Water Resources Analyst

American Water Works Association; Arvada (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Arvada seeks a Water Resources Analyst to support water supply operations, including raw water diversions and dam stability, and to assist with water rights administration and emergency planning.

You will work in the field, collaborate with state and local agencies, and participate in ditch company matters while protecting Arvada's water resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a water resources related field or engineering.
• Strong knowledge of Colorado water law and water rights processes.
• Experience with field operations and data management for water resources.

Responsibilities

• Identify field operations and minor maintenance for raw water diversions and measure flow.
• Adjust diversions and pumping in response to State Engineer's Office directives.
• Update city water use data using Excel and related tools; coordinate with departments.
• Represent the City at water meetings and participate in ditch company matters.
• Maintain raw water infrastructure in operable condition and manage projects with staff.
• Assist in preparing water court documentation and emergency preparedness plans.

Skills

Colorado water law

Raw water field ops

Excel proficiency

Data analysis

Public communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS/BBA)

Water Resources related major

Tools

ArcGIS / ESRI ArcMap

JD Edwards

Microsoft Office

Job description

The City of Arvada is seeking a Water Resources Analyst to support essential water supply operations, including raw water diversions, reservoir and dam stability, water rights administration, and emergency preparedness planning.

This role offers the opportunity to work in the field, collaborate with state and local agencies, and represent the City in irrigation ditch company matters while helping protect and manage Arvada’s water resources.

Essential Job Functions

• Identifies and conducts field operations and minor maintenance activities related to the City's raw water diversions, ensuring accurate measurement.
• Adjusts raw water diversions and raw water pumping operations as required in response to changes made by the State Engineer's Office to the river call.
• Updates and analyzes city water use data using Excel and other tools. Coordinate with other departments and resources to obtain necessary information.
• Represents the city at water supply stakeholder meetings involving state and local agencies. Serves on irrigation ditch company boards, represents the City in irrigation ditch company matters and participates in ditch company meetings.
• Identifies and performs field work to maintain raw water infrastructure in operable condition
• Acts as primary project manager and works with contractors and internal staff on field maintenance and infrastructure projects.
• Assists in the preparation and review of documentation relating to water court activities.
• Takes annual measurements, maintains historical records of dam stability readings, performs all dam-related work required by the State Engineer's Office and submits to the State Engineer's Office.
• Updates emergency preparedness plans for water supply city facilities as needed and submits to the State Engineer's Office.
• Maintains records of reservoir/dam stability and provides these records to appropriate entities.
• Assists the Water Resources Administrator with daily raw water operations and water accounting as needed.
• Acts as the point person within the City and with the State Engineer’s Office for reservoir/dam emergency preparedness plans and updates/distributes accordingly.
• Complete and submit required plans to the appropriate entities (e.g HB1051 reporting, Conservation Plans).
• Updates and analyzes city water use data using Excel and other tools.
• Travels to and attends team and organizational meetings, training, events and activities and appropriately and professionally represents the department.
• Requires occasional evening and weekend work.

Other Job Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of and experience with Colorado water law
• Strong knowledge of and experience with raw water field operations.
• Strong proficiency in working with Excel spreadsheets.
• Strong working knowledge of spreadsheet-based programs to track and maintain raw water resource data.
• Strong skills performing special studies related to water resources/water supply.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively and professionally with the public while doing field work.
• Strong ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing, to support organizational objectives and values, and interact with all levels of personnel within the city in a positive and cooperative manner.
• Strong ability to learn and use a variety of computer programs for data acquisition and management, including: GIS/ ESRI-ArcMap software, City modeling software, Utility Billing CIS, JD Edwards, and Microsoft Office products – Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
• Strong ability to work independently and effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously; the employee must be able to prioritize and manage time effectively to meet deadlines, communicate schedule changes, and appropriate/allocate time within the work hours available to meet deadlines
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

License & Certification

A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.

Education Degree

Bachelors Degree (BA, BS, BBA)

Education Major

Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Planning or a field directly related to water resources.

Education Required

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Work Experience Related

• 1 year of experience working with the State Engineer's Office.
• 2 years of experience working with Colorado ditch companies, including board membership.
• 1 year of experience creating Emergency Preparedness Plans.

Other Qualifications

Must pass a criminal background check and a driving record check, if required by the position.

Physical Demands

Moderate to considerable physical effort that includes working from ladders in awkward positions. Frequent use of light or medium weight objects (e.g., 25-50 lbs.) and use of medium weight tools.

Hazards

Marginal to moderate exposure to conditions that are unpredictable and may lead to injury.

Work Environment

Exposure to routine office noise and equipment.