Water Resources Professional II (OSE/ISC #59357)

$31.21-$49.93 Hourly

$64,915 - $103,864 Annually

This position is a Pay Band EE

Posting Details

The Lower Rio Grande (LRG ) Adjudication Bureau provides the legal and technical work required for the agency to adjudication water rights in the Lower Rio Grande Basin, adjudicating water rights throughout the state is a primary mission of the agency. This position provides the technical expertise essential for the legal phase of an adjudication to be completed.
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks after the Hiring Manager receives a certified list.

This position is located in the Litigation and Adjudication Program (LAP), Hydrographic Survey Bureau in Las Cruces, 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 exist is to analyze, research and compile data from hydrographic surveys GIS/GPS technology and applicable engineering principals to create, edit and maintain digital data (spatial and tabular), prepare professional technical reports and maps in support of water rights adjudication's; maintain, update and query GIS systems to support water rights adjudication's; testify as an expert witness at agency hearings or court proceedings on water related issues; confer and correspond with water users and the public on water related matters; and guide, mentor and train junior engineers. This position will perform specialized functions within the field of engineering.

How does it get done?

This position will provide the following services:

Develop and manage projects to create spatial data of water users and water rights for LAP projects, adjudication, or projects that involve LAP input. Through a high level of understanding the hydrographic survey process, GIS/GPS Technology, and software related to (e.g. ArcMap or Trimble Pathfinder) create complex spatial data; manipulate tabular data into spatial representations; perform highly technical mapping; perform, oversee, and coordinate hydrographic survey field inspections; conduct assessor work; present and/or prepare technical engineering analysis, reports and status logs on adjudication's for management; locate the source of of water and usage patterns; monitor, review and inspect as necessary water put to beneficial use.

Develop and manage projects for creating tabular data of water uses and water rights. The hydrographic survey technical application process and review of water rights documents; research and compile complex water rights and water use records and documents; abstract such documents into the LAP's WRATS database; identity from survey data elements of a water rights claim; ensure such is entered onto the WRATS database system; verify the abstract data by performing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) by checking hydrographic surveys in GIS data; and generate reports and queries to extract the pertinent technical data from the WRATS database.

Train personnel on the theory and applications for GPS surveying receiver; GIS mapping software; field inspection techniques; OSE/ISC policies and procedures and NM Statutes as they pertain to water law and this position; in Hydrographic Survey standards; in the technical data conversion methods for adjudication's; how to locate and utilize technical information from applicable databases.

Who are the customers?

New Mexico State Engineer in preparations for the adjudication of Water Rights.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of New Mexico's statutory authority concerning water rights. Experience working with hydrological models, enthusiastic about working with the public, detail oriented, enjoys research, enjoys both an office setting as well as work in the field, educated in geographical information systems (preferably experienced using Arc Pro/ArcOnline), educated in a science related to water resource management, excellent computer skills, and the ability to multi-task are all ideal skill sets for this position.

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 and two (2) years of relevant experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) 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 1 High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 6 years of experience 2 Associate's degree AND 4 years of experience 3 Bachelor's degree AND 2 years of experience 4 Master's degree or higher 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 is performed primarily in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Use of scanners, copiers, transcription equipment and related. Some in state travel ma be required. This position may require to work in the field as needed with exposure to inclement weather and there will be periods of extended standing or kneeling while working out in the field. This position is required to meet with the public and may be required to travel to different job sites. The incumbent in the position will need to lift up to 25 pounds, hike in remote areas, work in inclement weather with exposure to insects and snakes and drive an agency vehicle, take photographs, interview people, measure stream flow, maintain measurement station equipment, and collect GPS data. The incumbent will be required to always follow all agency safety protocols in the office and in the field.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact is Marc Termil (575) 524-6330. 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.