Occupations · Management

Water Resource Specialists

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

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 11-9121.02

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Review or evaluate designs for water detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities, or other hydraulic structures.
Conduct technical studies for water resources on topics such as pollutants and water treatment options.
Present water resource proposals to government, public interest groups, or community groups.
Develop plans to protect watershed health or rehabilitate watersheds.
Conduct cost-benefit studies for watershed improvement projects or water management alternatives.
Write proposals, project reports, informational brochures, or other documents on wastewater purification, water supply and demand, or other water resource subjects.
Provide technical expertise to assist communities in the development or implementation of storm water monitoring or other water programs.
Compile and maintain documentation on the health of a body of water.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension4.0

Active Listening4.0

Writing4.0

Speaking4.0

Critical Thinking4.0

Mathematics3.2

Active Learning3.2

Monitoring3.2

Learning Strategies3.1

Science3.0

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Autodesk AutoCAD●ESRI ArcGIS software●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●Structured query language SQL●DHI MIKE URBANDatabase softwareESRI ArcGIS Spatial AnalystESRI ArcInfoESRI ArcPadESRI ArcViewESRI ArcView 3D AnalystFishXingGeographic information system GIS softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsGlobal positioning system GPS softwareGoogle Earth ProHEC-HMSHEC-RASLaboratory information management system LIMSMWH Soft H2ONET MSXMWH Soft InfoSWMMMapping softwareRIVERMorphTIBCO Spotfire S+

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls−1.5 below average

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions−1.3 below average

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks−1.2 below average

Spend Time Sitting+1.0 above average

Spend Time Standing−1.0 below average

E-Mail+1.0 above average

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable−0.9 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2020-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Master's Degree50%

Bachelor's Degree50%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2020-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Investigative5.8

Realistic4.5

Conventional4.2

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Time Management3.9

Judgment and Decision Making3.9

Complex Problem Solving3.8

Systems Evaluation3.6

Systems Analysis3.6

Coordination3.2

Persuasion3.1

Instructing3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Engineering and TechnologyMathematicsDesignPhysicsComputers and ElectronicsEnglish Language

Abilities it leans on

Written ComprehensionOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive Reasoning

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

HydrotechnicianResource SpecialistWater Resource AgentPower Supply EngineerWater Resources PlannerWater Rights SpecialistWater Quality SpecialistHydrotechnical SpecialistWater Resource ConsultantWater Resource SpecialistWater Restoration TechnicianCommunity Resource ConsultantEnvironmental Resource SpecialistWater Resource Engineering Specialist

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 2 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 5

+Geographic information system GIS software+RIVERMorph+Mapping software+Autodesk AutoCAD+Geographic information system GIS systems

No longer listed 1

−Scientific Software Group RIVERMorph

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

HydrogeologistHydrotechnicianWatershed ManagerResource EngineerResearch ScientistResource SpecialistWater Resource AgentSenior Group ManagerPurification DirectorSenior HydrogeologistWater Supply EngineerPower Supply Engineer

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
water engineer	2142.1.11	close
environmental engineer	2143.1	close
natural resources consultant	2133.8	close
environmental policy officer	2422.10.5	close

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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