WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST 2-3 (Conveyances)

Serves as a Conveyances Specialist responsible for processing complex groundwater rights applications, with an immediate emphasis on water exchange applications, as well as conveyances of Irrigation Grandfathered Rights (IGFRs), relinquishments, and extinguishments. Independently reviews and processes applications; coordinates legal, program, technical, and reporting requirements across Department programs; ensures timely and accurate correspondence; and supports process improvements and workload management within the Conveyances Team.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week is required.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Responsibilities include:

• Review, process, and verify groundwater right conveyance and water exchange applications
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret, and integrate water resource management data
• Provide technical assistance and resources to internal and external customers via phone, emails, and in-person and online meetings
• Update, analyze and utilize GIS databases, maps, and tracking related to conveyances of groundwater rights and water exchanges
• Assist with the annual water withdrawal & use report processes
• Establish and document consistent and up-to-date processes and internal procedures for staff use
• Draft clear correspondence and guidance for external parties regarding complex application requirements Draft and revise internal documents that reflect the section's requirements and procedures for internal users
• Assist with compliance processes for the section, including tracking incoming applications, certificates, and adhering to completing Licensing Timeframe Reports requirements
• Assist in the development and maintenance of Department databases and in the development, maintenance, updating, imaging, and preservation of Department files and records
• Process financial deposits, receipts, and tracking time for billing purposes

Knowledge of:

• Arizona Revised Statutes, rules, and policies, particularly those governing groundwater rights, water exchanges, relinquishments, extinguishments, conveyances, permits, and annual water use reporting requirements
• Administrative and regulatory processes associated with application review, including completeness review, public notice, statutory and licensing timeframes, decision documents, and records management
• Current concepts and practices in water resource management
• Environmental, social, and economic aspects of water supply and utilization
• Information sources, research methods, and techniques utilized in water resource management
• GIS and ArcMap; accessing online county assessors maps, plat maps, and recorded documents, deeds, legal descriptions, aerial imagery and cadastral locations
• Database structure, data quality standards, and records retention requirements

Skills in:

• Applying a multi-disciplinary approach to resolve complex, sensitive, and visible water resource management issues
• Using a variety of software applications, databases, and statistical systems to organize/analyze/interpret water resource management data
• Researching maps, reports, records, and documents and in gathering information necessary to evaluate and process applications and generate reports
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders, including agency staff, governmental officials, the regulated community, and the public
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication

Ability to:

• Analyze situations, identify problem areas, propose and assist in implementing solutions
• Identify issues that require additional technical, legal, or policy review and coordinate with appropriate subject-matter experts to resolve them
• Coordinate projects and programs with internal staff, other governmental agencies, and the regulated public
• Independently manage complex, multi-step application processes while ensuring statutory, programmatic, and administrative requirements are met
• Develop knowledge of the Groundwater Code, AMA Management Plans, and Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Present technical information and program processes to varied audiences, both in writing and verbally
• Work effectively both independently and as a part of a team
• Maintain a customer service focus in interactions with clients, consultants, agency staff and others
• Handle State funds in a proper manner

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.