Deputy Division Engineer, Water Division 5

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

The Division of Water Resources has two open Professional Engineer positions in the Glenwood Springs office.   This position is at the PE III, Deputy Division Engineer level.  Be sure to look at the PE IV, Division Engineer posting as well.

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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

This work unit exists to serve the public and preserve, protect, develop, and optimize the beneficial use of the state's present and future water supplies.  This work unit exits to administer, distribute and regulate the water of the Colorado River according to the doctrine of prior appropriation, pursuant to Colorado Statutes, and in compliance with the Colorado River Compact.

This position exists to assist the Division Engineer in carrying out the statutory duties required of the Division of Water Resources and any written instruction of the State Engineer within the geographic area of Water Division Five: act as Division Engineer in his/her absence; assure integrity of the Prior Appropriations Doctrine while maximizing beneficial use of water; coordinate the regulation of water within the Division; consult with the Water Court; resolve disputes that exceed the abilities of Water Commissioners; supervise field and office personnel; assist the public through the Water Court process and well permit application process and in the understanding of water law, hydrology and water supply, and other water-related issues; prepare expert witness reports; consult with the Water Court regarding Water Court applications; respond to water user complaints and write reports summarizing the agency’s position; and negotiate or provide expert engineering support / testimony to litigate any conditions necessary to protect existing water rights.

Specific job duties include but are not limited to:

Water Rights Administration:  Collaborates with the Division Engineer, River Administrator, and oversees duties of Water Commissioners in the distribution and regulation of water from streams, aquifers, and reservoirs by determining the physical availability in relation to allocation principles to meet our statutory, compact, and constitutional obligations. Evaluate, coordinate and implement river operational procedures to maximize beneficial use of water stream systems without adversely impacting other users.

Supervision/Personnel Management:  Directs and oversees assigned staff by training, assigning work priorities, arbitrating disputes, providing technical support, monitoring and evaluating performance, and counseling on difficult situations or problems. Oversees the hiring and onboarding processes for vacant positions directly supervised and positions under Supervisees. Assists and provides guidance to Supervisees in all Human Resource tasks for employees under Supervisees.

Water Court Case Review and Disposition:  Using knowledge of surface and ground water hydrology, geology, advanced computer programs and Colorado water law, analyze Water Court applications, engineering reports and proposed decrees to ensure compliance with law, sound engineering principals, and guidelines of the Division; negotiate necessary conditions with applicant’s engineers and attorneys; create Court exhibits and testify as an expert to support Division’s position at trials; formulate effective litigation strategy in coordination with Assistant Attorney Generals; create detailed written comments /recommendations for review with the Water Court Referee each month.  Negotiates settlement of disputes in consultation with the State and Division Engineers, including stipulations to resolve lawsuits.

Public Assistance:  Meet with the public, both individually and groups, to explain general Colorado water law, augmentation plans, substitute water supply plans, enforcement actions undertaken and other matters related to the overall mission of the Colorado Division of Water Resources and Water Division 5. Meet with Water Conservancy Districts and water user organizations, water engineers and attorneys to discuss the requirements (and reasons for those requirements) of augmentation plans, substitute water supply plans, enforcement actions undertaken and other matters related to water administration. Provide presentations for conferences.

Water Rights Tabulation and Abandonment List: Maintains current and descriptive record concerning water rights, water right changes and court approved plans for augmentation, entering new water rights decrees within statutorily required deadlines.   Responsible for facilitating coordination meetings to maintain quality control and ensure others are following the accepted protocol for tabulation of new decrees.  

Prepares decennial lists of water rights meeting the criteria for abandonment as required by statute.  In developing the abandonment list, communicates standards for review, assigns staff tasks to query HydroBase data, and field inspect structures.  Prepares factual justification for proposed abandonments, considers objections, makes necessary revisions and disposes of any protests either through settlement or litigation, in consultation with the Division Engineer.

NJ Dams and Stock Tanks: Review notices of intent to construct non-jurisdictional structures and applications for stock tanks.  With notice/application information, satellite images, and Water Commissioner field inspections for each application, Correct/Add information on the NOI/application, and then determine that NOI/application is acceptable or make recommendations to applicant. Prepare approval/acceptance letters with terms and conditions for the Division Engineer’s signature.

Budget/OT: Tracks and Reviews spending activities for Division 5 and monitors expenditures to ensure Division 5 is within allocated Budget.   Projects spending needs through the end of the Fiscal Year, ensuring adequate funds are available to carry out statutory duties.  Identify equipment needs of the division and plans for capital purchases.  Approves overtime requests, tracks OT spending, and makes requests to SEO for OT money.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:
Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors.
OR
Current valid licensure as a Professional Engineer in the United States, and able to obtain licensure in Colorado within six (6) months of hire.