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Water Rights Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Rite of Passage

WATER OPERATOR

San Andreas, CA · On-site

$35/hr

Rite of Passage Team is hiring for Part-Time Water Operator in San Andreas, California Nestled in ... For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

City of Vallejo, CA

Senior Civil Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$132K - $160K/yr

The Division also aids in the management of the City's long-term water supply and in protecting the City's water rights for future generations. The Vallejo Water Department is a dynamic organization ...

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City of Vallejo

Senior Civil Engineer

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$132K - $160K/yr

The Division also aids in the management of the City's long-term water supply and in protecting the City's water rights for future generations. The Vallejo Water Department is a dynamic organization ...

New

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Showing results 21-40

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Water Rights information

See California salary details

$13

$22

$33

How much do water rights jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for water rights in California is $22.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $25.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are water rights?

Water rights are legal entitlements that allow individuals, organizations, or governments to use a certain amount of water from a specific source, such as a river, stream, or groundwater. These rights determine who can access water, for what purposes (like irrigation, municipal use, or industrial activities), and under what conditions. Water rights can be complex and vary widely by region, often governed by state and local laws. In many places, water rights can be bought, sold, or leased, making them valuable assets. Understanding water rights is essential for anyone involved in agriculture, real estate, or industries that depend on water resources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water rights specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Rights Specialist, you need a solid background in environmental science, hydrology, or law, often supported by a relevant degree and experience with water allocation regulations. Familiarity with GIS software, water modeling tools, and legal research databases is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation, and communication skills set top professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualifications are essential for navigating complex regulations, resolving disputes, and ensuring sustainable and legal water resource management.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in water rights management?

Professionals in water rights management often encounter challenges such as navigating complex and evolving regulatory frameworks, balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders (including agricultural, municipal, and environmental interests), and resolving disputes over water allocation. The role frequently requires negotiating between parties, interpreting legal documents, and staying current with state and federal water laws. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to analyze hydrological and legal data to support informed decision-making.

What is the difference between Water Rights vs Water Rights Technician?

AspectWater RightsWater Rights Technician
CredentialsLegal, environmental, or water resource certifications; often requires a degree in law, environmental science, or related fieldsTechnical certifications; often requires training in water management, GIS, or surveying
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, government agencies, or water resource departmentsFieldwork, surveying sites, data collection, and analysis
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, law firms, environmental consultanciesWater agencies, environmental firms, consulting companies

Water Rights professionals focus on legal and regulatory aspects of water access and usage, while Water Rights Technicians support these efforts through technical data collection and fieldwork. Both roles are essential in water resource management but differ in their focus and required skills.

What are popular job titles related to Water Rights jobs in California?

For Water Rights jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Water Rights jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Water Rights jobs in California are:

Water Rights jobs near you
Infographic showing various Water Rights job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,592 per year, or $22.4 per hour.

Water Manager, Data Center Development

Meta

San Francisco, CA

$132K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 244 rated software companies

Job description

Meta is seeking a Water Manager to lead water stewardship and environmental compliance efforts in support of data center development and operations. In this role, you will drive strategies to minimize water consumption, manage regulatory permitting, and advance sustainable water use across Meta's data center portfolio. You will work at the intersection of environmental engineering, infrastructure development, and corporate sustainability, ensuring that Meta's data centers meet rigorous water efficiency targets and comply with applicable environmental regulations.
Water Manager, Data Center Development Responsibilities:
  • Lead water and wastewater due diligence, risk assessments, and strategy for data center site selection efforts in the U.S., including watershed analyses, utility and infrastructure assessments, water rights needs, and/or water-related permit requirements
  • Facilitate and drive communication and cross-team coordination between internal water stakeholders, including sustainability, engineering, design, and construction
  • Manage and develop water/sewer agreements during all phases of a project, including initial negotiations along with partner teams during site selection, including the renegotiation of agreements if needed
  • Lead discussions and long-term relationships with water utilities regarding technical aspects of projects, including water/sewer agreement terms and conditions, projected capacity requirements of various data center products, and off-site infrastructure improvements
  • Scope, review findings, and provide direction to consultants and internal teams on water evaluations, when necessary
  • Communicate to multiple diverse Meta teams and leadership regarding water risks and operational viability for new sites, as well as water commitments and obligations for selected sites
  • Work with internal partners on external stakeholder communication
  • Collaborate with the Meta Policy team to monitor relevant state and local policies that could affect water for specific sites
  • Provide expertise to diverse internal teams and coordinate with other teams about relevant water issues and requirements. Develop training and educational tools regarding water goals, compliance, and awareness
  • Manage the preparation of transition documents for use by the Water Program Manager during construction and operations for data centers, including coordinating input from consultants and diverse internal teams
  • Assist in facilitating the growth of the water program within Meta Data Centers as the company continues to grow and builds water excellence

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and coordinate with internal staff, external consultants, and other stakeholders
  • Ability to communicate and work with highly confidential information
  • Experience independently managing task execution, tracking progress, and driving deliverables to completion with minimal oversight
  • Professional experience in working with water utilities in the United States
  • Ability to travel domestically (up to 30%)
  • Technical expertise related to water use and wastewater discharge, water efficiency techniques, as well as water policy and permitting in the United States
  • Strong communication, organizational, and program management skills
  • Ability to work in teams, and establish and maintain cross-functional and working relationships
  • Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of professional experience in the planning, design, construction, and operation of utility infrastructure projects for water supply, treatment, and conveyance and wastewater treatment, water resources management, and/or hydrology/hydrogeology

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
  • Experience with water and wastewater infrastructure planning for data centers
  • Professional Civil Engineer's License
  • Experience supporting water stewardship programs for data centers, hyperscale facilities, or other high water-use technology infrastructure
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
  • Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
  • Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
  • Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
  • Master's degree in related field

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$132,000/year to $188,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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