Water Resources Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Water Resources Manager is a Wildlife Specialist Senior in the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Wildlife Management Division, Habitat Branch, based in Phoenix. Under the direction of the Land and Water Program Supervisor, this position is part of the Department’s realty program and investigates water rights and researches water-resource values associated with real-property acquisitions and other Department properties, including wildlife areas, shooting ranges, fish hatcheries, and administrative offices. The position may allow remote work within Arizona, depending on business needs and continued achievement of performance measures. The manager researches, evaluates, and helps protect surface- and groundwater rights associated with Commission-owned lands. The role also assesses water-use proposals and projects, maintains and analyzes water-right and water-use records, supports legal and administrative processes, and coordinates with Department staff, government agencies, businesses, and the public. The position may serve as the Land and Water Program Supervisor when assigned during the supervisor’s absence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in wildlife or biological science, geoscience, hydrology, water resources management, or a closely related field.
Possess and maintain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.
Knowledge of state laws, rules, and regulations concerning land acquisitions and dispositions, surface- and groundwater rights, leases, easements, and rights-of-way.
Knowledge of appraisals, title reports, boundary surveys, water-right information, environmental site assessments, project design and layout, maps, and water-resource research methods.
Knowledge of real estate, water-resource planning and management, federal and state water-resource laws and regulations, and Arizona water-rights administration.
Knowledge of Arizona Game and Fish laws and Arizona water laws, policies, procedures, and regulations; legal procedures for water rights, land transfers, and land management; Arizona flora and fauna and their ecological support systems; scientific data collection and technical report writing; GIS mapping; and computer data-management systems.
Ability to apply a multidisciplinary approach to identify and resolve complex and sensitive water-right or water-resource management issues.
Ability to use information and models to organize, analyze, and interpret water-resource management data, and to conduct field water-monitoring investigations.
Ability to evaluate water rights and water-use proposals for fish and wildlife management.
Ability to use computers to manage water-rights and resource-management data, with strong attention to detail and ability to work with large databases.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, prioritize activities, set goals, and remain self-motivated.
Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects and deadlines; coordinate with Department staff, other government agencies, customers, and the public.
Strong research, numerical and field-survey data analysis, personal computer, GIS mapping, oral and written communication, interpersonal, flexibility, and task-prioritization skills.
Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills; ability to communicate and negotiate effectively regarding contracts and land-use or water-right documents.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government and business officials, community leaders, and the public.
Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), as required for newly hired State employees.

Nice To Haves

Degree in hydrology, water law, or water-resources management.

Responsibilities

Plan and conduct water-rights investigations for property acquisition, disposal, and management.
Conduct or coordinate due diligence and feasibility evaluations of water rights for acquisition and disposal proposals.
Coordinate biological evaluations of water acquisition and disposal proposals.
Coordinate preparation of documents to acquire, file, and protect water rights, including through measurement of water use.
Research surface- and groundwater rights and related issues associated with Commission-owned lands.
Perfect and protect Commission water rights and claims with the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the courts; help defend against legal challenges and competing claims; and prepare testimony for water-right adjudication proceedings.
Provide technical support for the Commission’s water-rights program.
Evaluate proposals for new and existing water-use and monitoring projects on Commission properties, including habitat improvements, monitoring equipment, shooting-range development, leases, disposals, and rights-of-way.
Gather and evaluate water-resource information to determine compatibility with Department programs, prepare recommendations for management review, and support Commission approval when necessary.
Review water-related projects on Commission-owned and managed properties through the EA Checklist process.
Maintain, store, and provide Commission water-rights and water-use or measurement information; retrieve, compile, analyze, and interpret related data.
Attend meetings with Department staff and personnel from federal, state, local, and private-sector organizations.
Facilitate annual Department payments for water-use assessments on Commission properties.
Serve as Land and Water Program Supervisor when assigned during the supervisor’s absence.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

13 days of vacation
12 sick days
10 paid holidays
Tuition reimbursement program
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, with enrollment eligibility effective after 27 weeks of employment
Health care options
Vision care
Dental care
Pharmacy benefits
Flexible spending account options
Life insurance options
Long-term disability insurance options
Short-term disability insurance options
Paid parental leave program
Additional benefit programs