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Water Rights Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

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Water Rights information

See Reno, NV salary details

$14

$22

$34

How much do water rights jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for water rights in Reno, NV is $22.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.70 and $25.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are water rights?

Water rights are legal entitlements that allow individuals, organizations, or governments to use a certain amount of water from a specific source, such as a river, stream, or groundwater. These rights determine who can access water, for what purposes (like irrigation, municipal use, or industrial activities), and under what conditions. Water rights can be complex and vary widely by region, often governed by state and local laws. In many places, water rights can be bought, sold, or leased, making them valuable assets. Understanding water rights is essential for anyone involved in agriculture, real estate, or industries that depend on water resources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water rights specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Rights Specialist, you need a solid background in environmental science, hydrology, or law, often supported by a relevant degree and experience with water allocation regulations. Familiarity with GIS software, water modeling tools, and legal research databases is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation, and communication skills set top professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualifications are essential for navigating complex regulations, resolving disputes, and ensuring sustainable and legal water resource management.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in water rights management?

Professionals in water rights management often encounter challenges such as navigating complex and evolving regulatory frameworks, balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders (including agricultural, municipal, and environmental interests), and resolving disputes over water allocation. The role frequently requires negotiating between parties, interpreting legal documents, and staying current with state and federal water laws. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to analyze hydrological and legal data to support informed decision-making.

What is the difference between Water Rights vs Water Rights Technician?

AspectWater RightsWater Rights Technician
CredentialsLegal, environmental, or water resource certifications; often requires a degree in law, environmental science, or related fieldsTechnical certifications; often requires training in water management, GIS, or surveying
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, government agencies, or water resource departmentsFieldwork, surveying sites, data collection, and analysis
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, law firms, environmental consultanciesWater agencies, environmental firms, consulting companies

Water Rights professionals focus on legal and regulatory aspects of water access and usage, while Water Rights Technicians support these efforts through technical data collection and fieldwork. Both roles are essential in water resource management but differ in their focus and required skills.

What job categories do people searching Water Rights jobs in Reno, NV look for?

The top searched job categories for Water Rights jobs in Reno, NV are:

Infographic showing various Water Rights job openings in Reno, NV as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,072 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

MANAGER 2, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

State of Nevada (NV)

Carson City, NV

$95K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


State Of Nevada rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 50 rated states


Job description

***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*** Job Summary The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR), protects, manages, and enhances the State's resources to provide the highest quality of life for Nevada's citizens and visitors. The NDCNR with over 900 employees consists of the Director's Office and the following divisions and programs: Environmental Protection, Forestry, State Lands, State Parks, Water Resources, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Heritage, State Historic Preservation Office, Off-Highway Vehicles, Sagebrush Ecosystem, and the Conservation Districts Program.

The Department also provides support staff to the Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and has responsibility for numerous Boards, Commissions, and Councils. The Department has locations and/or provides program services in every community of the State. The Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) is seeking to fill two Manager 2, Professional Engineer positions.

One position is responsible for overseeing the Adjudications and Well Drilling Sections of the Nevada Division of Water Resources. The responsibilities of this position as it relates to the Adjudications Section include, but are not limited to, overseeing the adjudication of pre-statutory water right claims, administering existing Decrees, and representing the State Engineer in adjudication related legal matters. Duties include reviewing and engaging in all phases of the adjudication process, including the calling for and filing of claims, the drafting and circulation of the preliminary order of determination, assisting with the administrative hearing on objections, drafting and circulation of the final order of determination, and working with the Office of the Attorney General through the judicial process and the hearing on exceptions leading to the final decree.

The incumbent is responsible for providing supervision and guidance to adjudication staff in performing field investigations, hydrographic surveys and supporting the drafting of preliminary and final orders of determination. The responsibilities of the position as it relates to the Well Drilling Section include overseeing the Well Driller's Advisory Board, well driller licensing program, administering water well drilling regulations including waivers and notices of intent to drill, reviewing and updating water well drilling regulations as appropriate, and assisting in administrative hearings on water well drilling violations. Duties of the position also include acting as a liaison for the State Engineer, assisting the Deputy Administrators with legislative issues, and the preparation and review of rulings, preparing complex water right permit terms in accordance with Nevada Water Law, overseeing groundwater inventories, certification of water rights, pumpage inventories, monitoring data, performing field investigations and supervising engineering staff and well supervisors.

The second position oversees the Division's Water Rights, Title, and Application Processing Sections. Responsibilities include managing 4 Supervisors and 27 Engineers, Water Resource Specialists, and Technicians, and an Administrative Assistant. The Manager directly evaluates the four supervisory staff and reviews the evaluations of all other staff within the section and processes timesheets and leave requests for all employees directly supervised.

The Water Rights Section Chief is the primary member of the "Ready for Action" review team, trains RFA coaches, and works with the State Engineer and Deputy Administrators to establish processing standards. This position offers guidance on rulings concerning protested applications, gives technical advice to basin engineers on challenging applications, and organizes hydrographic basin assignments among all basin engineers. Additionally, the position assists the State Engineer and Deputy Administrators with projects in the areas of disseminating policy to the public, assisting in policy development, and other tasking as necessary.

Managers in this series are Professional Engineers (P.E.) who plan, coordinate and oversee projects, programs and consultant contracts/agreements; perform professional engineering functions requiring analysis involving the application of advanced principles and abstract concepts in the development of unique solutions to solve difficult problems; develop policies, procedures and long and short range goals. Essential Qualifications Current licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and three years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience in a supervisory or responsible project charge capacity; OR licensure and an equivalent combination of education and experience; OR one year of experience as a Manager I, Professional Engineer in Nevada State service; OR three years of experience as a Supervisor, Professional Engineer in Nevada State service. Job Duties Interact and communicate with internal managers administrators as well as executives, officials and regulatory representatives to solve problems and negotiate solutions involving conflict or controversy requiring interpretation/application of policy or to negotiate solutions within policy guidelines

Direct and manage subordinate staff including subordinate supervisors; establish work performance standards and evaluate performance; recommend and initiate disciplinary action when necessary by reviewing circumstances, seriousness of offense, impacts, and probable cause to maintain fair and impartial control and to uphold the department's standards of performance; organize, coordinate and delegate projects and assignments. Represent the department at various hearings, meetings, conferences, public news media interviews, and at city and county council meetings to provide information and answer questions pertaining to federal and State rules and regulations and department policies, procedures and projects. Assist in budget development by recommending division, branch or section operational needs and other pertinent cost factors; attend finance, staff and status meetings to represent the division, branch or section.

Provide technical engineering assistance to staff and various committees and groups; testify in court proceedings and claims against the department to provide oral and written testimony, as required, and serve as an expert witness in lawsuits and other court matters. Perform related duties as assigned. Under general direction, incumbents function as either the head of a major work unit in a division within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources such as Environmental Protection or Water Resources.

Manager II, Professional Engineer positions are distinguished from the Manager I, Professional Engineer positions by the greater degree of complexity in the nature of work performed and the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities This class specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Detailed knowledge of: mathematics, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics to perform calculations and professional engineering work; engineering principles and practices; principles of organization and management in an engineering environment; civil engineering terminology. Working knowledge of: management fundamentals in order to determine and revise priorities, assign tasks, influence personnel, and improve production. Ability to: communicate orally using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to obtain and provide information and to explain policies and procedures to persons of varying levels of engineering expertise; read, interpret, and determine the effect of technical documents, research reports, engineering journals, and federal and State regulations; review and critique the work of other personnel; make comprehensive recommendations on engineering problems; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with federal, state and local governments; adapt to anticipated and unanticipated changes due to internal or external factors in order to reach organizational goals and objectives; reason logically; work a varied schedule; travel on short notice for business purposes; respond to rapid changes in conversation involving difficult questions; think through the consequences of a decision before making it; negotiate, exchange ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or arrive jointly at a decision, conclusion or solution; solve conflicts by identifying the problem, determining its effects, analyzing alternate solutions, choosing the optimum solution, and taking the necessary action to implement the solution; foster a stimulating, accepting learning environment; and all knowledge, skills and abilities required at the lower level.

Recruiter Contact Information: Susan Ashley - q.ashley@admin.nv.gov The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages. Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.


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About State of Nevada

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Nevada isn't a company in the traditional sense, but rather a governing body that manages and directs the operations of the state of Nevada. Its headquarters are located in Carson City, NV, United States. The organisation is engaged in various sectors like education, transportation, business and industry, health and human services, conservation and natural resources, and many more. It is responsible for implementing and maintaining the law and order of the state, in addition to providing essential services to its residents.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Carson City, NV, US

Year founded

1864