DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

Hybrid: remote and 1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310 - Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary:  $55,000 - $75,000

Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

ADWR is seeking Water Resources Specialists, focusing on Active Management Area (AMA) and statewide water demand and supply, who are data-driven, creative, and passionate about water and natural resources. These positions will be part of the team responsible for development of water supply and demand assessments for each groundwater basin in Arizona. These positions will conduct research, data analyses, and policy analyses to inform the development of water supply and demand (agricultural, municipal, or industrial) estimates, scenarios, and projections included in the assessments. These positions will participate in complex, interdisciplinary projects that require deep collaboration, a willingness to learn and challenge assumptions, and an awareness of the sensitive nature of water issues.

The ideal candidate will have a genuine curiosity for environmental, natural resource, water and/or agricultural/industrial/municipal policy issues; and revel in data, data analysis, and research. The candidate will also enjoy asking questions and proposing ideas about water conservation, supply, demand, and their related issues, working collaboratively to discuss and challenge those ideas, and using data to find possible solutions.

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

Assist in the development of statewide supply and demand assessments for Arizona’s 51 groundwater basins in one of the following areas of specialty:

- Agricultural Demand-Industrial Demand

- Municipal Demand

- AMA Supply

- Statewide Demand

- Statewide Supply

• Lead the development of the methods to simulate and project supply or demand estimates at the groundwater basin, statewide, and/or sector (agricultural/industrial/municipal) level
• Lead the development of short and long-term supply and/or demand scenarios at the groundwater basin, statewide, and/or sector (agricultural/industrial/municipal) level
• Research impacts to supply and demand including, but not limited to, potential changes to socio-economic aspects, geologic conditions, climate change, supply availability, policies, and voluntary/regulatory conservation programs
• Research impacts to supply and demand specific to the characteristics of each unique groundwater basin
• Use data and analytical tools to quantify the impacts to supply or demand at the groundwater basin, statewide, and/or sector (agricultural/industrial/municipal) level
• Collaborate with other analysts to adapt estimation methods and scenarios to individual groundwater basins
• Collaborate and consult with ADWR staff of all levels and with diverse stakeholders to solicit input and feedback on high-profile and/or sensitive issues
• Prepare clear, well-constructed reports and presentations with recommendations that consider impacts across multiple water resource management programs and levels
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the history of water demand and supply at the groundwater basin, statewide, and/or sector
• (agricultural/industrial/municipal) level, including applicable laws, rules, statutes, and policies
  

Knowledge of:

• Water, natural resource, and/or agricultural/industrial/municipal policy and analysis
• Scenario planning, simulation, and forecasting of the supply and demand of water and/or other natural resources
• State of Arizona water resource statutes, rules, policies, procedures, and programs, including the Groundwater Management Act, Active Management Areas, Management Plans, Assured and Adequate Water Supply Program, and Recharge and Recovery Program
• Water supplies and their respective regulatory frameworks in Arizona, including groundwater, surface water, Colorado River water, and effluent
• Methods and techniques utilized in the agricultural/municipal/industrial sector related to water use and water conservation
• Agricultural/industrial/municipal water use trends and challenges in Arizona and related challenges in other western states
• Current concepts and practices in water resources planning, conservation, and management
• History of western water laws and policies
• General methods of research, data analysis, policy analysis, scenario planning, simulation, and forecasting
• Knowledge of coding language and advanced statistical or analytical tools is beneficial, but not required

Skills in:

• Analytical, statistical, and spatial methods to analyze water demand and supply data
• Development, organization, and maintenance of spreadsheets, databases, and statistical systems
• Research, writing technical reports, and preparing background information for scenario development and analysis
• Oral, written, and visual communication, especially effective communication of data analyses and complex statute, rules, and policies
• Use of technical software including Excel, ArcPro, PowerBi, and Access/SQL; skills in programs similar to R, GoldSim, or Mathematica are not required but would be an asset
• Use of Microsoft office tools such as Word and PowerPoint

Ability to:

• Think creatively about current and potential sources of supply for agricultural/industrial/municipal demand and impact resulting from external factors including changes to policy, statute, and/or climatic, geologic, and socioeconomic conditions
• Use computers to retrieve, organize, and present water resource management data
• Use analytical methods to organize and analyze water use and supply data
• Interpret existing water rules, policies, laws, and statutes and how they may differ in the future
• Collaborate closely with department and external staff with backgrounds in diverse disciplines
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, including agency staff, government officials, leaders in the regulated community, and the public   

Background and knowledge in the specialty of the Analyst position (Municipal, Agricultural, Industrial, Supply) is preferred but not required.

Candidate should have: at least seven years of professional level water resource management experience, or  Bachelor’s degree and five years professional experience in water resource management, or a Master’s degree and 3 years professional experience in water resource management or PhD and one year experience.

Candidates that do not meet these requirements may be considered for a Water Resources Specialist II position.

Applicable degrees may include planning, agricultural and/or natural resource management, environmental planning, agricultural and/or natural resource economics, or other related field.

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
  

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 12.17%.

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.