Water Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position is responsible for the processing, expediting, and approving/rejecting surface water applications, amendments, assignments, decision & orders and transfers that are highly complex, sensitive, and visible in nature, with a focus on severance & transfer and permit to appropriate applications.
This position is also responsible for providing technical support to the Arizona General Stream Adjudication Court and Special Master(s) through the investigations of groundwater and surface water filings, adjudication filings, various databases, historical and current documents, preparation of technical reports, and by coordinating among departments to compile technical reports regarding surface water, groundwater and wells, and adjudications.

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.

• Processing surface water applications, amendments, assignments, decision & orders and transfers that are highly complex, sensitive, and visible in nature.
• Interpreting, explaining, and ensuring compliance with State and Federal surface water statutes, rules, and Department policies and procedures.
• Providing technical support to the Arizona General Stream Adjudication court and Special Master(s) through the investigations of groundwater and surface water filings, adjudication filings, various databases, historical and current documents, and preparation of technical reports.
• Researching, compiling, analyzing, interpreting, and integrating water resource management data from a variety of sources and databases, including observations and evaluations of historical records, maps, aerial photographs, and remotely sensed data output.
• Meeting project timelines, goals, and objectives; establishing, interacting, and maintaining effective working relationships within the Department, public, stakeholders, state and federal agencies; responding to oral and written inquiries.
• Assisting in the development and maintenance of Department databases and in the development, maintenance, updating, imaging, and preserving of Department records.
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Knowledge of:

• Current concepts and practices used in water resource planning and management.
• Historical governmental involvement with water supply, water usage, and water resources management.
• Department policies and procedures and state and federal surface, adjudication, and groundwater water statutes; rules and direction regarding managing the state's water resources.
• Information sources, research methods, and techniques utilized in water resource management.
• The behavior and occurrence of water in nature.

Skills in:

• Preparing, analyzing, and interpreting technical and administrative reports, recommendations, and correspondence.
• Investigating/resolving water resource management issues of a highly complex, sensitive, and visible nature that may require.
• Field work, gear and safety by organization, coordination and adhering to protocols.
• Coordinating multi-disciplinary projects impacting water resource management.
• Researching maps, reports and documents and compiling data and information to evaluate and process applications and generate reports.
• Research and analysis to dissect complex water issues and support the decision making process.
• Meeting project timelines, goals, and objectives.
• Maintaining an effective working relationship with team members, agency employees and with the public.

Ability to:

• Interpret and explain and ensure compliance with state and federal surface water, adjudication and groundwater statutes, rules and Department policies and procedures.
• Research, compile, analyze, and interpret water resource management data from a variety of sources and databases, including subject matter experts, evaluation of historical records, maps, aerial photographs.
• Prepare and analyze detailed technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence involving complex subject matter within Department and court directed timeframes.
• Use a variety of software applications and databases to organize/analyze/interpret water resource management data.
• Balance, prioritize, organize, and manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Effectively communicate in both a written and oral fashion.
• Exercise cautious judgement and discretion.
• Identify opportunities for use of solutions to improve efficiency and reduce waste. 

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

Candidate should have: at least ten years of professional level water resource management experience, or Bachelor's degree and eight years professional experience in water resource management, or a Master's degree and six years professional experience in water resource management or PhD and four years experience.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment. The current contribution rate is 12.00%.

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.