Groundwater Modeling Section Manager

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Job Summary:

This position oversees the activities of the Groundwater Modeling Unit within the Colorado River Management and Hydrologic Modeling Section. The Groundwater Modeling Unit is responsible for developing, updating, and maintaining the regional groundwater flow models housed in ADWR. The manager sets the modeling priorities in consultation with Department leadership, provides oversight, mentoring, and guidance to modeling staff, and defines and improves modeling processes and procedures. The manager also attends public meetings and gives presentations on technical projects or issues, helps provide and coordinate technical support for rulemaking, and supports modeling-related issues and applications throughout the Department.

Job Duties:

This position is responsible for administering the management responsibilities of the Groundwater Modeling Unit. This involves short and long-range planning of how ADWR’s groundwater models will be developed and updated, developing standard work and best practices for groundwater modeling, implementing review procedures to assure defensible, replicable, and scientifically-sound work products within the section, and overseeing the team of modeling staff. ADWR’s groundwater models are used in determining policy, regulations, rulemaking, and guidelines for administration statutorily mandated programs.

The Groundwater Modeling Manager provides technical expertise to direct the activities of the staff of professional hydrologists, geologists, and engineers; covering functions relating to modeling, hydrological/geological investigations, and other related needs.

The Groundwater Modeling Manager may also be included in hydrologic evaluations, process improvement plans, rulemaking, oversight and planning activities outside of the Groundwater Modeling Unit. Effective communication skills are critical, as the manager may be needed to represent the Department at various meetings, hearings, conferences, and negotiations; and prepare and/or brief Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors, and the Director on hydrologic aspects of important problems/programs as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of and experience with the following:

• The development and use of groundwater models using the USGS software MODFLOW
• Hydrogeologic analyses specifically involving groundwater models
• Software that supports model development and large dataset analysis, such as GIS and Python
• Project management principles and techniques across the full project life cycle, from conceptualization to delivery
• Managing direct reports
• Water resources management within Arizona, including ADWR’s role in carrying out statutory requirements in AMAs, INAs, and rural areas
• How the legislative and executive processes affect water management practices and impact ADWR’s mission and functions

Skills in the following areas:

• Use of MODFLOW
• Use of ArcGIS (or equivalent) and Python / R or other scripting to facilitate workflows
• Designing and conducting groundwater modeling investigations and hydrologic analyses to address water quantity, planning, and management challenges
• Application of hydrologic principles and methods to address technical problems
• Leading technical teams
• Process improvement and problem-solving
• Organizational planning and management of professional staff
• Effectively communicating with diverse groups of stakeholders, such as private citizens, academic institutions, local governments, and non-profit organizations
• Public speaking
• Technical writing

Ability to:

• Lead groundwater modeling projects and hydrologic studies while ensuring technical quality
• Supervise and mentor staff, including professional development
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, establish priorities, and adapt to changing needs
• Analyze and interpret a wide variety of technical reports and develop sound recommendations for the Director and leadership regarding groundwater modeling matters
• Provide technical oversight on all stages of groundwater modeling
• Collaborate closely with Department and external staff with backgrounds in diverse disciplines
• Communicate complex information clearly to the public, Department staff, other government agencies, elected officials, and stakeholders in formal and informal settings

Selective Preference(s):

Must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Geology, or a related technical field with at least 8 years of experience in groundwater hydrology and related geologic work, or Master’s degree and six (6) years of related experience or a PhD and (4) years of related experience.

Registration in the State of Arizona as a professional Geologist or Engineer, or the ability to obtain registration through comity, is required if available. If not available, professional certification through an accredited institution is required.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

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

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

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
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will b ecome effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

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. The Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.