WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST 3

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

2d•$55,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is a key component of the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Section, with a primary focus on Certificates of Assured Water Supply (CAWS) and related applications. Working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, this position is responsible for processing, analyzing, and documenting applications to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. The role evaluates hydrologic studies, demand analyses, and legal documentation for consistency with technical criteria and program policies and prepares clear and defensible determinations. Additional duties include reviewing program-related annual reports, supporting related application types such as Water Reports, and contributing to projects that require coordination across multiple program areas. This position requires strong technical analysis skills, accurate processing of complex data, and a working knowledge of departmental policies, the Arizona Administrative Code, and Arizona Revised Statutes governing water supplies in Arizona. 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

Arizona water resource management laws and regulations, including Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) and Arizona Administrative Code (AAC) related to the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs
Procedures and requirements for processing water supply applications, particularly Certificates of Assured Water Supply and related application types
Principles of groundwater hydrology, water budgets, and methods used to evaluate water supply and demand
State and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to water resources and management
Processes and procedures associated with working within a regulatory environment
Statutes, rules, policies, and procedures related to the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs
Quality control practices for technical reports, data management, and regulatory compliance
Information sources, research methods, and techniques used in water resources management
Clear, well-organized, and concise written and verbal communication
Drafting, reviewing, and editing technical reports, determinations, and correspondence
Researching, interpreting, and analyzing regulatory, legal, and technical documents
Compiling, organizing, and interpreting water resource data, including application materials and hydrologic analyses
Applying basic hydrologic and regulatory concepts to evaluate water supply applications
Identifying problems in application materials and recommending solutions consistent with statutes, rules, and policies
Managing multiple assignments at the same time while meeting deadlines
Interpret and apply Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), Arizona Administrative Code (AAC), and ADWR policies related to Assured and Adequate Water Supply determinations
Review and evaluate technical, legal, and administrative information in water supply applications for accuracy and consistency
Prepare clear and accurate technical reports, deficiency letters, and determinations that comply with statutes, rules, and policies
Manage multiple applications at the same time and meet licensing timeframes in a fast-paced regulatory environment
Problem-solve and collaborate with colleagues to address technical and regulatory challenges in application reviews
Communicate complex regulatory and technical concepts clearly in both written and verbal form to technical and non-technical audiences
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, applicants, consultants, and water providers
Adapt to new policies, procedures, and evolving water resource challenges while maintaining accuracy and timeliness
Seven (7) years of professional level water resource management experience OR Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years OR Master’s degree and three (3) years OR PhD and one (1) year

Nice To Haves

Preference for water resources experience, natural resources management experience, data analysis experience, and/or project management experience.
Legal and regulatory experience a plus
Experience in a related field may be considered in lieu of specific water resource management experience.

Responsibilities

Application Review and Analysis: Serve as a primary analyst for Certificates of Assured Water Supply (CAWS) and related applications. Review hydrologic studies, demand analyses, contracts, and legal documentation to ensure compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), Arizona Administrative Code (AAC), and ADWR policies
Regulatory Compliance: Interpret and apply statutory and regulatory requirements to assigned applications. Ensure determinations are accurate, consistent, and completed within licensing timeframes
Technical Documentation: Draft deficiency letters, technical memoranda, and final determinations that clearly document the basis for ADWR’s decisions
Coordination: Work closely with hydrology and legal staff on technical and regulatory issues. Communicate with applicants, consultants, and water providers to resolve questions and clarify requirements
Program Support: Contribute to the review of program-related annual reports and support other application types, such as Designations, Modifications, and Assignments, as needed
Process and Data Support: Maintain accurate application files, track progress in internal systems, and provide input on improving workflow efficiency and consistency
Additional tasks and activities will be assigned as needed

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
By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive.
Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right.
An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.