Groundwater Modeling Section Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Groundwater Modeling Section Manager oversees the Groundwater Modeling Unit within the Colorado River Management and Hydrologic Modeling Section of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The unit develops, updates, and maintains ADWR’s regional groundwater flow models, which inform policy, regulations, rulemaking, guidelines, and statutorily mandated programs. The manager sets modeling priorities in consultation with Department leadership; plans model development and updates; establishes and improves standard work, best practices, and review procedures; and oversees, mentors, and guides modeling staff. The role provides technical direction to professional hydrologists, geologists, and engineers, and may contribute to hydrologic evaluations, process-improvement plans, rulemaking, and planning outside the unit. The position may represent the Department at meetings, hearings, conferences, and negotiations; present technical projects and issues; coordinate technical support for rulemaking; and brief Department leadership on hydrologic matters. The role is hybrid, with a current requirement to work at least two days per week at the ADWR Phoenix office. Remote work, when approved, must be performed within Arizona unless an exception is authorized.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Geology, or a related technical field, with at least 8 years of experience in groundwater hydrology and related geologic work; or a master’s degree with 6 years of related experience; or a Ph.D. with 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.
Knowledge and experience developing and using groundwater models with USGS MODFLOW.
Knowledge and experience with 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 full project lifecycle.
Knowledge and experience managing direct reports.
Knowledge of Arizona water-resources management, including ADWR’s statutory role in AMAs, INAs, and rural areas, and of how legislative and executive processes affect water management and ADWR’s mission and functions.
Skill using MODFLOW and ArcGIS or equivalent, and Python, R, or other scripting tools 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; leading technical teams; process improvement; problem-solving; and organizational planning and management of professional staff.
Strong communication skills, including public speaking, technical writing, and communication with diverse stakeholder groups.
Ability to lead groundwater-modeling projects and hydrologic studies while ensuring technical quality.
Ability to supervise and mentor staff and support their professional development.
Ability to manage concurrent projects, establish priorities, and adapt to changing needs.
Ability to analyze and interpret technical reports and develop sound recommendations for Department leadership.
Ability to provide technical oversight at all stages of groundwater modeling and collaborate with internal and external staff from diverse disciplines.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly in formal and informal settings.
Possess and retain 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 short- and long-range development and updates of ADWR’s groundwater models.
Develop standard work and best practices for groundwater modeling.
Implement review procedures to ensure modeling work products are defensible, replicable, and scientifically sound.
Oversee, direct, mentor, and support the professional development of modeling staff.
Set modeling priorities in consultation with Department leadership.
Provide technical expertise and oversight for groundwater modeling projects and hydrologic studies throughout their lifecycle.
Direct staff activities involving modeling, hydrologic and geologic investigations, and related needs.
Manage multiple concurrent projects, establish priorities, and adapt to changing needs.
Attend and represent the Department at meetings, hearings, conferences, and negotiations, and give presentations on technical projects or issues.
Provide and coordinate technical support for rulemaking and support modeling-related issues and applications across the Department.
Analyze technical reports and develop recommendations for the Director and Department leadership.
Participate as needed in hydrologic evaluations, process-improvement plans, rulemaking, oversight, and planning outside the Groundwater Modeling Unit.
Communicate complex hydrologic information to the public, Department staff, government agencies, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
Prepare or brief Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors, and the Director on hydrologic aspects of significant problems and programs.

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; enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.
Remote-work options may support work/life balance, job satisfaction, and productivity; remote work is subject to management approval and may be discontinued.