Water Resources Professional lV (OSE/ISC #10117389)

$39.09 - $62.54 Hourly

$81,308 - $130,093 Annually

This position is a Pay Band EG

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 IV in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

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 coordinate and assist with Lower Rio Grande Active Water Resource Management activities and public outreach. This position will work with internal staff and external stakeholders to perform new and ongoing Office of the State Engineer activities and projects within the Lower Rio Grande. This position will also serve as the technical lead for Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) data management activities for the OSE District IV office. This position will review water rights applications/permits, prepare memorandums and recommendations on water right applications and assist in the administration of surface water and groundwater resources within the administrative boundaries of the District IV Office.

This position requires a working knowledge of New Mexico Statutes, Rio Grande Compact, Rio Grande Project agreements, Office of the State Engineer Rules and Regulations with respect to water rights administration, GIS, GPS, and spatial data management. In the absence of or delegation by the supervisor, the incumbent of this position may assume responsibility for the direction, control, and supervision of projects to ensure that the final products meet the appropriate policy and professional standards of the agency. The incumbent may also aid with training junior water resource professionals, provide guidance to junior staff, and assist in the development of administrative policies.

How does it get done?

LOWER RIO GRANDE PROJECT SUPPORT AND CUSTOMER SERVICE:
Coordinate with OSE staff and external stakeholders to support activities, projects, and initiatives within the Lower Rio Grande (LRG) area. Provide assistance to the public with LRG Active Water Resource Management (AWRM) questions, application filing, water rights inquiry, general water rights research, and using New Mexico Water Rights System (NMWRRS). Respond to telephone, e-mail, and written inquiries. Organize or participate in public outreach events for LRG AWRM related activities. Respond to Lower Rio Grande stakeholder requests for publicly available NMOSE data.

DATA MANAGEMENT, GIS, AND GPS SUPPORT
Serve as the data management project lead for spatial and other water right administration data within District IV. Provide GIS and GPS support to District IV staff and perform GIS analysis related to LRG AWRM and other general water right administration activities.

PROCESS WATER RIGHTS APPLICATIONS:
Perform water rights administration and process water right applications. This may include, but is not limited to, writing Notices for Publication, issuing Emergency Authorizations, and making recommendations for final action on water rights applications. Apply knowledge of statute, OSE rules and regulations, basin criteria, GIS/GPS tools, and database tools. Prepare, interpret, and analyze technical data. Use established knowledge of farming practices and other water use customs common to the areas of assignment, to include local hydrology and water resource engineering principles and techniques.

ENFORCEMENT AND FIELD INVESTIGATIONS:
Perform field investigations to support water rights administration in District IV. This may include, but is not limited to, performing water level measurements, determining locations of wells and places of use, taking photographs, performing meter inspections, and performing field inspections as a result of written complaints.

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 preparing or assisting with the preparation of exhibits for water rights hearings or other litigation related matters.

Who are the customers?

The general public, water right owners, realtor brokers, consultants and agency staff members.

Ideal Candidate

Ideal candidate will have the following experience:

-Education, knowledge and experience with New Mexico water laws, Rio Grande Compact, agency rules, regulations, policies, and practices.
-Experience and extensive knowledge of Lower Rio Grande and general New Mexico water right issues.
-Experience managing spatial data in an ArcGIS environment.
-An understanding of Federal funding requirements and experience coordinating with Federal agencies.
-Ability to represent and speak on behalf of the agency at meetings and public events.
-Ability to work closely with managers to ensure objectives of the Water Rights Division are met consistently and with sound, defensible judgment.
-Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

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 six (6) 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 ten (10) 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 10 years of experience OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 10 years of experience 2 Associate's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 8 years of experience Associate's degree or higher in any field AND 10 years of experience 3 Bachelor's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 6 years of experience 4 Master's degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 4 years of experience 5 PhD degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 2 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

This position is required to drive a state vehicle. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico 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

This position will be primarily in an office setting with extensive personal computer and telephone usage including extended periods of sitting. This position may require occasional hiking and/or walking long distances over difficult terrain and work in adverse weather conditions. Must be able lift 25lbs and use hand tools. Travel is required, which includes driving a state vehicle. May be required to work at alternate work sites for short durations.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Joseph Hennessey (575) 888-3945. 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.