DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

Hybrid: Remote and 1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310 - Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary:  $55,000-$75,000

Grade: 23

This position is funded for a period not exceeding two years.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

ADWR is seeking a Water Resources Specialist, focusing on Statewide Planning water demand and supply assessments, who is organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about water and natural resources. This position will be part of the collaborative team responsible for developing water supply and demand assessments for each groundwater basin in Arizona.

This position will conduct research, data analyses, and policy analyses to inform the development of water supply and demand agricultural estimates, scenarios, and projections included in the assessments. This position will participate in complex, interdisciplinary projects that require deep collaboration, a willingness to learn and challenge assumptions, and an awareness of the sensitive nature of water issues. The results of the supply and demand assessments may be used to inform future conservation programs, water policy, and funding decisions. The ideal candidate will have a genuine curiosity for environmental, natural resource, water, and/or agricultural policy issues and revel in data, data analysis, and research. The candidate will also enjoy asking questions and proposing ideas about water conservation, supply, demand, and related issues, working collaboratively to discuss and challenge those ideas, and using data to find possible solutions.

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.

• Assist in developing statewide supply and demand assessments for Arizona’s 51 groundwater basins, specifically on agricultural water demands.
• Lead the development of the methods to estimate agricultural demand at the groundwater basin, statewide, and sector level.
• Lead the development of the methods to simulate and project agricultural demand estimates at the groundwater basin, statewide, and or sector level.
• Lead the development of short and long-term agricultural demand scenarios at the groundwater basin, statewide, and sector level.
• Research impacts on supply and demand include but are not limited to, potential changes to socio-economic aspects, geologic conditions, climate change, supply availability, policies, and voluntary/regulatory conservation programs.
• Use data and analytical tools to quantify the impacts on agricultural demand at the groundwater basin, statewide, and sector level.
• Research impacts on agricultural demand specific to the characteristics of each unique groundwater basin.
• Collaborate with other analysts to adapt estimation methods and scenarios to individual groundwater basins.
• Collaborate with ADWR staff of all levels and diverse stakeholders to solicit input and feedback on high-profile and/or sensitive issues.
• Prepare clear, well-constructed reports and presentations with recommendations considering impacts across multiple water resource management programs and levels.
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the history of water demand and supply at the groundwater basin, statewide, and/or sector level, including applicable laws, rules, statutes, and policies.

Knowledge of:

• Water, natural resources, and agricultural policy and analysis
• Scenario planning, simulation, and forecasting of the supply and demand of water and/or other natural resources.
• State of Arizona water resource statutes, rules, policies, procedures, and programs, including the Groundwater Management Act, Active Management Areas, Management Plans, Assured and Adequate Water Supply Program, and Recharge and Recovery Program
• Water supplies and their respective regulatory frameworks in Arizona, including groundwater, surface water, Colorado River water, and effluent.
• Methods and techniques utilized in the agricultural sector related to water use and water conservation.
• Agricultural water use trends and challenges in Arizona and related challenges in other western states.
• Current concepts and practices in water resources planning, conservation, and management.
• History of Western water laws and policies. 
• General methods of research, data analysis, policy analysis, scenario planning, simulation, and forecasting.
• Knowledge of coding language and advanced statistical or analytical tools is beneficial but not required.

Skills in:

• Analytical, statistical, and spatial methods to estimate and analyze water demand and supply data.
• Development, organization, and maintenance of spreadsheets, databases, and statistical systems
• Research, writing technical reports, including briefs documenting assumptions, methods, and background information.
• Oral, written, and visual communication, efficient communication of data analyses, estimation methods, assumptions, and complex policies to stakeholders.
• Use of technical software including Excel, ArcPro, and PowerBi; skills in programs similar to Access, SQL, R,
• GoldSim, and Mathematica are not required but would be an asset.
• Use of Microsoft Office tools such as Word and PowerPoint.

Ability to:

• Think creatively about current and potential sources of supply for agricultural demand and impact resulting from external factors, including changes to policy, statute, and/or climatic, geologic, and socioeconomic conditions.
• Retrieve, organize, and present water resource management data.
• Use analytical methods to organize and analyze water use and supply data.
• Interpret existing water rules, policies, laws, and statutes and how they may differ in the future.
• Collaborate closely with department and external staff with backgrounds in diverse disciplines to develop water supply and demand estimates, scenarios, and projections.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, including agency staff, government officials, leaders in the regulated community, and the public. 

Seven (7) years professional experience in water resource management, or Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years professional experience in water resource management, or a Master’s degree and two (2) years professional experience in water resource management. Candidates that do not meet these requirements may be considered for a Water Resources Specialist II position

Applicable degrees may include planning, agricultural and/or natural resource management, environmental planning, agricultural and/or natural resource economics, or other related field

Background and knowledge in the specialty of the Analyst position (Municipal, Agricultural, Industrial, Supply) is preferred but not required.

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). 

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

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 12.27%.

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.