Local recruitment: State Water Plan Manager

Utah Division of Water Resources

Salt Lake County, UT, USA 🇺🇸

State Water Plan Manager (Environmental Scientist IV, DNR)
The Utah Division of Water Resources — housed within the Department of Natural Resources — is seeking an individual to lead the newly-created State Water Plan section. This dynamic role offers the exciting opportunity to shape the future of the state’s water resources through inter-agency collaboration and the production of the State Water Plan. This role will require extensive engagement with agency and community leaders, facilitating impactful discussions on water management, and transforming complex data and concepts into clear and engaging insights for various audiences. If you have solid experience with water resource planning, are well organized, skilled at communicating and are passionate about contributing to Utah’s water future, this could be the role for you.
 
Principle Duties:

  • Lead the development of the State Water Plan, a guiding document updated regularly to compile data, modeling, and collaborative efforts outlining when, where, and how much water will be needed across Utah.
  • Conduct research on water resource topics, gathering essential data to clearly communicate complex information for a general audience.
  • Coordinate outreach and engagement efforts with water agency leaders, representatives, stakeholders, and the public to foster collaboration.
  • Manage tasks using project management tools such as Smartsheet, providing regular updates to leadership.
  • Oversee division staff to ensure the timely and accurate completion of modeling, data visualization, and analyses.
  • Supervise one employee, including performance management planning and conducting quarterly performance evaluations.

Preferred Skills 

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Solid experience in and understanding of water resource planning projects.
  • A passion for effective management and preservation of Utah’s water resources.
  • Proven ability to coordinate public and partner engagement, including outreach to key stakeholders.
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills.
  • Familiarity with water resource engineering principles and practices.
  • Self-motivated, with the ability to transform complex processes into actionable steps.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferences:

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Hydrology, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related field is preferred.
  • OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and paid professional employment directly related to the above tasks.

Work Location:
This position may be eligible for an in-office or remote/hybrid work schedule after an initial training period during the first few months of employment. Our office is located 1594 West, North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. A position’s eligibility for remote work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion.

Why You Should Join Our Team:
The Division of Water Resources employs an amazing and highly driven team that has the privilege of working together on a variety of water resources projects throughout the state that improve the quality of life for its current and future residents. You will have opportunities to work directly with the public and form meaningful relationships with the communities we serve across the state. Last, but not least, employees of the Division of Water Resources enjoy flexible schedules, generous amounts of paid leave and sick time, and competitive benefits. All of which contribute to the incredible work-life balance and job satisfaction.  Click here(Download PDF reader) for a detailed list of benefits or review the summary of key benefits provided below:

Health Insurance – Public Employee Health Program (PEHP):

  • 3 medical plan options. Choose a Traditional or High Deductible Health Plan. (There is an Opt-Out Cash Benefit option for those who have other medical insurance coverage)
  • 5 dental plan options (There is an Opt-Out Cash Benefit option for those who have other dental insurance coverage)
  • 4 vision plan options under EyeMed or OptiCare

Retirement – Utah Retirement Systems (URS):

  • Defined Contribution: Employer contributes 10% of your salary to a 401(k) plan.
  • Hybrid: Employer contributes 10% of your salary between pension and 401(k) plans.

Paid Time Off:

  • Annual leave and sick leave are accrued at 4 hours per pay period each (4 hours annual, 4 hours sick).
  • Annual leave increases up to 7 hours per pay period with years of service.
  • There are 12 paid holidays (including Juneteenth, Pioneer Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day).

The Agency:
If you would like to read more about working for the Department of Natural Resources, Water Resources Division please visit: water.utah.gov

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

  • Manages a statewide water planning program; directs the planning efforts by establishing priorities, setting goals, and developing research standards.
  • Coordinates or leads program activities, services, and/or program implementation, etc.
  • Presents project updates, recommendations and issues directly to senior management, boards, commissions, local governments, or the legislature.
  • Develops strategies for implementation of an idea, program or change in operations.
  • Interprets, clarifies, explains and applies agency policies, procedures, business practices, and relevant federal or state laws and regulations to ensure compliance and guide effective program implementation..
  • Evaluates all aspects of planning efforts, research projects, project findings, and operational data regarding technical merits and implications.
  • Writes policy and position papers, technical reports, articles or related material based on research, investigation or analysis.
  • Designs, develops, and conducts a variety of statewide water planning projects; determines appropriate methodologies, information sources, sampling strategies, and data-collection tools, etc.
  • Analyzes, summarizes and/or reviews data; reports findings, interprets results and/or makes recommendations.
  • Participates in conferences on technical improvements; reviews literature pertinent to research objectives, design, data-collection, and project implementation.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable federal and/or state laws, regulations, and/or agency rules, standards and guidelines, etc.
  • Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions related to public information.
  • Supervises and/or leads subordinate personnel.
  • Collaborates effectively with stakeholders and industry professionals.

POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

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