Spezialist/-in Gebrauchswasser 80-100% - Job Opportunity at Bau- und Verkehrsdirektion Amt für Wasser und Abfall

Bern, Switzerland
Part-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 14, 2025
Hybrid
Based on Swiss public sector compensation scales and the specialized nature of hydrogeology expertise, this position likely offers between CHF 85,000-110,000 annually (approximately USD 95,000-123,000). The 80-100% employment range suggests flexibility in compensation corresponding to workload commitment, with full-time equivalent potentially reaching the upper range.

Benefits

Hybrid work arrangement with 50% remote work flexibility, providing exceptional work-life balance in a traditionally office-bound government sector
Opportunity to work on complex interdisciplinary water management projects with significant environmental impact
Collaborative environment with experienced team members offering knowledge transfer and professional mentorship
Excellent public transportation accessibility in Bern, reducing commute stress and costs
Exposure to diverse water utilization projects through cross-training and substitution opportunities
Government employment stability with comprehensive Swiss public sector benefits package

Key Responsibilities

Lead and independently manage concession procedures for water usage applications, primarily focusing on drinking water concessions that directly impact public health and safety
Coordinate complex interdisciplinary procedures involving multiple regulatory bodies, demonstrating project management capabilities in high-stakes regulatory environments
Author technical and specialist reports for strategic water management projects, influencing policy decisions at cantonal level
Contribute to strategic development initiatives within the water management domain, shaping future regulatory frameworks
Participate in organizational development of the specialized water management department, driving operational improvements

Requirements

Education

(Fach-)Hochschulabschluss in Geologie, Hydrogeologie, Geografie oder Bau-/Umweltingenieur

Experience

mehrere Jahre Berufserfahrung in einem Geologie-/Umweltbüro, Bereich Hydrogeologie

Required Skills

evtl. Weiterbildung im Bereich Recht, (Bau-)Bewilligungsverfahren erste Erfahrung in der Verwaltung wenn möglich vorhanden Interesse an interdisziplinären Verfahren, Austausch mit Fachstellen analytisches Denken organisatorisches Flair grosse Selbstständigkeit Sorgfalt Dienstleistungsbewusstsein sehr gute Deutschkenntnisse mit exakter (insb. schriftlicher) Ausdrucksweise Französischkenntnisse sind von Vorteil
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Water resource management is experiencing unprecedented scrutiny due to climate change impacts and increasing regulatory complexity across European markets. Swiss cantons are particularly focused on sustainable water management practices, creating specialized roles that bridge technical expertise with regulatory compliance. Digital transformation in environmental consulting is driving demand for professionals who can navigate both traditional hydrogeological assessment methods and modern data management systems. Government agencies are increasingly seeking candidates who can adapt to evolving technological frameworks while maintaining regulatory rigor. The intersection of environmental protection and public utilities management is creating hybrid roles that require both technical expertise and administrative competency. This trend is particularly pronounced in Switzerland where environmental stewardship is deeply integrated into governance structures.

Role Significance

Typical Swiss cantonal water management departments operate with 8-15 specialists, suggesting this role functions within a moderately-sized team where individual contributions have meaningful organizational impact. The emphasis on coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration indicates a matrix organizational structure.
This mid-level specialist position carries significant autonomous decision-making authority within the water management regulatory framework. The role demonstrates substantial professional independence while requiring coordination with senior officials on strategic initiatives, indicating a position that bridges technical execution with policy development.

Key Projects

Comprehensive drinking water concession evaluations affecting municipal water supply systems Multi-stakeholder environmental impact assessments for industrial water usage applications Strategic water resource planning initiatives supporting cantonal sustainability objectives Cross-departmental regulatory harmonization projects involving construction and environmental permits

Success Factors

Mastery of Swiss water law and regulatory procedures combined with deep hydrogeological technical knowledge creates the foundation for effective decision-making in complex regulatory scenarios. Success requires balancing environmental protection imperatives with practical water usage needs. Strong written communication skills in German are essential for producing legally compliant technical reports that can withstand regulatory scrutiny and potential legal challenges. The ability to translate complex technical findings into clear administrative language directly impacts regulatory outcomes. Collaborative relationship-building across multiple government departments and external stakeholders enables effective project coordination and consensus-building. Success depends on navigating bureaucratic structures while maintaining technical integrity. Analytical problem-solving capabilities combined with attention to detail ensure accurate assessment of water usage applications and protection of environmental resources. The ability to synthesize complex technical data into actionable regulatory decisions is crucial.

Market Demand

High demand exists for qualified hydrogeologists with regulatory experience in Switzerland, driven by stringent environmental protection requirements and ongoing infrastructure modernization projects. The specialized combination of technical expertise and administrative capability makes this role particularly valuable in the current market.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Hydrogeological expertise forms the technical foundation for accurate water resource assessment and protection decision-making. Without deep understanding of groundwater systems and surface water interactions, regulatory decisions could have severe environmental and public health consequences. German language proficiency at professional levels is absolutely essential for producing legally compliant documentation and communicating effectively with stakeholders across government departments. Technical writing skills in German directly impact the legal validity of regulatory decisions. Regulatory procedure knowledge ensures compliance with Swiss administrative law requirements and protects both the organization and applicants from legal challenges. Understanding of permit processes and appeal procedures is fundamental to effective role performance.

Beneficial Skills

French language skills expand professional opportunities within Switzerland's multilingual governmental structure and enhance stakeholder communication capabilities across linguistic regions. Legal education or training strengthens regulatory decision-making and appeals management, providing career advancement opportunities toward senior policy roles. Project management certification or experience enhances ability to coordinate complex interdisciplinary procedures and manage multiple concurrent applications effectively.

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to influence water policy at both cantonal and potentially national levels through regulatory precedent-setting decisions
Integration of cutting-edge hydrogeological science with practical public administration, offering unique professional development spanning technical and policy domains
Direct impact on environmental sustainability outcomes affecting hundreds of thousands of residents through drinking water security decisions
Exposure to Switzerland's most complex water management challenges, including climate adaptation and infrastructure modernization projects

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs over 5-7 years in Swiss public sector roles, with advancement dependent on demonstrated regulatory expertise and strategic project leadership. Transition to senior management or specialized consulting roles often requires additional legal or policy education.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Water Resources Manager with broader strategic oversight of cantonal water policy development Environmental Compliance Director managing comprehensive regulatory frameworks across multiple environmental domains Consulting Practice Leader specializing in water resource management for private environmental consulting firms International Water Policy Advisor working with European environmental agencies or international development organizations

Company Overview

Bau- und Verkehrsdirektion Amt für Wasser und Abfall

The Bau- und Verkehrsdirektion represents one of Switzerland's most established cantonal administrative bodies, responsible for comprehensive infrastructure and environmental management across the Bern canton. As part of the Amt für Wasser und Abfall, this department plays a critical role in implementing Switzerland's nationally recognized environmental protection standards while managing practical infrastructure needs for over one million residents.

This organization operates as a leading authority in Swiss environmental governance, with regulatory decisions that influence national water management policies and serve as models for other cantons. The department's technical expertise and regulatory authority position it as a key player in Switzerland's environmental protection ecosystem.
The Bern canton represents Switzerland's second-largest regional government, with significant influence on national environmental policy development. This role provides exposure to high-profile water management challenges affecting both urban and rural communities across a geographically diverse region.
Swiss public sector employment emphasizes collaborative decision-making, thorough documentation, and long-term strategic thinking. The culture values technical expertise while promoting cross-departmental collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Work-life balance is prioritized through flexible arrangements and comprehensive benefits.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.