Hydrographic Survey Bureau Chief/Water Resources Manager II (OSE/ISC #10117355)

$46.97 - $75.15 Hourly

$97,701 - $156,322 Annually

This position is a Pay Band EI

Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED AFTER THE HIRING MANAGER RECEIVES A LIST OF QUALIFIED APPLICANTS.

This position is located in the Litigation and Adjudication Program (LAP), Hydrographic Survey Bureau in Santa Fe, NM.

To learn more about the Office of the State Engineer, please visit our website: https://www.ose.state.nm.us/

Why does the job exist?

The purpose of this position is to manage, oversee, and direct the adjudication support activities of the Hydrographic Survey Bureau (HSB) to support the adjudication of water rights in New Mexico. This position will be responsible for planning and directing all of the activities of the HSB and with organizing the HSB's resources (including contractors), integrating the HSB's functions, coordinating the HSB's activities, and cooperating with other components of the agency to fulfill the objectives of LAP and OSE to adjudicate all water rights in New Mexico.

This position will work with the OSE General Counsel, the three Deputy General Counsels and other LAP managers to develop, implement and monitor strategic planning goals and objectives for HSB operations throughout the adjudications.

The HSB manages and analyzes spatial and tabular data of water uses and water rights for stream system adjudications throughout the state. This involves field work and file review/office work (including file abstracting and ownership research) to complete hydrographic surveys and field checks. The HSB also works with the appropriate litigation attorneys managing the adjudications to prepare offers of judgment and to appear as the state's expert witness testifying as necessary during the course of the assigned adjudication.

How does it get done?

l. Manage the hydrographic surveys and associated technical work related to all adjudications handled by the Northern/Pecos Adjudications Bureau, including project planning, contract management, quality assurance and quality control, integration into the Bureau in support of the completion of assigned adjudications, interaction with the customers and the public, productions of hydrographic survey maps and compilations of reports, and completion of error and omissions survey and reports. Incumbent must also appear as the state's testifying witness during the course of the adjudications.

2. Supervise and evaluate Hydrographic Survey Bureau personnel to ensure high performance towards meeting milestones and ultimately meeting targeted timelines of the completion of assigned hydrographic surveys, and adjudications.

3. Develop hydrographic survey processes, standards, specifications and establish directives and timelines to plan for initiating and completing assigned hydrographic surveys and adjudications.

4. Coordinate, develop and implement LAP and Agency strategic plan and standards into hydrographic survey elements within the Hydro graphic Survey Bureau.

5. Cooperate with district offices regarding the effective sharing of information on water rights and water rights claims.

6. Train the Hydrographic Survey Bureau personnel in the complex disciplines of a hydrographic survey, including mapping using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) & other technologies, control survey, field inspections, ownership data acquisitions, water rights abstracting and evaluation, data management, report compilation and use of both field and office equipment to complete the assigned surveys.

Who are the customers?

The LAP managing attorneys managing adjudications are the internal customers for HSB work.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following abilities and be able to:

Independently plan, manage, strategize, and direct all the hydrographic survey activities of the Hydrographic Survey Bureau. Candidate should have the skill set in analysis and planning of technical projects and provide input Into recommendations; Assist in analyzing, planning, and implementing hydrographic surveys, field Inspections, and work with senior staff to prepare technical reports and surveys; Use Geographic Information Systems, analyze aerial photography and historical data to locate and research water Issues, operate surveying and plotting equipment, perform calculations, maintain databases and files; Understand statutes.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's Degree in a related Water Resources discipline (Agriculture Science, Hydrology, Geology, Environmental Science, Water Resources, Watershed Management, Physics, Biology, Natural Science, Physical Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geography Forestry/Forest Science, Conservation Science, Wildlife Science Emergency Management or Engineering) and eight (8) years of relevant experience. Master's Degree in the above disciplines and four (4) years of relevant experience, six (6) years of which must be in a supervisory role. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of this classification totaling ten (10) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Substitution Table

These combinations of education and experience qualify you for the position:
Education Experience Education Experience 1 High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 12 years of experience OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 12 years of experience 2 Associate's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 10 years of experience Associate's degree or higher in any field AND 12 years of experience 3 Bachelor's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 8 years of experience 4 Master's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 6 years of experience 5 PhD degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 4 years of experience
• Education and years of experience must be related to the purpose of the position.

• If Minimum Qualification requires a specific number of "semester hours" in a field (e.g. 6 semester hours in Accounting), applicants MUST have those semester hours in order to meet the minimum qualifications. No substitutions apply for semester hours.

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 mostly in an office setting where there is extensive exposure to personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Work is also performed in the field with interactions with the public, exposure to inclement weather, and requires the ability to walk and climb on uneven terrain with periods of standing. Candidates must be able to safely climb barbed wire fences and gates and must be able to work outdoors in hot or cold temperatures. Candidates must be able to lift at least 25 lbs. Must follow all safety protocols.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Rick Allen (505) 570-7754. 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.