Entry Level Construction Expert Witness Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$29.23 - $43.85 Hourly
$60,800 - $91,200 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C8
Posting Details
This posting is used for ongoing recruitment and may close at anytime. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
This position is located in the Water Resources Allocation Program (WRAP), Water Rights Division (WRD) District I Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
To learn more about the Office of the State Engineer, please visit our website: https://www.ose.nm.gov
Why does the job exist?
The Associate Water Resource Professional is an entry-level position that supports the administration of surface and groundwater rights in the Middle Rio Grande Basin by conducting field inspections, stream flow and gage measurements, groundwater data collection, hydrologic calculations, and evaluations of water rights applications. Working under the Water Master and District Manager(s), responsibilities include preparing technical reports, depletions accounting, collecting and analyzing water data, evaluating irrigation water requirements, ensuring permit compliance, reviewing permits, maintaining data and reporting systems, attending meetings, public service and more. The role contributes to District 1 projects, assists with basic hydrology modeling, and may serve as an expert witness on limited matters. During irrigation seasons, the incumbent helps administer water rights and measurement under AWRM regulations, and in the offseason assists in the preparation of the annual Water Master Report summarizing irrigation activities and planning for the upcoming season. Basic knowledge of surface water measurement devices and their maintenance is essential to support accurate water management.
How does it get done?
Active Water Management
Support the Middle Rio Grande Basin Water Master and Water Resources Managers with active water management duties and team planning. Assist with instrumentation coordination, routine diversion inspections, monitoring for compliance, and preventing over diversion. Help measure and record diversions, support priority administration, compile diversion data, and investigate illegal diversion reports. Prepare memoranda documenting field investigations and recommended actions, and work with stakeholders to address concerns and develop statistical data for annual reports.
Compliance Investigations
Assist with compliance-related investigations, including documenting complaints and gathering technical information to determine legal status. Prepare field reports, communicate findings to involved parties, track compliance status, support follow up actions, and refer cases to the Enforcement Unit as needed. Help draft notices of violation, monitor compliance with diversion and permit conditions, and provide recommendations to supervisors and coordinate with legal team on compliance orders.
Surface and Ground Water Administration
Support the administration of surface and ground water resources in accordance with New Mexico statutes, court decisions, compacts, and State Engineer regulations. Maintain a field presence and provide technical support for water diverters. Assist specialists and engineers with permit actions by preparing field reports and other technical reports. Support investigations of water use violations and prepare findings.
Water Rights Recommendations
Assist in preparing recommendations, final action memoranda, and related documents for water rights applications, declarations, and other transactions. Research water rights files, survey maps, aerial photographs, and historical records. Use software to prepare exhibits that accompany written recommendations.
Committee Participation
Participate on committees developing statewide surface and groundwater measurement specifications. Support other Water Masters during high demand periods and assist with installing measurement equipment such as flumes, stilling wells, and data platforms. Support meter inspections in groundwater measurement basins and help develop training materials for Water Masters and agency staff.
Expert Witness & Documentation
Assist with compiling documentation for administrative hearings. Support research of historical data and water rights files for protested or contested applications. Help prepare memoranda and assist staff attorneys with expert testimony preparation.
Public Assistance
Support public assistance efforts related to water rights applications by providing technical guidance, helping educate the public on agency policies through presentations, and maintaining clear correspondence on water related matters.
Who are the customers?
The customers include a diverse group of both surface water and groundwater water users in the State that represent farming, ranching, dairy, municipalities, and other private and public interests that seek public service and water resources administrative services from the Office of the State Engineer.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
- Basic knowledge of New Mexico Statutes and Administrative Guidelines, Rules & Regulations as they relate to water rights and/or natural resources administration,
- Basic experience with basic groundwater and surface water flow modeling, and aquifer testing,
- Basic experience using GIS software, including creating and maintaining maps and geodatabases,
- Basic experience evaluating water resources data, and the preparation of moderately complex water resources reports, and
- Public administration and customer relations experience.
- Team player that has excellent communication skills.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Science, Hydrology, Geology, Environmental Science, Water Resources, Watershed Management, Physics, Natural Science, Physical Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Forestry/Forest Science, Conservation Science, Wildlife Science, Emergency Management, or Engineering. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT). Use of Xerox machine, computer, telephone, fax machine and calculator. Long hours reviewing, researching, and reading water rights information. Field work/travel is required. Some lifting of up to 60 pounds and periods of extended standing or kneeling while working may be required. Some sitting, standing, bending, hiking, climbing and reaching may be required. Incumbent is expected to be comfortable with customer service over the phone and in person. Occasionally reporting to remote work sites and field work that may encounter adverse weather and difficult terrain. Some climbing/hiking short distances to identify source water locations. May require brief periods of work in cold and/or inclement weather. Field work requires use of digital cameras and a global positioning system. May be required to occasionally work at alternate work sites and extended hours and weekends. Travel will be required to include driving a state vehicle. May be exposed to inclement weather.
Supplemental Information
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Agency Contact Information: Jennifer Allred, (505) 383-4005 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.