What Does it Take to Be a Water Resource Specialist?
Water Resource Specialist Job Description Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
List of Water Resource Specialist Job Duties
- Negotiate for water rights with communities or water facilities to meet water supply demands.
- Perform hydrologic, hydraulic, or water quality modeling.
- Develop or implement standardized water monitoring and assessment methods.
- Monitor water use, demand, or quality in a particular geographic area.
- 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.
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Things a Water Resource Specialist Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Water Resource Specialists say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Water Resource Specialist Job Titles
- Water Resource Manager
- Resource Specialist
- VP-Senior Principal Water Resources Engineer
- Senior Hydrogeologist
- Hydrogeologist
Water Resource Specialist Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 56,700 jobs in the United States for Water Resource Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,600 new jobs for Water Resource Specialist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,200 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Water Resource Specialist are Utah, Arizona, and Missouri. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Wyoming, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Water Resource Specialist Salary
The average yearly salary of a Water Resource Specialist ranges between $65,000 and $208,000.

Water Resource Specialists who work in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Water Resource Specialists make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $112,140 |
Alaska | $106,010 |
Arizona | $101,790 |
Arkansas | $109,910 |
California | $168,790 |
Colorado | $141,750 |
Connecticut | $179,200 |
District of Columbia | $132,310 |
Hawaii | $115,240 |
Idaho | $93,940 |
Illinois | $118,480 |
Indiana | $65,270 |
Iowa | $127,440 |
Kansas | $127,440 |
Kentucky | $110,070 |
Louisiana | $94,850 |
Maine | $135,840 |
Maryland | $148,310 |
Massachusetts | $183,490 |
Michigan | $113,840 |
Minnesota | $125,780 |
Mississippi | $101,240 |
Missouri | $116,190 |
Montana | $104,930 |
Nebraska | $89,620 |
Nevada | $115,150 |
New Jersey | $184,640 |
New Mexico | $104,030 |
New York | $148,460 |
North Carolina | $153,490 |
North Dakota | $115,540 |
Ohio | $131,680 |
Oklahoma | $116,160 |
Oregon | $109,610 |
Pennsylvania | $147,810 |
Rhode Island | $132,880 |
South Carolina | $91,270 |
South Dakota | $105,190 |
Tennessee | $111,670 |
Texas | $127,270 |
Utah | $99,810 |
Vermont | $97,340 |
Virginia | $133,360 |
Washington | $153,600 |
Wisconsin | $106,110 |
Wyoming | $95,120 |
What Tools do Water Resource Specialists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Water Resource Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Database software
- Structured query language SQL
- Geographic information system GIS software
- ESRI ArcView
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Mapping software
- ESRI ArcInfo
- Laboratory information management system LIMS
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- ESRI ArcView 3D Analyst
- ESRI ArcPad
How to Become a Water Resource Specialist
What kind of Water Resource Specialist requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Water Resource Specialist?

References:
Image Credit: Janderk via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.