DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

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

Phoenix, AZ 85007

 Hybrid work schedule (some work in the office and some work from home) is available for this position.

Salary: $55,000 - $75,000

Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

ADWR is seeking a Water Resources Specialist to focus on Active Management Area (AMA) Conservation Programs data. This position will be responsible for supporting the data collection, compilation, and analysis activities of the Industrial, Municipal, and Agricultural conservation programs teams of the Active Management Areas (AMAs) Section.

The ideal candidate will have a genuine curiosity for environmental, natural resource, water and/or agricultural/industrial/municipal policy issues; will approach data analysis with creativity, by continually asking questions and by continually seeking to improve processes; and will thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment where assumptions are constantly being re-evaluated.  The candidate will also enjoy discussing concepts and proposing ideas related to water resources and will work collaboratively to analyze and challenge those ideas, and using data to find possible solutions.

The ideal candidate will improve and develop data related processes for the conservation programs team, work deeply with the conservation programs team to help with the data quality and analytics per conservation program, collaborate with the AMA Data Administrator regarding database and data management issues, and work to update and improve data visualizations and Power BI dashboards with the conservation programs team.

The ideal candidate will seek to have an accurate understanding of applicable laws, rules, statutes, policies, and procedures in use by ADWR and will be skilled in communicating complex or technical matters to the regulated community and/or interested parties.

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.

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.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Assisting the Industrial, Municipal, and Agricultural, Conservation Program staff with development of data strategies, quality control, and safeguarding all of the data received
• Analyzing and visualizing data obtained from Annual Water Withdrawal and Use Reports for all the conservation programs
• Ensuring data and analysis requests from the leadership team are fulfilled quickly, accurately, and clearly
• Leading data transparency initiatives, including creating data dashboards and analytics
• Coordinating the compilation of numeric and non-numeric data from the AMA Industrial, Municipal, and Agricultural Conservation program to fill public records requests
• Improving and further developing methods to track and analyze water use in AMAs and INAs
• Researching and developing methods to quantify the impacts of AMA conservation programs (agricultural/industrial/municipal)
• Developing a broad understanding of ADWR programs, how data is shared across programs, and how data in each program impacts other programs.
• Researching and developing methods to verify water use data, to estimate water uses where there are data gaps, and to more easily identify data quality issues.
• Collaborate with ADWR staff of all levels and diverse stakeholders to solicit input and feedback on high-profile and/or sensitive issues
• Prepare clear, well-constructed reports and presentations with analyses and recommendations considering impacts across multiple water resource management programs and levels
• Other duties related to the AMA programs and processes may be assigned as needed

Knowledge of:

• State of Arizona water resource statutes, rules, policies, procedures, and programs, including the Groundwater Management Act.  In particular, those sections of the Act pertaining to the Active Management Areas, Management Plans, groundwater rights and permits, annual reporting requirements, and AMA conservation programs, as described in the Chapter 4 through Chapter 6 of the Management Plans, as well as the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Program and the Recharge and Recovery ProgramWater supplies and their respective regulatory frameworks in Arizona, including groundwater, surface water, Colorado River water, and effluent
• Information sources and research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management
• Methods and techniques utilized in the agricultural/municipal/industrial sector related to water use and water conservation
• Advanced data science and analytics techniques, including scenario planning, simulation, and forecasting
• Agricultural/industrial/municipal water use trends and challenges in Arizona and related trends and challenges in other western states
• The occurrence, behavior, and significance of water in nature
• Environmental, social, and economic aspects of water supply and utilization
• Current concepts and practices in water resource management
• Water, natural resource, and/or agricultural/industrial/municipal policy and analysis
• Knowledge of coding language is beneficial

Skills and interest in:

• Statistical and spatial methods to analyze water data
• Use of technical software including Excel, Access, ArcGIS Pro, and PowerBI; skills in programs similar to Access, SQL, R, GoldSim, and Mathematica or other software to compile, organize, analyze, and interpret water resource management data are not required but would be an asset
• Data analysis and quality control
• Creation, organization, and maintenance of spreadsheets, databases, and statistical systems
• Performing detail-oriented tasks accurately and efficiently with minimal supervision
• Prioritization and delegation of multiple short and long-term tasks/projects
• Oral, written, and visual communication, especially effective communication of data analyses and complex statute, rules, and policies
• Use of Microsoft office tools such as Word and PowerPoint

Ability to:

• Retrieve, organize, and present water resource management data
• Analyze a situation, identify problem area(s), propose solutions, and assist in implementation of those solutions
• Research and process requests and inquiries to provide accurate and efficient customer service
• Apply techniques to study water resource management issues impacting the State of Arizona
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, including agency staff, government officials, leaders in the regulated community, and the public.

Seven (7) years professional experience in water management, data science and analytics, or professional experience, or Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years professional experience in water management, data science and analytics, or professional experience, or a Master’s degree and three (3) years of professional experience.

Applicable degrees may include data science, data analytics, finance, mathematics, natural resource economics, or other related field

Agricultural background and knowledge is preferred but not required.

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

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).

The Arizona 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 
• Flexible work schedule

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

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement system (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment. The current contribution rate is 12.29%.

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.