Local recruitment: DWR - Hydrogeologist (PSRS I)

Colorado Division of Water Resources

Denver, CO, USA 🇺🇸

Salary: $2,277.69 – $3,334.15 Biweekly

Location: Denver, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: PEA 00516 05/23

Department: Department of Natural Resources

Division: Division of Water Resources

Opening Date: 05/15/2023

Closing Date: 5/30/2023 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 COLORADO
Are 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

Description of Job

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO 
 This work unit exists to provide geologic and hydrogeologic expertise necessary for the State Engineer and Division Engineers to administer the waters of the state of Colorado within the legal framework of the Colorado Revised Statutes and applicable rules.  The Hydrogeology Section collects and publishes hydrogeologic data and provides hydrogeologic advice, assistance, and guidance to the public and other governmental agencies including the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Oil and Gas Commission, and the Colorado Geological Survey.  The work unit monitors and inspects the construction of water wells in conjunction with the enforcement authorities of the Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors to ensure that well construction standards are followed to protect Colorado’s vital and limited groundwater resources and the public health.

Specific job duties include but are not limited to:

  • Decides whether the Water Well Construction Rule variance request can be granted and still be protective of existing water rights, maintain the aquifers’ natural protection against contamination, and prevent intermingling of groundwater from different sources.
  • Determine aquifer top and base depths (and elevations) and water-level conditions for the public and for permitting staff at specific well locations using all available geologic data including the use of geophysical well logs.
  • Assist in the determination of cumulative saturated aquifer materials for quantification of the groundwater available for appropriation, and to facilitate administration of groundwater within the Denver Basin Rules, Statewide Nontributary Rules, and other statutory requirements.
  • Reviews well completion reports and geophysical logs to determine actual producing intervals in water wells to confirm compliance with well permit conditions, statutes and rules and regulations.
  • Collect, compile, and analyze well groundwater-level data in monitoring areas across Colorado as assigned & develop and maintain databases containing results of annual measurements in Geotech Editor database and Hydrobase.
  • Select and qualify wells for connection to the USGS NGWMN internet portal, which  includes identifying wells with the appropriate accessibility, well construction, aquifer production interval, spatial distribution, and period of record.
  • The position must negotiate with internal and external customers to define problems, find a resolution, or confirm a rule violation.

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

OPEN TO STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment (such as earth sciences, geology, hydrogeology, geological engineering, engineering, natural or water resources, watershed science, geography, and geophysics).

Substitutions: 
 Appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis (Experience in hydrogeology, water resources, geology, geologic engineering, hydrogeological or geological field work, water-level monitoring, well design and installation, or other groundwater related work).

 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.

 If you are using a degree to meet minimum qualifications, 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 administration experience. 
  • Water measurement experience.
  • Excellent public service skills. 
  • Proficiency with Google and Microsoft suites. 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets. 
  • Experience with continuous water-level monitoring equipment and software.
  • 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)

  • Hybrid schedule – After sufficient in-office training a hybrid schedule may be available at the discretion of the supervisor – working in the office a minimum 2 days per week between Tuesday-Thursday, in combination with work from home as available. 

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 able to address frequent and detailed inquiries from attorneys, professional engineers and hydrologists from government and private agencies.
  • Must be willing and able to drive with occasional off-road driving/working outdoors in remote areas.
  • Travel (day trips and overnights) is occasionally required to perform necessary fieldwork for groundwater monitoring and to attend duty-related meetings around the state. 

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: https://dnr.colorado.gov/


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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