Statewide Planning: Water Resources Specialist 2 or 3

We are seeking a highly motivated and passionate Demand Management Coordinator to join the Statewide Planning Section at the Arizona Department of Water Resources. This individual will serve as the Department’s technical expert on technologies, practices, programs, funding, planning, and policies to reduce and optimize water resource demand, particularly by community water systems.

The coordinator will collaborate with the Statewide Programs team and Active Management Areas Section to identify, develop, and implement strategies to provide technical assistance and resources to support community water systems in constructing required conservation plans and in addressing distribution system water loss, increasing customer efficiency, and reducing demand.

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. 

• In coordination with the Community Water Systems Program, analyzes community water system data to identify, develop, and implement strategies to provide technical assistance and resources to support providers.
• Provides guidance and education to community water systems in developing and updating required conservation plans.
• Coordinates with the regulatory conservation programs in the Department’s Active Management Areas Section.
• Researches, identifies, analyzes, and makes recommendations regarding practices, programs, and policies to reduce water consumption and maximize water use efficiency.
• Collaborate with staff throughout the Department in researching multi-disciplinary water resource issues, perform analyses, and reviewing and compiling information and reports. This may include participation in the development of management plans and assisting with the Department’s Supply & Demand Assessments, as applicable.
• Serves as the point of contact and as a resource for community water systems, Department staff, state agencies and organizations, and the public, responding to inquiries and requests for technical assistance, information, and presentations.
• Represents the Department in stakeholder meetings, rural partnership meetings, and other forums. Serves on committees and advisory groups at the state, regional, and national levels.
• Strengthens the Department’s conservation and efficiency related partnerships, collaborative efforts, and communication. Participates in selected conservation events each year.
• Coordinates, as necessary, with relevant federal, state, and local agencies and organizations to provide input on establishing and implementing appropriate water conservation and efficiency programs and standards.
• Leads the planning and coordination of the Department’s annual Water Awareness Month Festival, managing the logistics and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.

Knowledge of: 

• Current concepts, methods, standards, and practices in water resources planning and management, particularly demand management
• State and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to water resources and water resource management
• Processes and procedures associated with working within a regulatory environment
• Roles and relationships of state policy making and implementation process
• Information sources, research methods, and techniques utilized in water resources management

Skills in:

• Clear, well-organized, and effective oral, written, and visual communication
• Applying multi-disciplinary approach to identify, analyze, and resolve complex, sensitive, visible water resources management issues
• Researching, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating regulatory, legal, and technical documents
• Data analysis and management, including compiling, organizing, and evaluating water resource datasets
• Interacting with members of the regulated community, requiring careful exercise of independent judgment
• Working well within a team environment, including establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within ADWR, with other governmental entities, and the private and public sector
• Effectively managing workload, deadlines, and priorities
• Public speaking, including publicly presenting complex materials to diverse audiences
• Stakeholder management
• Problem identification and analysis and process improvement

Ability to:

• Exercise sound judgment, make well informed, timely decisions; assess impact and implications
• Prepare clear, concise briefing papers, reports, recommendations, and presentations
• Interpret, explain, and ensure compliance with state statutes and rules and Department policies and procedures
• Conduct effective public meetings and present information to other governmental and non-governmental agencies
• Develop and strengthen stakeholder relationships and represent ADWR in meetings and regulatory discussions
• Effectively facilitate programs, projects, and consensus-building processes with Department staff, governmental agencies, and the regulated public
• Prioritize and manage numerous projects in a fast-paced regulatory environment, ensuring deadlines and program objectives are met
• Problem-solve and collaborate with others to address challenges, improve workflows, and enhance program efficiency 

The role is housed within the Programs team, Statewide Planning Section, which comprises a diverse group of water resources professionals working collaboratively to provide information, resources, and technical assistance to support water resource planning and management throughout the state.

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

The preferred candidate should have:

Water Resources Specialist 2: Four (4) years of professional level water resource management experience OR Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years OR Master’s degree in a related field

Water Resources Specialist 3: 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