HYDROGEOLOGIST 3 (Adjudications)

Arizona Department of Administration; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work option

Wellness plans

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Arizona Department of Water Resources is seeking a Hydrogeologist 3 to support the Adjudications Division in Phoenix. The role involves field data collection, GIS analysis, and hydrologic reporting for water rights adjudications.

The position requires detailed technical work, potential expert witness duties, and collaboration with multiple agency staff. A two-day on-site requirement per week is specified, with remote-work opportunities under Arizona policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in geology, hydrology, or related field and formal hydrologic experience.
• Experience with water resources management and hydrogeology analysis.
• Ability to prepare technical reports and present findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for the Adjudications Division, including data analysis and reporting.
• Lead projects related to major adjudications and water settlements.
• Participate in complex field investigations requiring multidisciplinary expertise.
• Serve as an expert witness for contested cases and prepare for depositions/testimony.
• Deliver accurate customer service to public and private entities.

Skills

Hydrogeology

GIS analysis

Field data collection

Water resource management

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in geology/hydrology/related field

5 years hydrologic or related experience

Tools

ESRI ArcGIS

GPS

Job description

DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

ADWR’s mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving, and enhancing Arizona's water supplies in a bold, thoughtful and innovative manner. ADWR strives to ensure reliable water supplies to meet the needs of current and future Arizonans.

Do you want to join our team? ADWR is seeking a Hydrogeologist 3 for the Adjudications Division.

Hydrogeologist 3

Adjudications Division

WWW.AZWATER.GOV

Hybrid: 1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $55,000 - $75,000

Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open until Filled

This position will provide support to the Arizona General Stream Adjudication Courts and Master(s) as described in the Arizona Revised Statutes 45-256(A). This includes leading projects related to the Gila and Little Colorado River Adjudications, Indian water settlements and water claims, and investigations. This position will coordinate closely with all Adjudications staff and agency personnel in other sections as necessary to complete work directed by the Division Supervisor. This position is responsible for analyzing water resource information and imagery as well as GIS data collection and analysis. This position may also serve as an expert witness for contested cases within the Adjudications, prepare for depositions and may be required to testify in court.

A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week is required.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties

The person in this position will be responsible for providing technical support associated with the Adjudications Division, including:

• Field data collection, analyzing water resource information and imagery, map production, performing water rights and landownership research, and summarizing water resource related information in technical reports and other documents.
• Leads projects related to the Gila and Little Colorado River Adjudications, Indian water rights settlements and water claims, and investigations
• Responsible for participating in complex and/or field investigative projects that require multi-disciplinary expertise. This includes researching and planning water resources data collection of a complex, sensitive, and visible nature.
• Serves as an expert witness for specific contested cases within the Adjudications. Prepares for legal depositions and trial testimony
• Responsible for providing accurate and efficient customer service to all entities, both public and private sector
• Other duties as assigned related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of

• The complex and technical aspects of the Adjudication program.
• Departmental policies and procedures as well as the statutes and rules governing Arizona's General Stream Adjudications.
• Legal process to determine water rights.
• Concepts, principles, and practices of water resources management, the nature and occurrence of surface water and groundwater, specifically as it relates to Adjudications.
• Information sources and research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management.
• Principles of physical geography, hydrology and/or hydrogeology.
• Mapping software including ESRI ArcGIS/Arcview/Arcmap mapping tools, cartographic principles, geographic projections, data sources and formats, information analysis, relational databases and geo-databases.
• Analyzing cultural water demands including agricultural, municipal and inflow models.

Skills in

• Written and oral communications with both individuals and groups.
• Problem solving identification and analysis, in addition to problem solving techniques.
• Analyzing and interpreting water resource management data and aerial imagery.
• Conveying technical subjects to a non‑technical audience and presenting a concept in a concise and organized fashion.
• Technical writing and editing of complex reports. Analyzing and interpreting water resource management data including imagery.
• Preparing maps and drawings based on field data, aerial photography analysis, land surveys, etc.
• Conducting field investigations, working outdoors and collecting a variety of water related data using GPS systems and other equipment such as flow meters, water level recorders, etc.
• Process improvement and lean practices.

Ability to

• Communicate effectively and present technical data to a variety of audiences.
• Work well under pressure.
• Produce detailed technical reports involving complex subject matter within Court directed time frames.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, governmental officials, the regulated community and the public.
• Present technical data to a variety of audiences.
• Testify and represent the agency.
• Collaborate with other sections and Legal Division staff.
• Organize, prioritize and manage diverse technical projects.

Selective Preference(s)

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state‑issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment

Pre-Employment Requirements

This position requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geology, hydrology, or a related field and five (5) years of hydrologic or a related experience; or a Master's degree in one of the above fields and three (3) years of related experience or a Doctorate in a related field Doctorate in a related field and one (1) year of professional level water resource/ hydrogeological experience. This position requires fieldwork.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E‑Verify).

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans

• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Sick Leave
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts

By providing the option of a full‑time or part‑time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

Retirement

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771‑8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

Advertised: 10 Sep 2026 US Mountain Standard Time

Applications close: