Water Resource Specialist

City of Farmington Hills; Farmington (NM); On-site; USD 53,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Farmington seeks a Water Resource Specialist to join the Water Administration unit. The role focuses on developing the 40-year Water Plan, reviewing projections, managing water rights, and advancing conservation measures.

Strong communication with public and internal teams is essential. Qualifications emphasize civil or water resources engineering degrees and experience in water resource management, with licensure paths (PE/EIT) outlined for higher levels.

Qualifications

• Pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up drug/alcohol testing required.
• Extensive background checks required.
• Degree in civil engineering, water resources or related field with 2 years relevant experience; or Master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• Valid driver’s license with clean three-year record.
• Knowledge of water rights laws and regulations governing surface water resources.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Water/Wastewater CIP Administrator-selected staff and support the division’s planning.
• Develop and annually review the City’s 40-Year Water Plan and align it with City goals.
• Create a Water Conservation Plan for the City’s Water Utility System and outline future conservation measures.
• Administer and maintain the water rights portfolio in compliance with state statutes and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate and oversee design work by consulting engineers under contract with the City.

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology or closely related field

Master's degree in civil engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology or closely related field may substitute for two years experience

ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

City of Farmington

Job Position #124: Water Resource Specialist

(position Level Shall Be Determined By Selected Applicant Qualifications)

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1

Community Works/Water Administration

WORK LOCATION: West Annex, 805 Municipal Drive (2nd Floor)

TYPE OF POSITION: Regular/Full-Time

Pay Class/Hiring Range

Water Resource Specialist "L" $53,347.42 - $82,997.82/Annually

Water Resource Specialist (EIT) "M" $58,018.48 - $90,159.47/Annually

Water Resource Specialist (PE) "O" $69,572.67 - $108,191.62/Annually

DAYS WORKED: Monday – Friday

HOURS WORKED: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED: Until Filled

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Works under the supervision of the Water/Wastewater CIP Administrator.
• Using excellent customer service skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the general public.
• Operates a motor vehicle to assist in carrying out the business of the department and the City.
• Works within the Water and Wastewater Utilities Division of the Public Works Department which is responsible for components of the raw water supply system, including but not limited to ditches, pumping stations, storage reservoirs and water rights.
• Responsible for the development, and yearly review & revision, of the City's 40-Year Water Plan. The 40-Year Water Plan inventories and documents water rights and current usage of water resources and develops projections of water demands over a 40-year planning period. This review and revision will align with the strategic goals of the City of Farmington.
• Responsible for the development of a Water Conservation Plan for the City of Farmington's Water Utility System. The Water Conservation Plan inventories and documents current conservation policies and practices and identifies and recommends future appropriate conservation measures, policies, and practices along with strategies for implementation of those recommendations.
• Administer and maintain the water rights portfolio, ensuring compliance with New Mexico state statutes, regulations, and reporting requirements while protecting the organization's water rights assets.
• Performs technical research in regard to capital improvement projects or as requested from other departments.
• Assists in preparing plans, designs, and directs construction of public works improvement projects, including streets, sewer, water, storm or irrigation systems & is expected to be able to complete tasks with little to no supervision and will supervise other staff as assigned.
• Coordinates and oversees design of projects performed by consulting engineering firms under contract with the City. Works with and directs engineering consultants and City purchasing staff in preparation and award of bids and contracts, including the facilitation of pre-bid and pre-construction meetings.
• Responsible for performing inspections, designs, plans, maps, profiles and preparation of specifications under the supervision of the Water/Wastewater CIP Administrator.
• Determines applicable codes, regulations, and requirements for assigned projects. Performs technical research and economic analyses and write technical solutions in regard to capital improvement projects as requested from other departments.
• Communicates with the Water/Wastewater Administrator to keep them informed of the division's progress and activities and any significant contacts with the public and the media. Communicates with the Public Works Director through the Division Administrator.
• Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.

Non-essential Duties

• May serve on various employee committees, as required and assigned.
• May supervise interns or temporary employees as assigned.
• Being New Mexico Certified Flood Plain Manager is a plus.
• Reviews plats for compliance with codes and standards and recommends proposed changes to the project engineer.
• Reviews building permits for drainage and infrastructure concerns.
• The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications

This position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.

Extensive background checks required.

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology or closely related field and two (2) years experience in the planning, development, conservation, administration, and management of surface water resource; or a Master's degree in civil engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology or closely related field may be substituted for two years of the experience requirement.

Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.

Comprehensive knowledge of water rights laws and regulations pertaining to surface water resource development, administration and management.

Considerable knowledge of State of New Mexico Environment Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations and permit requirements and interstate stream compacts and applicable U.S. and New Mexico Supreme Court decrees.

Knowledge of mathematics (area calculations), hydrology (flow and volume calculations), land surveying principles and techniques (legal descriptions), aerial photography and map interpretation and geographic information systems.

Skill in performing specialized engineering investigations, writing technical reports, and general correspondence.

Skill in performing specialized engineering investigations.

Extensive skills in writing technical reports and general correspondence.

Working knowledge of personal computers, word processing and spreadsheet software, and modeling techniques.

Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with supervisors, employees and general public on matters related to water resource issues.

Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other City personnel and the public.

Skill in maintaining positive public relations while responding to realistic concerns under stressful circumstances.

Ability to work under stress and handle stressful situations.

Ability to meet deadlines.

Ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions.

Water Resource Specialist – (L) – (EXEMPT)

At this position level, graduation from a college or university with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology, or a closely related field is required. There this a strong preference for a bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited college or university.

Water Resource Specialist (EIT) – (M) – (EXEMPT)

At this position level, an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate is required. An EIT through the State of New Mexico is strongly preferred. Must acquire EIT certificate through the State of New Mexico within 2 years.

Water Resource Specialist (PE) – (O) – (EXEMPT)

At this level, registration as a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) is required. A PE through the State of New Mexico is strongly preferred. Must acquire PE license through the State of New Mexico within 2 years.

Tools And Equipment Used

Calculator, telephone, radio, fax and copy machine, computer (desktop and laptop) and applicable software packages, motor vehicles.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand and frequently walk; use hands to handle, or operate tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear.

The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is generally in a quiet office setting.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F/D/V