs for water detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities, or other hydraulic structures.
  • Present water resource proposals to government, public interest groups, or community groups.
  • Develop plans to protect watershed health or rehabilitate watersheds.
  • Write proposals, project reports, informational brochures, or other documents on wastewater purification, water supply and demand, or other water resource subjects.
  • Conduct cost-benefit studies for watershed improvement projects or water management alternatives.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Bachelor's degree

Time to Job Ready

4-6 years

Based on Job Zone 4. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

GIS softwareHydrological modeling softwareMicrosoft Office (Excel)Database systemsWater quality software

Key Abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingNear VisionSpeech Clarity

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Find jobs and training programs for water resource specialists- Median salary: $158K/year

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Compensation Details

$77,520
10th Percentile
$157,740
Median
N/A
90th Percentile

Based on 96,520 employed workers

Also Known As

Community Resource ConsultantEnvironmental Resource SpecialistHydrotechnical SpecialistHydrotechnicianPower Supply EngineerResource SpecialistWater Quality SpecialistWater Resource AgentWater Resource ConsultantWater Resource Engineering Specialist

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 11-9121.02