Hydrogeologist Associate (Surface Water)

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for providing technical support for the processing, expediting and approving and/or rejecting surface water right applications and claims, with an emphasis on instream flow and sever and transfer applications. Responsible for ensuring adherence of surface water Department policies, rules, procedures and State and Federal statutes.

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. 

Job Duties:

The person in this position is responsible for researching, compiling, analyzing, interpreting and integrating water resource management data through a variety of sources and other program areas; participate in complex inter-departmental projects that requires multi-disciplinary expertise and written and oral reports and letters. This person will be a team leader for field inspections that investigations of water resource rights/claims to ensure correct procedures and techniques are used, quality of results expected and project time-lines, goals and objectives are met, in addition to serving as a project leader/liaison for investigating and resolving water resource management issues of a complex, sensitive and visible nature and preparation of reports with recommendations that may impact multiple water resource management program areas.

This position will also provide technical support related to groundwater/surface water interactions and provide hydrologic reports that will be used in the processing of applicable surface water applications and may act as an agency technical witness in hearings.

Additionally, this position is responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of Department databases and in the development, maintenance, updating, imaging and preserving of Department records and assisting lower lever professional staff regarding procedure and techniques to be used, quality of results expected and project time lines, goal and objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Current concepts and practices used in water resource planning and management
• Department policies and procedures and State surface water statutes, rules and direction regarding managing the State's water resources, including current and proposed management plans
• Information sources, research methods and techniques utilized in water resource management
• Agricultural practices as they relate to livestock and irrigation and the methods used to quantity water needs for different uses of water
•  Streamflow measurement techniques and the statistical analysis of stream fiow data
• Geomorphology as it relates to streamfiow, floodplains, erosion and sediment transportation
• Knowledge of the design of dams, ditches, pipelines, canal irrigation systems and reservoirs

Skills in:

• Preparing written and oral reports/ recommendations for implementing/ impacting multiple water resource management programs; investigating/ resolving water resource management issues of a highly complex, sensitive and visible nature
• Establishing, interacting and maintaining effective working relationships with Public and State and Federal agencies; responding to oral and written inquires.
• Coordinating multi-disciplinary projects impacting water resource management program areas
• Identification, evaluation and interpretation of the design, integrity and effectiveness of structures constructed to divert, transport, capture or store water
• Gathering field data using surveying techniques and GPS technology and software applications for field use
• Researching maps, reports and document and in gathering needed information to evaluate and process applications and generate reports.
• Being a team leader, including training and supervising of lower level profession staff regarding procedures/techniques to be used, quality of results expected and projected timelines, goal and objectives

Ability to:

• Interpret/explain and ensure compliance with State and Federal surface water statutes, rules and Department policies and procedures
• Compile, analyze and interpret water resource management data from a variety of sources and databases, including field measurement, calculation, observation and evaluations of historical records, maps, aerial photographs and remotely sensed data output, Department policies, rules and procedure and State and Federal Statutes and rules and from the Public, State and Federal entities
• Identify water sources, directional flow paths of water sources and the interaction between groundwater and surface water
• Conduct fieldwork independently statewide and often in remote areas
• Design and modify field data collection and measurement techniques for every project as may be required
• Use tape· measures, surveyor wheels, compasses, hand levels, surveyor rods and cameras
• Determine the volume of tanks and reservoirs, stream discharge, depth of water, heights,' ground surface elevations and distances.
• Identify opportunities for use of solutions to improve efficiency and reduce waste
• Balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks
• Build strong relationships inside and outside the organization
• Apply research methods/techniques to study water resource management issues
  impacting the State of Arizona.

Experience required:

Ten (10) years of professional level water resource management experience; OR

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field and eight (8) years of professional level water resources management experience; OR

Master’s degree or higher in a related field and six (6) years of professional level water resource management experience; OR

Doctorate in a related field and four (4) years of professional level water resource management experience.

Experience in  policy, planning, and regulation is preferred.

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.  Driver’s License Requirements.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources. The Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.