Colorado residents: Physical Science Researcher/Scientist II

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT COLORADO RESIDENTS

Are you interested in investing in a career that makes a difference?
 
Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today – and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children.
 
We invite you to explore our website at https://dnr.colorado.gov/about-us to find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado’s natural resources for today – and tomorrow.
 
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.
 
In addition to offering rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 10 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system 

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT COLORADO RESIDENTS

This position is in the Watershed and Flood Protection Section of the CWCB which exists to prevent flood damages and reduce Colorado’s vulnerability to property damage and loss of life, and to create feasible funding packages for flood control and drainage projects for Colorado communities.  The Colorado Water Conservation Board advocates the protection, conservation, and development of the waters of the state in order to secure the greatest utilization of such waters and the utmost prevention of floods for the benefit of present and future inhabitants of the State.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Works with federal, state, tribal, and local partners within Colorado to gather data and prepare reports, project requests and/or proposals for RiskMAP Project Priorities. Performs a variety of educational, technical, and administrative duties relative to planning and conducting state and federal flood hazard mapping projects in coordination with local communities. Works in coordination with the RiskMAP program leader and assists with the Letter of Map Change (LOMC) delegation program management tasks.

Provides flood hydrology and hydraulics technical services such as assisting with the preparation and review and/or creation of basin hydrology and hydraulics models and computations for both floodplain mapping and watershed restoration programs; provides review of floodplain information studies, flood mitigation plans and proposals, and floodplain project feasibility studies; reviews FEMA floodplain mapping and study revisions as needed; and identifies unique mitigation measures to supplement standard practices and guidelines for flood-related projects.

Directs the collection of necessary topographic, structural, and hydrologic, and hydraulic data and directs field surveys to obtain information for floodplain studies including hydraulic/stream conveyance analyses, post-flood documentation, pre- and post-flood mitigation activities, flood control projects, and flood delineation studies.

Prepares and negotiates contracts with consultants for engineering and storm re-constitution studies by formulating and presenting a “Scope of Work” and/or “Work Plan” to qualified parties for the accomplishment of floodplain information studies, flood mitigation projects, or project feasibility analyses.  

Prepares guidelines and specifications for studies and reports completed by other federal, state, and local agencies; performs technical reviews, interviews local floodplain administrators, detects engineering errors, recommends technical revisions, and secures decisions for regulatory compliance (or non-compliance) pertaining to the subject studies/reports with regard to the Board’s “Rules and Regulations”.

Directs or participates in high-level engineering and technical investigations for the prepara­tion or review of watershed assessments, stream management plans, fluvial hazard zone maps and reports, floodplain information studies, flood mitigation plans and proposals, and floodplain or stream restoration project feasibility studies and designs. Identifies unique engineering and mitigation measures to supplement standard practices and guidelines for flood-related projects.  Analyzes scientific correlations and develops new engineering criteria (multi-state recognized) for riparian watersheds that have experienced natural disasters (forest fires).  In addition, work with local stakeholders and other state agencies in analyzing watersheds at risk for forest fires and the potential impacts caused by potential fire events.

Review grant applications for watershed protection, flood hazard mitigation, stream restoration, and recreational enhancement. There are often several dozen applications per grant cycle, and there are several grant cycles per year. Grant application funding request often exceed available funding.  This position will be responsible for developing funding recommendations and managing grant applications including: contracting, invoice payments, project performance, and monitoring.

Work with all members of the unit to address imaging, storage, and management of information related to the section. Lead coordination with other unit members to ensure that information requests from outside stakeholders is delivered in a timely and full manner.  

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT COLORADO RESIDENTS

The Colorado Constitution, Article XII, Section 13 requires that applicants for state classified government jobs be residents of Colorado, unless this requirement is waived by the State Personnel Board.  If the residency requirement has been waived for an announced vacancy, it will be noted on the job announcement and applications will be considered from individuals who are not residents of Colorado.  This announcement does not include a residency waiver.
 
 
NOTE: For a helpful video that will ensure your application is properly completed, please see:  How to Apply
 
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, water resource planning and/or management, watershed management, watershed science, hydrology, hydraulics, or a closely related field AND two years of professional experience in hydrology; water resources engineering or planning; and/or water resources management.  One year of experience must have included floodplain mapping or watershed restoration.

Substitutions
Work experience as stated in the minimum requirements demonstrating competencies equivalent to the competencies learned through completion of the required education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to four years for the bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree or doctorate in the appropriate fields referenced in the minimum requirements may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree and one year of the required experience. There is no substitute for the year of specific experience with floodplain mapping or watershed restoration.
 
Preferred qualifications

• Master’s degree in one of the fields listed in minimum qualifications
• Professional Engineer license
• Certified Floodplain Manager certification
• Three or more years experience in watershed restoration
• Three or more years experience in floodplain mapping
• Demonstrated experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Ability to work in multiple team environments
• Willingness and ability to deliver presentations to large audiences

• Former employees of the State of Colorado MUST have concluded employment in good standing to be eligible for rehire.
• Must be willing and able to exert up to 20 lbs. of force to occasionally move objects
• Must be willing and able to possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver’s license
• Must be willing and able to travel statewide to attend meetings, sometimes in remote locations with occasional overnight stays

NOTE: For a helpful video that will ensure your application is properly completed, please see:  How to Apply
 
Applicant Checklist

 Complete Applications must include the following documents:

• A complete online Application for Announced Vacancy 
• A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. 
• A current resume 
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement; varied and not one dimensional; and demonstrate progressively higher level of responsibility with a wide range.
• Job Fit – Experience evaluated to determine how well your experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position.