Posting Detail Information
Working Title: Water Resource Analyst – Fort Collins, Colorado
Position Location: Fort Collins, CO
Work Location: Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional Position: Yes
Posting Number: 202301749AP
Position Type: Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title: Research Associate III
Number of Vacancies:
Work Hours/Week: 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
- For detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees, visithttps://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/andhttps://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/.
- For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visithttps://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/.
- For more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in, visithttps://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/.
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on11/09/2023
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
The Radical Open Science Syndicate (ROSSyndicate) uses open data, reproducible workflows, and community partnerships to better design and manage (mosty freshwater) ecosystems. The ROSSyndicate is part of Colorado State University’s Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, whose mission is to understand the function of ecosystems and watersheds across space and over time. We assess ecosystem sustainability by examining interactions within and between natural and human systems in the context of current stresses such as changing climate, species introductions, land-use change, and increased demand for water. The department will use state of the art technologies and approaches to provide quality education to future scientists, educators and decision makers, conduct cutting edge interdisciplinary research, and deliver culturally relevant outreach programs that empower our students and the general public locally, nationally, and internationally. The selected candidate will also collaborate closely with our partner, the National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, on the key project associated with this position.
Position Summary
A Water Resource Analyst position is available with Colorado State University and the Ecosystem Science and Sustainability to be located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The ROSSyndicate is recruiting an experienced scientist to contribute to our efforts in enhancing the sustainable management of National Park Service ( NPS ) water supplies. The successful candidate will be responsible for applying climate, hydrologic, and hydrogeologic models and other qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the vulnerability of park water supplies to climate change and assist in the development of NPS adaptation strategies. This role involves hydrologic data analysis and interpretation; hydrologic modeling; developing conceptual hydrologic and hydrogeologic models; estimating water demands and supplies; geospatial database development; and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.
This position is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, and will require that the incumbent be in-person at least 3 days a week (with the option to be remote the other 2 week days).
Required Job Qualifications
- B.S./B.A. degree + 5 years related experience or Master’s degree + 2 years of experience or PhD
- In-depth understanding of watershed and hydrological principles, groundwater flow, hydrologic recharge, discharge, or groundwater-surface water interactions.
- Command of the R, Python, or equivalent programming language.
- Experience analyzing large hydrologic or climatic datasets (from: USGS , EPA , NOAA , etc.).
Preferred Job Qualifications
- Experience with estimating current and future water demands.
- Project management experience, ideally in a computational environment like using git and GitHub with a team, and the project management tools therein.
- Watershed, hydrologic, and/or groundwater modelling experience at large scales using physically based models
- The ability to clearly communicate results from analyses through data visualization, written communication, and verbal presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent analyses, learn on the job, and collaborate with a team of diverse experts. Especially conducting analyses relating to groundwater recharge, discharge, and flow.
- An understanding of water rights and Western USA water law.
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Essential Duties
Job Duty CategoryResearch and analysis
Duty/Responsibility
- Independently lead the forecasting and modelling of future climate impacts on NPS water supplies and local demand.
- Help establish a structured climate vulnerability assessment framework.
- Select optimal methods/models for evaluating water supply sources and their sensitivity to changing climate and water demand based on various types and amounts of available data.
- Catalog park climate, hydrology, and water supply data (in-cluding water rights).
Percentage Of Time60
Job Duty CategoryReporting and writing
Duty/Responsibility
- Help lead reporting for NPS partners on climate vulnerability and recommended adaptations for parks or park clusters.
- Aid in crafting a comprehensive literature review on climate vulnerability methods for water resources.
- Lead research papers and other products associated with water supply modelling.
- Coordinate with Geospatial Centroid on web-visualization of NPS water supply modelling results.
Percentage Of Time20
Job Duty CategoryAdditional project support
Duty/Responsibility
- Miscellaneous tasks associated with the NPS water vulnerability project as well as other related ROSSyndicate projects.
Percentage Of Time20
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than November 9, 2023, for full consideration. Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birth dates from application materials. A complete application consists of:
- Statement of Qualifications (one-page letter addressing each qualification described in the announcement) uploaded in the ‘Cover Letter’ slot.
- Resume
- Transcripts (for each degree earned that is listed under qualifications) uploaded in the ‘Official Transcripts’ or ‘Unofficial Transcripts’ slot.
- Degree Conferral (copy of diploma if transcripts do not include confirmation that degree was awarded) uploaded in the ‘Other’ slot.
- References – please include within your application contact information for 3 professional references including at least one supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search ContactKatie Willi (Kathryn.willi@colostate.edu)
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested3
Maximum Requested3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcripts
Optional Documents
- Official Transcripts
- Other
