Water Resources Engineer

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder! Application Deadline: January 19, 2024 Hiring Range: 98,800.00 - 120,848.00 For part-time salaried positions, the posted Hiring Range is adjusted based upon the Scheduled Weekly Hours divided by 40. If the adjusted salary rate falls below the FLSA exempt threshold, salary will be paid on an hourly basis. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Benefits for this position can be found here: Non-Union/BMEA Benefits Job Description Summary: Water Resources Engineer Under general direction, the Water Resources Engineer takes a lead role in water resources activities associated with water supply and demand analyses and planning, water conservation program development and implementation, irrigation ditch matters, and other related water resources duties as required. This position functions as a member of the Utilities supervisor team and is responsible for supporting a culture of efficient and effective service delivery based on a foundation of trust, teamwork and support at all staff levels. Job Description: Water Resources Engineer ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Supervising & leading Supervise and support water resources and water conservation staff to achieve a supportive culture where teamwork, employee development, coaching and mentoring and candid feedback are prioritized. Develop work plans for staff. Direct and collaborate with staff performing water conservation-related education, outreach and public engagement activities. Think strategically about planning efforts and analyses to align with broader city and department goals and values. Source water supply engineering analysis Lead and direct water rights and water resources engineering analyses to support Utilities’ water rights protection efforts, water rights development, water supply development and water court proceedings. Perform engineering analyses as appropriate. Coordinate with staff on long- and short-term operational planning and implementation. Manage drought decision process and oversee coordination of drought plan implementation. Provide water resources and water rights-related support to other city departments. Provide engineering support for city’s dam safety program. Long-term water supply planning efforts Think strategically about water supply planning and water supply development to reliably meet current and future needs of the city. Lead and manage planning efforts, studies and evaluations associated with long- and short-term water supply planning, drought protection and climate change. Oversee and direct water supply model development and related analyses. Perform model operations and analyses as appropriate. Coordinate source water protection and planning studies with other work groups. Provide raw water supply system operation and water rights information to the public and other city departments. Represent Utilities in regional water supply coordination and collaboration efforts. Water demand and water efficiency planning efforts Think strategically about water efficiency practices and water demand management to align with broader city and department goals, policies and values. Lead and manage water efficiency planning efforts and studies. Lead or perform water demand analyses and studies. Develop water conservation program goals and coordinate with water conservation staff to develop, direct and/or implement the water conservation program. Irrigation ditch company matters Hold board of director leadership position in irrigation ditch companies. Manage resolution of public concerns associated with urban irrigation ditches and coordinate with staff and regional water users as appropriate. Support city-related projects that affect ditch easements including advising on ditch rights and responsibilities and development of ditch-related agreements. Provide irrigation ditch information to the public and other city departments. Project management and source water capital improvement program Manage consultants and contractors supporting water resources engineering and planning efforts and source water capital improvement projects. Prepare and administer contract documents. Direct contractor and consultant work efforts. Manage project budget. Perform field inspections of construction activities and approve and implement minor design and scope changes as necessary. Coordinate with operations and engineering project management staff as appropriate. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Works with Water Resources Senior Manager and, for relevant topics, takes a lead role in written and verbal presentations to the Water Resources Advisory Board, City Council, other agencies and groups and the public. Assists with creation and maintenance of water resources related information on city website. Performs other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Professional Competencies: Effective Team Leader – Leads with emotional intelligence and works to build a high-trust, high-teamwork environment. Demonstrates commitment to mentoring, answering questions and providing a safe space to learn. Thinks strategically about long-term effects of program and project development and implementation and anticipates future consequences of current approaches and decisions. Relationship Builder – Actively listens to concerns and is open to the ideas of colleagues, city leadership and community members. Communicates tactfully and effectively, with excellent verbal and written communication and ability to gracefully set boundaries. Recognizes the importance of collaboration and can build lasting relationships and connections with other city employees, community members and external partners. Organized – Can proactively, independently and effectively plan, prioritize, and execute work in a timely fashion and meet project deadlines. Has attention to detail and can map out processes and effectively track progress. Is dependable and reliable. Flexible, Creative and Courageous – Adaptable to changing circumstances and priorities. Able to identify and suggest creative solutions to unique problems. Conflict Resolution – Comfortable with conflict and differences of opinion. Anticipates potential areas of conflict and proactively works to address and deescalate. Able to steer, redirect and/or reframe conversations in productive and collaborative directions. Experience with water resources and water supply planning and analyses. Knowledge of water rights administration and related engineering principles. Ability to lead projects, tasks and associated teams. Ability to prepare professional, concise and grammatically correct written documents and correspondence. Ability to communicate ideas, complex issues and technical information to a variety of audiences, both orally and in writing. Ability to adjust the level and depth of information provided based on a given audience. Proficient use of spreadsheets Ability to walk, kneel and climb while performing field inspections and operations and in confined spaces. Ability and willingness to work under adverse field conditions, including high elevation. Ability and willingness to work irregular hours, evenings, weekends and/or holidays, or respond to emergency calls, as required. Valid driver's license. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, physical science or related field. A minimum of six (6) years experience in project management, project coordination, program development and implementation, or strategic planning in a water resources or related field. Supervisory experience that includes performance review and professional development. Experience with water demand analysis principles and customer sector water use trends. Experience with water conservation program development, implementation, outreach strategies and program evaluation. Knowledge of water supply modeling principles and experience with model operation and analysis. Experience with Colorado Prior Appropriation Doctrine and water court proceedings. Experience with climate change and/or drought analyses. Experience with irrigation ditch operation, maintenance and easements. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering or physical science from an accredited university. Current registration as a Colorado Professional Engineer or ability to obtain within two years. Minimum four (4) years of demonstrated experience independently conducting or leading water rights engineering analyses, water demand analyses or water supply planning. SUPERVISION Supervision Received: Water Resources Senior Manager Supervision Exercised: Water Resources Project Manager, Utilities Intern WORKING CONDITIONS Physical Demands: Primarily sedentary physical work requiring the ability to lift a maximum of 20 pounds; occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing; frequent hand/eye coordination to operate personal computer and office equipment; vision for reading, recording, and interpreting information; speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with others. Periodic visits to field or construction work sites requiring walking over rough surfaces and climbing. Work Environment: Works primarily in a home or an office environment. Routine visits to work sites, including outdoor sites in a variety of weather conditions and where there is exposure to open trenches, confined spaces, moving equipment, traffic, mechanical and electrical equipment, pressurized liquids and gasses, chemicals and open water. Travel and local commuting between city office buildings and other Boulder locations can be expected. Machines and equipment used include but are not limited to the following: Hand tools, power tools, water measuring devices, water flow recording devices, water system operating equipment, valves, ditch headgates, motor vehicles, four-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, skis, and snowshoes. Frequent use of standard office equipment including computers and mobile devices. Additional Job Description: Updated July, 2023 The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to HR@bouldercolorado.gov. The City of Boulder is a great place to live, work, grow and play. With over 300 miles of dedicated bikeways and more than 150 miles of hiking trails, Boulder values active lifestyles and access to nature. Forty-five thousand acres of land provide open space for parks and a green belt around the city. With world class restaurants and art and music venues, The City of Boulder values diverse culture. Respect is one of our five City Values (including Customer Service, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation) and we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and support our differences across all spectrums, including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, age, disability and sexuality. Through our focus on Racial Equity, our employee benefits, and the many programs resources we offer our staff, we continually strive to weave respect for one another into the fabric of our organization. Add your voice and talents to the City of Boulder and help us grow in service excellence for an inspired future.