Surface Water Section Manager

Salary:  $$65,545 (Mid-pt) $84,157 (Max)

 Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Surface Water Resource Manager (Manager) supervises a team of professional staff members with the responsibility to review, process, and approve or deny surface water right applications, claims, permits and certificates of water rights to the use of surface water for the State of Arizona in accordance with State and Federal statutes and ADWR rules, polices, and procedures.

The Manager represents the Surface Water Section in complex interdepartmental projects that require multi-disciplinary expertise, including investigating and resolving potentially sensitive and highly visible water resource management issues. The position responds to requests made by other agency programs for investigations, assessments, water diversion and use determinations, hydrologic analyses, and preparation of final reports/products in support of Agency priority programs and supporting projects. The manager may represent the Agency at meetings or hearing with other state agencies, federal, and local agencies concerning surface water rights and may be the Agency technical expert witness in cases concerning water rights.

Position responsibilities include the following:

• Reviewing, processing, and approving or denying surface water right applications, claims, permits and certificates of water rights to the use of surface water for the State of Arizona in accordance with state and federal statutes and ADWR rules, policies, and procedures
• Supervising, managing, and training professional level staff in procedures and techniques to be used, the quality and timeliness of work expected, licensing and timeframe requirements, setting goals and objectives, and prioritizing multiple simultaneous projects
• Assigning and reviewing technical work performed by professional level staff to ensure compliance with ADWR rules, policies, and procedures and state and federal statutes and rules
• Coordinating with Legal Division and other staff on surface water rights and policy issues
• Conducting field investigations, performing hydrologic analysis of surface water flow data, preparing reports with recommendations, participating in administrative hearings, and drafting decisions and orders
• Preparing management reports, making recommendation and implementation plans for program improvements, and developing draft policies, procedures, and rules
• Developing, managing, and maintaining accurate and updated surface water right registries
• Maintaining, updating, imaging, and preserving ADWR records and processing ownership transfers
• Providing accurate and efficient customer service to private, state, and federal entities
• Representing ADWR at public meetings and conferences and responding to oral and written inquires.

Knowledge of:

• ADWR rules, policies and procedures and state and federal surface water statutes and rules
• Current concepts and practices used in water resource planning and management
• Information sources, research methods, and techniques utilized in water resource management
• Agricultural practices as they relate to livestock watering and irrigation practices and the methods used to quantify water needs for different uses of water, including streamflow measurement techniques and the statistical analysis of streamflow data
• Analyzing and interpreting topographic maps, county assessor maps, plat maps and allotment maps, system of land/property legal description and identification, including but not limited to, cadastral, metes and bounds, Public Land Survey System, latitude and longitude, used in the State of Arizona

Skills in:

• Supervising, managing, and training professional level staff
• Managing and prioritizing projects
• Evaluating and processing applications
• Preparing written and/or oral reports
• Responding to oral and written inquires and presenting complex material to diverse audiences
• Effectively dealing with conflict
• Process improvement

Ability to:

• Research, compile, analyze, evaluate, and interpret water resource management data from a variety of sources and databases, including U.S.G.S. topographic maps, county assessor maps, aerial photographs, property deeds, historical records, field measurement data and calculations, remotely sensed data, field observations, and stream discharge measurements
• Identify water sources, directional flow paths of water sources, interaction between groundwater and surface water
• Identify, evaluate, and interpret the design, integrity, and effectiveness of retention/detention structures constructed to divert, transport, capture or store surface water
• Collect and interpret field data using surveying techniques, GPS technology, and software applications for field use
• Understand and effectively communicate complex statutes and Department rules, policies, and procedures, orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, agency staff, governmental officials, the regulated community, and the public and provide accurate and efficient customer service to all entities
• Develop policies, procedures, and rules to facilitate program development and implementation.

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Sick Leave
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources.