Water Resources Supervisor (Colorado River Section)

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is seeking a Water Resources Supervisor for the Colorado River Section. This position is part of the Water Planning Division/ Colorado River Section. The Colorado River Management and Hydrologic Modeling Section is responsible for supporting the agency Director as the designated Governor’s Representative managing Colorado River negotiations and issues within the basin. The position will work closely with an internal team as well as colleagues across the basin and the Bureau of Reclamation in managing data and performing quality control for a variety of Colorado River issues. The position’s duties overlap with the public policy pertaining to the future management of the Colorado River. Ideal candidates will have a background in water policy and management. Additional relevant experience may include surface hydrology and climatology. The ability to translate data and scenarios into possible future management policy is an essential function of this position. The candidate will work closely with the Deputy Assistant Director in ADWR’s Colorado River Section as well as ADWR leadership. A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week is presently required. 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. 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

• Eight (8) years of professional-level water resources management experience; OR Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in economics, hydrology, civil engineering, geology, the physical sciences, political science, or a related field and (6) six years of related experience; OR Master's degree in a related field and four (4) years of experience; OR Doctorate in a related field and two (2) years of experience.
• Knowledge of hydrologic principles including Arizona hydrology.
• Knowledge of Colorado River supply and demand and the Central Arizona Project.
• Knowledge of socio-economic and ecological aspects of water supply and utilization.
• Knowledge of laws, treaties, court decrees, and rules/regulations pertaining to water apportionment use and allocation, particularly Colorado River water across the Basin, including Indian Water Rights Settlements.
• Knowledge of U.S. Bureau of Reclamation methodology for water accounting.
• Knowledge of utilization of numerical groundwater flow models and data analysis in policy formation.
• Knowledge of climate change and climate modeling principles.
• Knowledge of water quality and salinity.
• Knowledge of standard and innovative techniques for solving a variety of groundwater problems including numerical and statistical analysis, database use and design, GIS, and general computer use.
• Knowledge of the nature, occurrence, and behavior of surface water and groundwater.
• Knowledge of collection and analysis of data and the interpretation of hydrologic data and systems.
• Skills in policy and technical analysis.
• Experience with MS PowerPoint.
• Skills in negotiations and conflict resolution.
• Skills in verbal and written communications.
• Skills in project planning and organization.
• Skills in maintaining effective working relationships.
• Ability to coordinate with other governmental entities and the public.
• Ability to understand complex water resources data and analyses and communicate effectively with other technical and policy staff.
• Ability to provide technical assistance related to the Colorado River Program.
• Ability to analyze water resources modeling programs and output from models such as RiverWare.
• Ability to analyze, negotiate, and recommend changes and/or to point out issues that may adversely affect state interest.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public in general and with other entities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.

Nice To Haves

• Supervisory/management experience.
• Background in water policy and management.
• Surface hydrology and climatology experience.
• Ability to translate data and scenarios into possible future management policy.

Responsibilities

• Preparing materials to support the agency Director’s participation in high-level policy meetings and programs with the federal government, representatives of the seven Basin States, and other stakeholders
• Providing Colorado River strategic policy analysis and recommendations to the Director and Deputy Director
• Preparing presentations, reports and testimony for various entities, including committees, boards and commissions
• Assisting the Director’s office communications team in responding to press inquiries and producing website and social media content
• Monitoring and staffing the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
• Performing the supervisory function for the Department’s participation and, when appropriate, participating in the environmental and biological programs for the Colorado River Basin, including the Multi-Species Conservation Program and the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program
• Evaluating potential impact relating to compliance with applicable Federal and State environmental laws, rules and regulations
• Assisting in the management and administration of system conservation agreements
• Advising the Director regarding the Department’s recommendations to the US Bureau of Reclamation relating to conveyance and assignment applications
• Participating in policy and technical meetings with stakeholders and other Basin States colleagues to model hydrologic and water use conditions for the future of the Colorado River
• Implementing new storage and conservation program accounting following the adoption of post-2026 Guidelines
• Analyzing reservoir storage, management strategies, hydrologic conditions, and water use demands throughout the Colorado River Basin to determine the projected amount of Colorado River water available for use in Arizona
• Providing technical support for binational modeling and negotiations with Mexico
• Coordinating the Recovery Planning Advisory Group, including managing meeting invitations, supporting policy decisions for the recovery of Long-Term Storage Credits with the Arizona Water Banking Authority and the Central Arizona Water Conservation District
• Supervising two or more staff including the Contracts and Entitlements Specialist responsible for analyzing and processing conveyance applications requested by Colorado River Entitlement Holders within Arizona

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
• Flexible work schedule
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement system (ASRS) after 27 weeks of employment.

What This Job Offers

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