Only candidates who apply via email to (HR “at” TWDB.texas.gov) with an official State of Texas Application or through the WorkInTexas.com website will be considered for this position. View this position and apply at https://tinyurl.com/2be7k4th
Texas Water Development Board’s Mission – Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas and its citizens.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) endorses telecommuting and hybrid workplace plans, in addition to other flexible work alternatives. We offer competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work hours so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about these benefits and more visit: http://www.twdb.texas.gov/jobs/benefits.asp.
The Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities.
* Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
Job Description Summary
Performs moderately complex (journey-level; Manager II) to complex (journey-level; Manager III) managerial work administering the daily operations and activities of the TWDB Groundwater Technical Assistance Department and the Groundwater Data Team, which is part of the department. The Groundwater Technical Assistance Manager is responsible for managing and supervising department activities and for supporting the Groundwater Division’s mission to collect, interpret, and provide accurate and objective information on the groundwater resources of Texas to citizens, groundwater resource managers, policy makers, and law makers. The Groundwater Technical Assistance Department has a variety of functions, with staff serving in many ways as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including groundwater conservation districts, the general public, and other external stakeholders.
Work involves establishing goals and objectives, Developing guidelines, procedures, policies, rules, and regulations. Developing schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals. Coordinating and evaluating Groundwater Technical Assistance Department activities, developing and evaluating budget requests, and monitoring budget expenditures. Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others. Works under general supervision, with limited (Manager II) to moderate (Manager III) latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Director of the Groundwater Division.
Essential Job Functions
• Provides effective leadership and management of the Groundwater Technical Assistance Department.
• Ensures staff is equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively perform their duties.
• Develops and maintains cordial and informative relationships with groundwater conservation districts, groundwater management areas, and other external stakeholders.
• Develops and disseminates information on groundwater resources to the general public, groundwater resource managers, policy makers, and law makers.
• Ensures the provision of quality customer service from the Groundwater Technical Assistance Department and the Groundwater Division to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides presentations at public meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences to technical, and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborates with other Groundwater Division and TWDB departments to exchange knowledge, data, and to align projects and studies.
• Manages all project activities within the Groundwater Technical Assistance Department, providing technical direction and guidance.
• Monitors and reports Groundwater Technical Assistance Department work activities.
• Ensures program activities are coordinated for efficiency and are communicated effectively to agency management, including updates to TWDB Board members as needed.
• Evaluates Groundwater Technical Assistance Department performance, recommends, and leads improvements.
• Tracks achievement of performance measures related to responding to groundwater-related inquiries.
• Writes, reviews, and evaluates executive-level summaries, informational material, technical reports, memos, work process, and policy documents.
• May participate and assist in legislative bill review and analysis during Texas Legislative sessions.
• May serve on various committees related to groundwater in Texas.
• Supports Groundwater Technical Assistance Department administrative requirements related to organization, budget, and personnel.
• Develops and oversees department personnel, budgets, expenditures, and contracts.
• Authorizes Groundwater Technical Assistance Department hiring, separations, disciplinary actions, and employee performance rewards.
• Assigns job duties, conducts performance evaluations, clarifies roles and responsibilities, monitors and measures performance against goals.
• Manages the performance of direct reports, to include, timely completion of performance appraisals, and follow-through on disciplinary actions as needed.
• May serve as a contract manager for research studies, assists in training, and overseeing contract managers within the department.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
• May travel up to 10% of the time
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
• Graduation from accredited four-year college or university with a major in Geological Sciences, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Natural Resources, Public Administration, Public Policy, or related field.
• Manager II: Three years of demonstrable experience in leading or managing teams, programs, or studies relevant to the Groundwater Technical Assistance Department.
• Manager III: Five years of demonstrable experience in leading or managing teams, programs, or studies relevant to the Groundwater Technical Assistance Department.
• Experience preparing, writing, and/or reviewing technical reports.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
• Graduate degree from an accredited college or university with major in Geological Sciences, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Natural Resources, Public Administration, Public Policy, or related field.
• Licensed as Professional Geoscientist in Texas, Geoscientist-in-Training, or pursuing licensure as a Professional Geoscientist in Texas.
• Experience with Texas geology and groundwater resources.
• Experience with Texas water policy.
• Experience managing budgets and/or contract management.
• Experience communicating scientific and technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with stakeholders.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the Groundwater Technical Assistance Department and the Groundwater Division, and of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Knowledge of Texas water institutions/agencies and law.
• Knowledge of groundwater management in Texas and general familiarity with the duties, responsibilities, and practices of groundwater conservation districts.
• Knowledge of the joint groundwater planning process in Texas.
• Knowledge of scientific data collection, management, and interpretation, particularly for hydrogeologic data.
• Knowledge of budget processes, research techniques, program management processes, and techniques.
• Skills in understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams or other collaboration software.
• Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
• Skills in preparing, proofreading, routing, tracking, and maintaining accurate communications, including records, reports, documents, presentations, and correspondence.
• Skills in writing executive-level summaries, technical memos, reports, work process, and policy documents.
• Skills in the use of standard tools of the profession.
• Skills in project management and/or contract administration, including time-management and prioritization.
• Ability to define and implement a vision for programmatic enhancement, while conforming to statutory obligations.
• Ability to work with stakeholders to enhance program activities.
• Ability to convey complex information in an easy-to-understand manner.
• Ability to work with external entities to collaborate and request data pertinent to studies.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave, and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope, and nature of the work and work environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately, and on-time with little or no supervision.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly, and in order with infrequent errors.
• Ability to complete tasks and projects in a timely manner and persists until tasks are completed.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous, and accurate assistance, clear and concise communication to agency staff, as well as to employees of other political entities and the public both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment and cooperate with supervisors, co-workers, and others.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and schedule work in order to maintain regular progress on assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to stand/sit/move with no physical limitations or aids to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work days that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to assign and/or supervise the work of others.
