Water Engineer - Division of Water Resources

The Division of Water Resources is seeking a full-time Interstate Water Engineer to join our team. As an Interstate Water Engineer, you will become an expert on the Arkansas River Compact, related agreements, and operational documents between the States of Kansas and Colorado, and the Kansas irrigation ditch system. This position includes gaining an understanding of Colorado surface water and groundwater operations to monitor, analyze, and protect the Kansas supply from the Arkansas River. There will be meetings and field work in both Colorado and Kansas.

This position will remain posted until filled.

Location: This position is located at the Garden City Field Office in Finney County, Kansas or at KDA-DWR’s headquarters in Manhattan, Kansas.

Job Summary:

This position is part of the Interstate Water Issues team focusing on the operational and compliance aspects of the Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact (Compact).

This position:

• Participates in the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of operational policies and guidelines related to the Compact, including U.S. Supreme Court decrees and various agreements between Kansas and Colorado, to protect Kansas' interests in its Arkansas River water supply.
• Monitors and analyzes Colorado operations, including Colorado ditch diversion accounting using Colorado's real-time streamflow data and accounting; water accounting related to various Colorado regulatory requirements; and water accounting in John Martin Reservoir. 
• Identifies any issues, engages the Kansas team, and works with Kansas, Colorado, and/or federal officials as necessary to timely resolve such issues.
• Participates in regular meetings with federal agencies responsible for federal facilities and structures that measure, control, or impact water supply available to Kansas; participates in Colorado operational meetings relevant to the Compact and the Arkansas River Basin in Colorado and Kansas; and gives informational presentations and updates to various stakeholder groups.
• Helps to carry out the work of the Arkansas River Compact Administration including reviewing meeting transcripts, preparing data, drafting and reviewing reports, and other administrative duties as may be required.
• Supports the review and evaluation of annual compact compliance data exchange between the states and the evaluation of compact compliance; and helps the Kansas team work toward better data-driven decision models in Kansas.
• Performs field verification of Colorado compliance actions and monitors the various Colorado water diversions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be physically able to conduct field inspections.
• Must be able to travel in-state and out of state including overnight.
• Must have and maintain a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
• Education: Bachelor of Science in engineering
• Licensing & Certification: Engineering Trainee Position (Working towards obtaining an Intern Engineer Certificate), Engineering Associate Position: (Intern Engineer Certificate recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions), Professional Engineer Position (Professional Engineer License recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions)

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required):

• Knowledge of agriculture, water systems and Kansas Water Law and regulations.
• Experience with water rights administration, hydrologic analysis, and water management.
• Technical experience in conducting hydrologic studies or investigations and reporting results.
• Coursework or experience in water resources, hydrology.