Water Resource Specialist

City of Farmington • Farmington, NM

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Farmington is seeking a Water Resource Specialist to join the Community Works/Water Administration department. This full-time position, located at the West Annex, 805 Municipal Drive (2nd Floor), involves working under the supervision of the Water/Wastewater CIP Administrator. The role is responsible for critical aspects of water resource management, including the development and revision of the City's 40-Year Water Plan, creating a Water Conservation Plan, and administering the water rights portfolio. The specialist will also perform technical research, assist in the design and construction oversight of public works projects, and coordinate with engineering consultants. This position requires excellent customer service skills and the ability to work independently and supervise staff as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology or closely related field and two (2) years experience in the planning, development, conservation, administration, and management of surface water resource; or a Master's degree in civil engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology or closely related field may be substituted for two years of the experience requirement.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.
• Comprehensive knowledge of water rights laws and regulations pertaining to surface water resource development, administration and management.
• Considerable knowledge of State of New Mexico Environment Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations and permit requirements and interstate stream compacts and applicable U.S. and New Mexico Supreme Court decrees.
• Knowledge of mathematics (area calculations), hydrology (flow and volume calculations), land surveying principles and techniques (legal descriptions), aerial photography and map interpretation and geographic information systems.
• Skill in performing specialized engineering investigations.
• Extensive skills in writing technical reports and general correspondence.
• Working knowledge of personal computers, word processing and spreadsheet software, and modeling techniques.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with supervisors, employees and general public on matters related to water resource issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other City personnel and the public.
• Skill in maintaining positive public relations while responding to realistic concerns under stressful circumstances.
• Ability to work under stress and handle stressful situations.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions.
• Graduation from a college or university with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, water resource engineering, hydrology, or a closely related field is required for the (L) pay grade.
• An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate is required for the (M) pay grade.
• Registration as a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) is required for the (O) pay grade.

Nice To Haves

• Strong preference for a bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited college or university.
• An EIT through the State of New Mexico is strongly preferred.
• Must acquire EIT certificate through the State of New Mexico within 2 years.
• A PE through the State of New Mexico is strongly preferred.
• Must acquire PE license through the State of New Mexico within 2 years.
• Being New Mexico Certified Flood Plain Manager is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Works under the supervision of the Water/Wastewater CIP Administrator.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, officials, and the public using excellent customer service skills.
• Operates a motor vehicle for departmental business.
• Works within the Water and Wastewater Utilities Division, responsible for raw water supply system components.
• Responsible for the development, yearly review, and revision of the City's 40-Year Water Plan, including inventorying water rights, documenting usage, and projecting future demands.
• Responsible for the development of a Water Conservation Plan, including inventorying current policies, identifying future measures, and outlining implementation strategies.
• Administers and maintains the water rights portfolio, ensuring compliance with New Mexico state statutes, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Performs technical research for capital improvement projects or as requested by other departments.
• Assists in preparing plans, designs, and directs construction of public works improvement projects (streets, sewer, water, storm, irrigation systems).
• Completes tasks with little to no supervision and supervises other staff as assigned.
• Coordinates and oversees design of projects performed by consulting engineering firms.
• Works with and directs engineering consultants and City purchasing staff in bid and contract preparation and award.
• Facilitates pre-bid and pre-construction meetings.
• Performs inspections, designs, plans, maps, profiles, and prepares specifications under supervision.
• Determines applicable codes, regulations, and requirements for assigned projects.
• Performs technical research and economic analyses for capital improvement projects.
• Writes technical solutions for capital improvement projects.
• Communicates progress and activities to the Water/Wastewater Administrator and the Public Works Director.
• May serve on employee committees as assigned.
• May supervise interns or temporary employees as assigned.
• Reviews plats for compliance with codes and standards and recommends changes.
• Reviews building permits for drainage and infrastructure concerns.

Benefits

• This position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.
• Extensive background checks required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level