Groundwater Modeling Section Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is seeking a Groundwater Modeling Section Manager for the Colorado River Management and Hydrologic Modeling Section. The position oversees the Groundwater Modeling Unit, which 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 manager plans how groundwater models will be developed and updated, establishes standard work and best practices, implements review procedures to ensure technically sound and replicable work products, and oversees professional hydrologists, geologists, and engineers. ADWR’s models inform policy, regulations, rulemaking, guidelines, and the administration of statutorily mandated programs. The manager may also contribute to hydrologic evaluations, process improvement, rulemaking, oversight, and planning outside the unit. The position provides technical support for rulemaking and modeling-related issues and applications across the Department. It may represent ADWR at meetings, hearings, conferences, and negotiations; present technical projects or issues to the public; and brief Department leadership on hydrologic matters. The work location is hybrid, with at least two days per week presently required onsite at the ADWR office in Phoenix. Remote work, when permitted, must be performed within Arizona unless an exception is authorized in advance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Geology, or a related technical field, and 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 PhD and 4 years of related experience.
Registration in Arizona as a professional Geologist or Engineer, or the ability to obtain registration through comity, if available; if registration is not available, professional certification through an accredited institution is required.
Knowledge and experience developing and using groundwater models with USGS MODFLOW.
Knowledge and experience conducting hydrogeologic analyses involving groundwater models.
Knowledge of 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.
Experience managing direct reports.
Knowledge of water resources management in Arizona, including ADWR’s statutory responsibilities 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 an equivalent, and Python, R, or other scripting to facilitate workflows.
Skill in designing and conducting groundwater modeling investigations and hydrologic analyses addressing water quantity, planning, and management challenges.
Skill applying hydrologic principles and methods to technical problems.
Skill leading technical teams, improving processes, and solving problems.
Skill in organizational planning and management of professional staff.
Strong public-speaking and technical-writing skills, including communication with diverse stakeholder groups.
Ability to supervise and mentor staff, manage multiple projects, set priorities, analyze technical reports, make sound recommendations, and communicate complex information to the public and stakeholders.
Possess and maintain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license.
Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) as a newly hired State employee.

Responsibilities

Administer the management responsibilities of the Groundwater Modeling Unit.
Plan the short- and long-term development and updating of ADWR’s groundwater models.
Develop standard work and best practices for groundwater modeling.
Implement review procedures to ensure work products are defensible, replicable, and scientifically sound.
Oversee, guide, and mentor modeling staff, including professional development.
Direct staff activities involving modeling, hydrological and geological investigations, and related needs.
Lead groundwater modeling projects and hydrologic studies while ensuring technical quality.
Provide technical oversight throughout all stages of groundwater modeling.
Set modeling priorities in consultation with Department leadership.
Provide and coordinate technical support for rulemaking and support modeling-related issues and applications across the Department.
Participate in hydrologic evaluations, process improvement plans, rulemaking, oversight, and planning activities outside the Groundwater Modeling Unit as needed.
Represent the Department at meetings, hearings, conferences, and negotiations, and present technical projects or issues.
Prepare or brief Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors, and the Director on hydrologic aspects of important problems and programs.
Manage concurrent projects, establish priorities, and adapt to changing needs.
Analyze technical reports and develop recommendations for Department leadership on groundwater modeling matters.
Collaborate with Department and external staff from diverse disciplines.

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 (ASRS) participation, with enrollment eligibility effective after 27 weeks of employment
Potential remote work schedule options