WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST 3 - (Adjudications)

Internal Careers; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness plans

LinkedIn Learning

Employee discounts

Remote work option

Job summary

The State of Arizona’s Department of Water Resources seeks a Water Resources Specialist 3 in the Adjudications Division to support water rights investigations and hydrological reporting for the Gila and Little Colorado River adjudications and Indian Water Settlements.

The role blends field knowledge with GIS analysis, map production, and data interpretation. Remote work may be possible within Arizona; a minimum two days on-site per week is required.

Qualifications

• Seven years of professional water resources experience.
• Experience with land ownership, water use, and hydrological reporting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigatory projects requiring multi-disciplinary expertise.
• Collect geospatial data, process data, produce maps, analyze imagery.
• Research landownership changes to support investigations.
• Draft technical reports and summaries for court use.
• Serve as an expert witness in contested cases.

Skills

Geography & hydrology

GIS analysis

Data interpretation

Technical reports

Public interaction

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

ArcGIS/ArcPro

Geodatabases

Job description

DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

The mission of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) 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. The Adjudications Division is seeking a Water Resources Specialist 3 to join our team!

Water Resources Specialist 3

Adjudications Division

WWW.AZWATER.GOV

Job Location:

Hybrid:1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $55,000 - $75,000

Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open until Filled

Job Summary:

The Adjudication Division provides support to the Arizona General Stream Adjudication Court and Special Master as described in the Arizona Revised Statutes § 45-256(A).
This position will work closely with all Adjudication Division staff and will be part of an investigation team that analyzes water right claims and completes hydrological reports to aid in the Gila and Little Colorado River Adjudications and Indian Water Settlements.

Ideal candidates will have a background in water resources. Additional relevant experience may include GIS data collection and analysis. The ability to think analytically and convey technical concepts are essential functions of this position.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.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:

• Leading investigatory projects of a complex, sensitive, and visible nature that require multi-disciplinary expertise.

• Collecting geospatial data, accurately processing and managing data, interpreting and producing maps, and analyzing aerial imagery.

• Researching landownership changes and water uses independently to support investigations.

• Making recommendations involving water resources management issues and applying advanced hydrological principles to practical situations.

• Drafting technical reports, summaries, correspondence, and other documents.

• Serving as an expert witness for contested cases or other reports in front of the Adjudication Court.

• Interacting with the public, other governmental entities, and other ADWR employees in a professional manner.

• Providing accurate and efficient customer service to internal and external customers or partners.

• Identifying problems and proposing solutions to continuously improve processes.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Principles of physical geography, hydrology and/or hydrogeology and the ability to analyze and quantify cultural water demands including agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses.
• GIS mapping software including ESRI ArcGIS/ArcPro, mapping tools, cartographic principles, geographic projections, data sources and formats, information analysis, relational databases, and geodatabases.
• Hydrological principles, particularly those related to surface water. Knowledge of the behavior and occurrence of water in nature.
• ADWR’s policies and procedures, the statutes and rules governing Arizona's General Stream Adjudications, and the legal process to determine water rights.
• Concepts, principles, information sources and research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management

Skills in:

• Analyzing and interpreting hydraulic data, maps and drawings based on field data, aerial imagery, land surveys, and other information sources.
• Conveying technical subjects to a non-technical audience and presenting a concept in a concise and organized fashion in both written and oral formats.
• Preparing timely reports and deliverables involving water resources issues of highly complex, sensitive and visible nature.
• Process improvement and problem-solving identification and analysis, utilizing LEAN principles.

Ability to:

• Work well under pressure and produce detailed technical reports involving complex subject matter within court directed time frames.
• Interpret geologic, hydrologic and topographic maps and reports.
• Communicate effectively and present technical data to a variety of audiences.
• Organize, prioritize, and manage diverse technical projects.
• Understand, effectively interpret, and communicate complex statutes, policies, and procedures.

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: Seven (7) years of professional level water resource management experience; OR
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and five (5) years professional level water resources management experience; OR
Master’s degree in a related field and three (3) years professional level water resources management experience; OR
Doctorate in a related field and one (1) year of professional level water resource management experience.

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:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• 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 [phone] 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.