DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

Address: Hybrid - 1110 W. Washington St. Suite #310

Phoenix, AZ 85007 

Salary:  $50,000 - $60,000

Grade: 20

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

We are seeking a Water Resources Specialist 1 to join the AMA Water Section. This position is responsible for coordinating the Groundwater User's Advisory Councils (GUACs) for each of the Active Management Areas (AMAs), as well as processing Irrigation Grandfathered Right (IGFR) conveyance applications.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: Coordinating GUAC requests for data and other information; leading GUAC meeting scheduling and coordination, including complying with documentation requirements under Arizona’s Open Meeting Law; presenting program updates at GUAC meetings; Manage GUAC web page design and content creation; assistance with mandatory conservation program implementation; Coordinate with Conveyance Specialist to process conveyance applications as needed; other tasks as needed.

A hybrid work schedule (up to 3 days per week working remotely) is available for this position

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 leading and/or assisting with :

GUAC member scheduling, agenda development and meeting

• Design and content creation
• Analyzes, reviews, verifies, and enters Annual Water Withdrawal & Use Reports data
• Coordinate with Conveyance Specialist to process conveyance applications, including training new staff how to complete conveyances
• Other duties related to the AMA programs and processes may be assigned as needed
• Coordinate GUAC requests for data and other information; Manage GUAC web page

Duties included in IGFR conveyance processing include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing, processing and verifying groundwater right conveyance applications;
• Reviewing, inputting, analyzing, and interpreting water resources data;
• Providing technical assistance and resources to customers via phone, emails and face-to-face meetings;
• Updating, analyzing and correcting GIS databases and maps related to conveyances of groundwater rights;
• Assisting with the annual water withdrawal & use report efforts;
• Writing and revising internal documents that reflect the section's requirements and procedures for internal users;
• Assisting with compliance processes for the section including tracking incoming applications and completing Licensing Timeframe Reports;
• Processing financial deposits and tracking time for billing purposes.

Knowledge of:

• The nature and occurrence of surface water and groundwater, specifically as it relates to the hydrology of Arizona
• The ecological, hydrological, engineering, and socio-economic aspects of water usage and water supply
• Current concepts and practices in water resource management and conservation
• Department policies and procedures as well as the statutes and rules pertaining to water resources management Information sources, research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management
• Public policy management and practice Statewide water resource management issues
• Current State and Federal water resource management laws and regulations, including water rights administration, annual reporting requirements, and major water use sectors (municipal, industrial, and agriculture)
• GIS and ArcMap; accessing online county GIS maps and recorded documents
• Groundwater Code, especially pertaining to groundwater rights and permits and annual reporting requirements
• 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
• Current laws and regulations regarding water supply and utilization in Arizona
• Statewide water resource management issues
• Database structure and organization
• Information sources and research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management
• Deeds, legal descriptions and cadastral locations

Skills and interest in:

• Working well within a team environment, including establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within ADWR, other governmental entities, private and public sectors
• Interacting with members of the regulated community, requiring careful exercise of independent judgment, tact, and diplomacy
• Coordinating diverse groups with respect to their schedules and other needs
• Leading public meetings both virtually and in person
• Data entry
• Effective written and oral communication.
• Performing detail-oriented tasks accurately and efficiently with minimal supervision
• Applying a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate complex, sensitive, and visible water resource management issues and prepare timely documents
• Researching, reading, analyzing, and interpreting water resource management and related documents
• Using Excel, and other software to compile, organize, analyze, and interpret water resource management data
• Assisting with the coordination of projects and collaborating with Department staff, other agencies, and possibly the regulated public
• Public speaking and possibly presenting complex concepts and materials so they are understandable to diverse audiences

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with the public, in both written and oral form
• Facilitate projects with other ADWR staff, other governmental agencies, and the regulated public
• Compile, analyze and interpret water resource management data from a variety of sources including calculations, observations and evaluation of historical records, maps, aerial photography, and census information
• Ensure adherence to Department policies, rules and procedures and State and Federal Statutes and rules
• Interpret and explain Department policies, rules and procedures and State and Federal statutes and rules
• Prepare reports/recommendations encompassing multiple, interrelated, and sensitive/highly visible water resource management issues.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with various levels of governmental and regulated business officials, community leaders and the public
• Coordinating, prioritizing, and organizing multiple projects simultaneously

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

4 years professional experience in data management or records retention, or Bachelor’s degree and 2 years professional experience in data management or records retention, or a Master’s degree.

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 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 schedules

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.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. 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 12.00%.

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.