Colorado residents: DWR - Hydrographer (EPST II)

Colorado Department of Natural Resources

Alamosa, CO, USA 🇺🇸

  • Salary: $2,132.77 – $3,010.15 Biweekly
  • Location: Alamosa, CO
  • Job Type: Full Time
  • Department: Department of Natural Resources
  • Job Number: PEA 00498 04/23
  • Closing: 4/23/2023 11:59 PM Mountain
  • Hiring Pay Rate: Employees new to State Government will be paid on a bi-weekly basis.

Department Information

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADOAre 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/ 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
  • 11 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

 Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Division of Water Resources (DWR):

State Engineer’s Office

Our mission is to administer the waters of the State to maximize lawful beneficial use, ensure that dams and water wells are properly constructed and safe, and provide information about water resources to the public. Division of Water Resources

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) hydrographic program is critical to the administration of Colorado water rights and interstate compacts.  The administration of water rights in Colorado is accomplished by balancing the typical supply and demand analysis.  The state engineer relies upon hydrographers to determine the water available on a daily basis so that water can be allocated to the various water rights owners in that area.  
 
The hydrographic program provides the information used to determine the daily surface water supply, the leading source of water to meet the demand.  The data generated by the program is also used by many other interested parties such as emergency managers monitoring potential floods, water rights owners evaluating the use of their water rights and modelers needing to inform policy analysts and decision makers regarding the changes in Colorado stream volumes.

Description of Job

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO 
The purpose of this position is to measure and evaluate data to determine the stream flow quantity at assigned stream gaging stations, and maintain such gages; measure water flow in canals and ditches in support of state Water Commissioners; service, calibrate, monitor, and repair all equipment associated with stream gaging stations, including telemetry equipment; inspect water measurement structures, report on their accuracy and recommend solutions to any problems observed; and, evaluate and compile official flow records for state and federal publication.

Specific job duties include but are not limited to:

  • Performs discharge measurements (in-stream measurement of flow velocities and cross-sections) in rivers, creeks, canals and ditches using standard flow measurement tools and techniques.
  • Uses graphical and computer analyses to produce the historic streamflow record for assigned stream gaging stations by compiling, evaluating, and verifying stream stage data from electronic and mechanical recording devices; and evaluating and verifying stage-discharge relationships and stream flow measurements.  
  • Collect and analyze data received from the satellite data reporting system and evaluate system diagnostics to detect errors in data transmission or data quality.
  • Check historical records and prepare current records according to prescribed standard procedures in format for official publication.  
  • Separate decoding (office software) problems from equipment (field hardware) and physical gage operation problems at gaging stations.  
  • Recommends improvements to gaging stations to improve data quality and/or plans new gaging stations, including streamflow controls, cableways, and other appurtenances.  
  • Inspects flumes and weirs for accurate flow measurement and prepares reports on problems and recommendations for solutions.

Other duties as assigned.Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

OPEN TO STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY

Minimum Qualifications:High school diploma or GED 

AND 

Five years of work experience assisting engineers, scientists, or technicians with work related to engineering or physical science, which involves the use, measurement, and control or distribution of water. 

(Experience as a ditch rider, rancher or farmer that included regulating and measuring water flow through headgates, canals or streams, or experience managing irrigation and irrigation systems, scientific field investigations, municipal water operations, or other experience related water or natural resources is considered related experience.)  

Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Substitutions: 
Satisfactory completion of course work from an accredited, non-correspondence college or university in engineering, geology, hydro-geology, water resources engineering, watershed science, natural resources, environment science, geography/GIS or other field related to the assignment may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required general experience.  

If you are using a degree to substitute for the required experience, you may be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts for verification of your qualifications if requested.  

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
  • Knowledge and experience with Colorado water rights. 
  • Water measurement experience.
  • Excellent public service skills. 
  • Proficiency with Google and Microsoft suites. 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets. 
  • Other experience relevant to the use or management of water resources.

The current work arrangement for this position is as follows: 
(Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change)

  • This position will report daily to the Division Office located at 301 Murphy Drive Alamosa, CO 81101.

 (This position will at times have a responsibility to report to work during emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. The ideal candidate must be willing to live within sixty (60) minutes’ driving time, under normal weather conditions, of where the work station and/or equipment is located. 

Conditions of Employment: 

  • Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position.  (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR). 
  • Must be willing and able to possess and maintain a State of Colorado Driver’s License
  • Must be willing and able to travel daily throughout the water district.
  • Must have the ability to report to the work location that can include off-road conditions and rugged terrain. 
  • Must have the ability to independently access remote locations to complete work assignments within the district.
  • Must be willing and able to spend up to several hours per day standing and/or climbing up and down hills.
  • Must be willing and able to perform duties seven days a week if water conditions warrant during the irrigation season.
  • Must be willing and able to work overtime.
  • Must be willing and able to work outdoors in varying terrain and weather conditions.
  • Must be willing and able to work on weekends and holidays during the peak season as necessary.
  • Must be willing and able to work alone in remote areas.
  • Must be willing and able to perform physical tasks, which may include lifting up to 50 lbs.
  • Must be prepared to defend and support actions and records in depositions or court testimony.
  • Must be able to address frequent and detailed inquiries from attorneys, professional engineers and hydrologists from government and private agencies.

APPEAL RIGHTS:
It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, if you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.Supplemental Information

The Assessment Process 

  • All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. 
  • Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
  • Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement
  • Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication. 
  • This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

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. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Anna Kargobai-Murray, at anna.kargobai-murray@state.co.us.

ADAAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Anna Kargobai-Murray at anna.kargobai-murray@state.co.us at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

E-Verify

The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program’s Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Toll–Free Applicant Support – Technical Help

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues.   Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.

Agency: State of Colorado

Department: Department of Natural Resources

Address: 1313 Sherman Street, Suite 415, Denver, Colorado, 80203

Phone: 303-866-3311

Website: http://dnr.state.co.us


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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