WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST 2-3 (Conveyances)

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Water Resources is seeking a Water Resources Specialist 2 or 3 for the Statewide AMA Section’s Conveyances team in the Water Planning Division. The Conveyances Specialist processes complex groundwater rights applications, with an immediate emphasis on water exchange applications, as well as conveyances of Irrigation Grandfathered Rights (IGFRs), relinquishments, and extinguishments. The role independently reviews and processes applications, coordinates legal, program, technical, and reporting requirements across Department programs, provides timely and accurate correspondence, and supports process improvements and workload management within the Conveyances Team. The position may allow remote work from within Arizona based on business needs and continued achievement of performance measures. A minimum of two days per week onsite at the ADWR office in Phoenix is required. Work must be performed within Arizona unless an exception is authorized in advance.

Requirements

For Water Resources Specialist 2: at least four years of professional-level water resource management experience; or a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience; or a master’s degree in a related field.
For Water Resources Specialist 3: at least seven years of professional-level water resource management experience; or a bachelor’s degree and five years of related experience; or a master’s degree and three years of experience; or a Ph.D. and one year of experience.
Possess and be able to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.
Knowledge of Arizona statutes, rules, and policies governing groundwater rights, water exchanges, relinquishments, extinguishments, conveyances, permits, and annual water-use reporting.
Knowledge of administrative and regulatory application-review processes, including completeness review, public notice, statutory and licensing timeframes, decision documents, and records management.
Knowledge of water resource management concepts and practices, and environmental, social, and economic aspects of water supply and utilization.
Knowledge of research sources and methods used in water resource management; GIS and ArcMap; online county assessor maps, plat maps, recorded documents, deeds, legal descriptions, aerial imagery, and cadastral locations.
Knowledge of database structure, data quality standards, and records-retention requirements.
Ability to apply a multidisciplinary approach to complex, sensitive, and visible water resource management issues.
Ability to use software applications, databases, and statistical systems to organize, analyze, and interpret water resource management data.
Ability to research maps, reports, records, and documents and gather information to evaluate and process applications and generate reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, governmental officials, the regulated community, stakeholders, and the public.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to analyze situations, identify problem areas, and propose and assist in implementing solutions.
Ability to identify issues requiring additional technical, legal, or policy review and coordinate with appropriate subject-matter experts.
Ability to coordinate projects and programs with internal staff, other government agencies, and the regulated public.
Ability to independently manage complex, multi-step application processes while meeting statutory, programmatic, and administrative requirements.
Ability to develop knowledge of the Groundwater Code, AMA Management Plans, and Department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to present technical information and program processes to varied audiences in writing and verbally.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, maintain a customer-service focus, and handle State funds properly.

Responsibilities

Review, process, and verify groundwater right conveyance and water exchange applications.
Research, compile, analyze, interpret, and integrate water resource management data.
Provide technical assistance and resources to internal and external customers by phone, email, and in-person or online meetings.
Update, analyze, and use GIS databases, maps, and tracking related to groundwater-right conveyances and water exchanges.
Assist with annual water withdrawal and use report processes.
Establish and document consistent, current processes and internal procedures for staff.
Draft clear correspondence and guidance for external parties regarding complex application requirements.
Draft and revise internal documents describing section requirements and procedures.
Assist with section compliance processes, including tracking incoming applications and certificates and meeting Licensing Timeframe Report requirements.
Assist with developing and maintaining Department databases and developing, maintaining, updating, imaging, and preserving Department files and records.
Process financial deposits and receipts, and track time for billing purposes.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
Sick leave
10 paid holidays per year
Deferred compensation plan
Credit union membership
Wellness plans
LinkedIn Learning membership
Tuition reimbursement
Employee discounts
Arizona State Retirement System participation; enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment