Water Resources Professional I (OSE/ISC #10117391)

$27.27 - $43.63 Hourly

$56,719 - $90,750 Annually

This position is a Pay Band ED

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 Water Resources Allocation Program (WRAP), Water Rights District VI Office 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?

This position is located in the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (NMOSE) Water Rights Division, District 6, Santa Fe Office. This position will provide support in a professional water resources administration role in the District VI Office. The water professional will administer water resources in accordance with New Mexico statutes, court adjudications, and rules and regulations of the state engineer through processing applications for permits, changes of ownership, and other water rights administration documents. The water professional will also be responsible for assisting with collection and reporting of surface water diversion and well monitoring data. In addition, the water professional will assist the public with filing documents, providing guidance and answering questions concerning water rights administration.

How does it get done?

1. ACTIVE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT: Perform AWRM duties of the District 6 Water Masters by participation in and support of Administrative Team planning activities. Administer surface water resources in accordance with NM statutes, court adjudication, interstate compacts and the rules and regulations of the State Engineer. Implement and oversee alternative administration as determined by active water resource management team. Provide technical support and ¿in the field presence¿ to all water diverters of the priority basins within District 6. Provide representation of the State Engineer to District 6 diverters. Assist other water masters, water resource specialists and engineers to administer new appropriations and transfers of existing water rights within District 6 and surface diversions throughout NM by providing field reports, flow data, structure specification, and physical control of water gates. Investigate complaints of violations of water use and prepare findings and recommend action to be taken. Performs investigations and follow up for compliance problems inclusive of documentation of complaints, conduct field investigations as needed in a timely manner and as appropriate to specific complaint, prepares field reports for review, inclusive of recommended action, prepare written responses to complaints, and follow-up to achieve desired outcomes. Input of diversion meter records and permit compliance. Prepare annual report of status of metering and diversion for assigned meters. Prepares and sends notice of non-compliance with respect to metering, over diversion, and/or other issues.

2. PERFORMS ADMINSTRATION OF WATER RIGHTS DOCUMENTS: Prepares memorandum of recommendation on protested water rights applications, inclusive of review of associated pending applications for extension of time, compliance problem resolution, field checks, and change of ownerships. Ensures permit holder has complied with all statutory requirements and existing permit conditions to the maximum extent possible. Prepares Notices of Publication for complete applications. Initiates follow-up contact or issues Notice within two weeks of receipt of acceptable application. Responds to, processes, and accepts change of ownerships and declarations. Conducts field investigations pertaining to filed documents. Acts as expert witness for administrative hearings, inclusive of full participation in all aspects of preparation of Water Rights position, creation of administrative exhibit, collaborating with other witnesses and counsel and providing testimony. Performs technical analysis as needed to accomplish job assignments. Review and oversee work of junior specialists with work group. The Advanced level Specialist is responsible for providing guidance in work review (as requested) and mentoring Operational and Basic level Specialist positions within the work unit. Responsible for support and utilization of the WATERS database to the maximum extent practical. New applicants are entered and tracked through the database (i.e., forwarded to imaging, entered, NFP, AOP, Act, Meter Fin Act etc.); files needing significant abstracting will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

3. PROVIDES PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: Provides general water right information to walk-in and telephone inquiries in a responsive, courteous, and accurate manner. Assists public in completion of various water rights forms. Provides spot review of filed documents to ensure proper forms are filed are complete and accurate. Provides written responses or other appropriate follow-up to public questions within two weeks of receipt. Response to telephone and e-mail inquiries to be provided within 24 hours of receipt. Represent the OSE in meetings and other public forms. Coordinates and manages outreach office.

4. SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS:
This may include but is not limited to serving as an expert witness for the OSE on water rights hearings and related matters as assigned and independently prepare or assist in the preparation of exhibits for water rights hearings. Other duties, as assigned.

Who are the customers?

This position will work with agency staff, other state agencies, county and federal government entities, parciantes, mayordomos, tribal and non-tribal communities, the general public and other stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

Basic understanding of surface and groundwater laws and regulations in the State of New Mexico.
Excellent technical writing skills.
Experience using mapping software, including but not limited to ArcMap, ArcPro, and ArcGIS Online.
Experience dealing with the public and assisting them in interpreting and understanding complex concepts and documents.
Experience measuring surface water flows in the field including using Flowtracker or similar equipment.

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. Substitutions Apply. See Substitution Table below.

Substitution Table

These combinations of education and experience qualify you for the position:
Education Experience Education Experience 1 High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 4 years of experience OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 4 years of experience 2 Associate's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 2 years of experience Associate's degree or higher in any field AND 4 years of experience 3 Bachelor's degree or higher in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 0 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 performed primarily in an office setting with extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some travel may be required with an ability to handle tight deadlines and multiple demands related to work requirements. May be required to lift up to 20 pounds.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Ramona Martinez (505) 827-3870. 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.