Sonoma Water Technical Writing Specialist

As a Sonoma Water Technical Writing Specialist, you will be responsible for composing, editing, and finalizing agreements and detailed construction project specifications; preparing construction contracts, assisting in administering the public project bid process, requests for proposals, and requests for statements of qualifications in compliance with regulations and established policies and procedures, and reviewing and editing various types of technical reports . Additional responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and editing technical documents for grammar, clarity, and consistency
• Following standardized processes, templates, and guidelines to streamline documentation creation and ensure consistency across projects
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create clear, concise, well-structured, and comprehensive technical documents, agreements, reports, guidelines, and contracts

The ideal candidate joining Sonoma Water as a Technical Writing Specialist will possess many of the following

• Excellent oral and written communication skills used to translate complex technical ideas and material into clear, concise language, and the ability to facilitate thoughtful and clear dialogue with a wide variety of colleagues
• The capacity to handle a broad range of duties and to continually assess and adjust work efforts based on competing priorities of multiple projects
• The ability to actively listen, communicate well with others, gather and organize information, actively learn, visually interpret information, analyze issues, and solve problems
• The ability to gather information from subject matter experts and other sources while understanding the broader business context and how it connects to current work assignments
• College-level coursework or experience and training in the areas of engineering, technical writing, contract law, environmental studies, or other subject matter that is relevant to Sonoma Water’s core functions
• Advanced MS Office/business technology skills to efficiently incorporate multiple file formats into single documents and to quickly understand and use a large library of document templates, Experience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include academic coursework in engineering, technical writing, contract law, journalism, natural resources, accounting, business or public administration, English, or a closely related field, and two years of experience managing construction projects, grants, engineering projects, and/or public work projects which included writing and editing of reports, manuals, specifications, proposals, and/or agreements.

License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised in this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License. Certification: For assignments involving construction management, the Constructions Documents Technologies certification from the Construction Specification Institute is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and composition; basic mathematics; document structure and formatting techniques; organizational techniques; and interviewing and listening techniques; the techniques of writing and editing technical reports, agreements, and grant proposals; contract principles and roles; civil engineering, natural resources, and grant principles, practices, and terminology; public contract law; project and grant management principles and practices; written and oral communications, ; basic insurance requirements and risk mitigation techniques for agreements and contracts; and modern office methods, procedures, and software programs.

Ability to: obtain and interpret technical information; read, comprehend, and interpret documents such as engineering specifications construction drawings, agreements, contracts, technical reports, and grant proposals; prepare and coordinate execution of agreements, contracts, and grant proposals; understand and apply budgetary and operational principles and practices; make mathematical calculations; analyze situations and adopt effective course of action; observe and work with details; write effectively and use good judgment in assembling, evaluating, and using information; understand the implications of new project information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making related to grants, agreements, and specifications, determine contractual and grant requirements for agreements and contracts to establish performance and compliance standards; monitor consultant and contractor performance; interpret and make recommendations based on regulations, policies; guidance, and agreement provisions; communicate and listen effectively; follow procedures; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff and the public., * Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification., These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need., Our County’s mission is to provide superior and courteous services to support, preserve, and enhance the health, safety and quality of life for the people of Sonoma County.

Explore Your Career:

As the region’s largest employer, the County of Sonoma offers you a level of career diversity that is as expansive as the county itself. From nursing to engineering, information technology to land management and everything in-between, we’ve got over 800 different opportunities waiting for you. But even more than just opportunity, we give you flexibility. Follow your dreams of working at the top. Or follow your interests and work where you want. Either way, you can have it all here.

Explore Your Life:

With over 1,600 square miles of rolling hills and staggering coastline, you could spend a lifetime exploring everything that Sonoma County has to offer. Whether you explore wineries and epicurean delights, or our uncharted expanses of backcountry wilderness, our 300 plus days of sunshine will provide the perfect setting for the lifestyle you’ve always wanted.