Groundwater Modeling Section Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

6d•$110,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Groundwater Modeling Section Manager oversees the Groundwater Modeling Unit within the Colorado River Management and Hydrologic Modeling Section. The unit develops, updates, and maintains ADWR’s regional groundwater flow models. The manager sets modeling priorities in consultation with Department leadership, guides and mentors modeling staff, and defines and improves modeling processes and procedures. The role also involves public meetings and technical presentations, coordinating technical support for rulemaking, and supporting modeling-related issues and applications across the Department. The manager administers the unit, including short- and long-range planning for groundwater models, developing standard work and best practices, implementing review procedures for defensible, replicable, scientifically sound work products, and overseeing modeling staff. The models inform policy, regulations, rulemaking, and guidelines for statutorily mandated programs. The manager provides technical direction to professional hydrologists, geologists, and engineers working on modeling, hydrologic and geological investigations, and related needs. The position may also contribute to hydrologic evaluations, process improvement, rulemaking, oversight, and planning outside the unit. It may represent the Department at meetings, hearings, conferences, and negotiations, and prepare or brief Department leadership on hydrologic aspects of significant problems and programs. The role is hybrid, with a minimum of two on-site days per week at the ADWR Phoenix office. Remote work may be available within Arizona based on business needs and performance measures; remote work is a management option and may be discontinued.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Geology, or a related technical field, plus at least 8 years of experience in groundwater hydrology and related geologic work; or a master’s degree and 6 years of related experience; or a Ph.D. and 4 years of related experience.
Registration in Arizona as a professional Geologist or Engineer, or ability to obtain registration through comity, if available; otherwise, professional certification through an accredited institution is required.
Possess and retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license.
Knowledge and experience developing and using groundwater models with USGS MODFLOW.
Knowledge and experience in hydrogeologic analyses involving groundwater models.
Knowledge and experience with software supporting model development and large-dataset analysis, such as GIS and Python.
Knowledge of project management principles and techniques across the project life cycle, from conceptualization through delivery.
Experience managing direct reports.
Knowledge of Arizona water resources management, including ADWR’s role in statutory requirements in AMAs, INAs, and rural areas.
Knowledge of how legislative and executive processes affect water management practices and ADWR’s mission and functions.
Skill using MODFLOW and ArcGIS or equivalent, as well as Python, R, or other scripting to facilitate workflows.
Skill designing and conducting groundwater modeling investigations and hydrologic analyses to address water-quantity, planning, and management challenges.
Skill applying hydrologic principles and methods to technical problems.
Skills in technical team leadership, process improvement, problem-solving, and organizational planning and management of professional staff.
Effective communication with diverse stakeholders, public speaking, and technical writing.
Ability to supervise and mentor staff, manage concurrent projects, provide technical oversight throughout modeling, collaborate across disciplines, interpret technical reports, and communicate complex information clearly.
Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) as a newly hired State employee.

Responsibilities

Administer and oversee the Groundwater Modeling Unit and its modeling staff.
Plan the development and updating of ADWR groundwater models over short- and long-term horizons.
Set modeling priorities in consultation with Department leadership.
Develop standard work, best practices, and improved modeling processes and procedures.
Implement review procedures to ensure work products are defensible, replicable, and scientifically sound.
Provide technical direction, oversight, mentoring, and professional development support to staff.
Lead groundwater modeling projects and hydrologic studies and ensure technical quality.
Direct staff activities relating to groundwater modeling, hydrologic and geological investigations, and related needs.
Support modeling-related issues and applications throughout the Department.
Provide and coordinate technical support for rulemaking and contribute to hydrologic evaluations and process-improvement plans.
Represent the Department at meetings, hearings, conferences, and negotiations, and present technical projects or issues.
Analyze technical reports and develop recommendations for Department leadership regarding groundwater modeling matters.
Prepare or brief Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors, and the Director on hydrologic aspects of important problems and programs.
Manage multiple projects, establish priorities, and adapt to changing needs.
Communicate technical information to the public, Department staff, government agencies, elected officials, and other stakeholders.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans.
10 paid holidays per year.
Deferred compensation plan.
Credit union membership.
Wellness plans.
LinkedIn Learning membership.
Tuition reimbursement.
Employee discounts.
Arizona State Retirement System participation; enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.
Paid parental leave pilot program is referenced.