Hydrogeologist Associate (Surface Water)

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

8d•$70,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The mission of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is to safeguard the public's health, safety, and economic welfare by protecting, conserving, and enhancing Arizona's water supplies in a bold, thoughtful, and innovative manner. We are seeking an experienced Hydrogeologist Associate to join the Surface Water Team. This position is responsible for providing technical support for the processing, expediting and approving and/or rejecting surface water right applications and claims, with an emphasis on instream flow and sever and transfer applications. Responsible for ensuring adherence of surface water Department policies, rules, procedures and State and Federal statutes. This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week is required. 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.

Requirements

Current concepts and practices used in water resource planning and management
Department policies and procedures and State surface water statutes, rules and direction regarding managing the State's water resources, including current and proposed management plans
Information sources, research methods and techniques utilized in water resource management
Agricultural practices as they relate to livestock and irrigation and the methods used to quantity water needs for different uses of water
Streamflow measurement techniques and the statistical analysis of stream flow data
Geomorphology as it relates to streamflow, floodplains, erosion and sediment transportation
Knowledge of the design of dams, ditches, pipelines, canal irrigation systems and reservoirs
Preparing written and oral reports/recommendations for implementing/impacting multiple water resource management programs; investigating/resolving water resource management issues of a highly complex, sensitive and visible nature
Establishing, interacting and maintaining effective working relationships with Public and State and Federal agencies; responding to oral and written inquiries.
Coordinating multi-disciplinary projects impacting water resource management program areas
Identification, evaluation and interpretation of the design, integrity and effectiveness of structures constructed to divert, transport, capture or store water
Gathering field data using surveying techniques and GPS technology and software applications for field use
Researching maps, reports and documents and in gathering needed information to evaluate and process applications and generate reports.
Being a team leader, including training and supervising of lower level professional staff regarding procedures/techniques to be used, quality of results expected and projected timelines, goal and objectives
Interpret/explain and ensure compliance with State and Federal surface water statutes, rules and Department policies and procedures
Compile, analyze and interpret water resource management data from a variety of sources and databases, including field measurement, calculation, observation and evaluations of historical records, maps, aerial photographs and remotely sensed data output, Department policies, rules and procedure and State and Federal Statutes and rules and from the Public, State and Federal entities
Identify water sources, directional flow paths of water sources and the interaction between groundwater and surface water
Conduct fieldwork independently statewide and often in remote areas
Design and modify field data collection and measurement techniques for every project as may be required
Use tape measures, surveyor wheels, compasses, hand levels, surveyor rods and cameras
Determine the volume of tanks and reservoirs, stream discharge, depth of water, heights, ground surface elevations and distances.
Identify opportunities for use of solutions to improve efficiency and reduce waste
Balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks
Build strong relationships inside and outside the organization
Apply research methods/techniques to study water resource management issues impacting the State of Arizona.
Ten (10) years of professional level water resource management experience; OR Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field and eight (8) years of professional level water resources management experience; OR Master’s degree or higher in a related field and six (6) years of professional level water resource management experience; OR Doctorate in a related field and four (4) years of professional level water resource management experience.
Possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in policy, planning, and regulation is preferred.

Responsibilities

Researching, compiling, analyzing, interpreting and integrating water resource management data through a variety of sources and other program areas.
Participate in complex inter-departmental projects that requires multi-disciplinary expertise and written and oral reports and letters.
Serve as a team leader for field inspections/investigations of water resource rights/claims to ensure correct procedures and techniques are used, quality of results expected and project time-lines, goals and objectives are met.
Serve as a project leader/liaison for investigating and resolving water resource management issues of a complex, sensitive and visible nature and preparation of reports with recommendations that may impact multiple water resource management program areas.
Provide technical support related to groundwater/surface water interactions and provide hydrologic reports that will be used in the processing of applicable surface water applications.
Act as an agency technical witness in hearings.
Assist in the development and maintenance of Department databases.
Assist in the development, maintenance, updating, imaging and preserving of Department records.
Assist lower level professional staff regarding procedure and techniques to be used, quality of results expected and project time lines, goal and objectives.