Department Information







OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS



NOTE : T he announcement for this position is being re-opened for additional recruitment . If you have already applied for the position, you are still in consideration and there is no need to submit another application .



If your goal is to invest in a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Our professionals are committed to supporting state government and the citizens of Colorado.



Our mission is to develop, preserve, and enhance the state's natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future citizens and visitors. In an effort to build diversity and inclusion we welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.



Customer service is a key component for every position across state government. We are focused on improving Efficiency (use of resources), Effectiveness (impact of our work), and Elegance (graceful service interactions).



The Colorado Water Conservation Board exists to advocate the protection, conservation, and development of water of the State in order to secure the greatest utilization of such waters and the utmost prevention of floods for the benefit of the present and future inhabitants of the State of Colorado.



This position is the Stream and Lake Protection Section (Section) which exists to develop, administer, and protect instream flow and natural lake level water rights within the context of the State's Instream Flow and Natural Lake Level Program ("ISF Program") by correlating the activities of mankind with some reasonable preservation of the natural environment through the: (1) appropriation and protection of instream flow ("ISF") and natural lake level ("NLL") water rights; and (2) acquisition and protection of water, water rights, and interests in water for instream flow use, in coordination with federal and state agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other entities and individuals. The Section also participates in collaborative efforts within Colorado's water community related to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and coordinates with other sections on implementation of Colorado's Water Plan. Currently, the work unit provides protection for approximately 9,250 miles of stream through over 1,600 instream flow and 480 natural lake level water rights within the state.





Description of Job



This position exists to perform, at the fully-operational level, the hydrologic, hydraulic, and

water right investigations and water resource studies for the appropriation, acquisition, and

protection of instream flow and natural lake level water rights. This position also provides, at

the fully-operational level, the complex hydraulic and hydrologic engineering analyses for

proposed water rights activities and other special studies. The ultimate purpose of such

analysis is to protect the Board's water rights for the reasonable preservation of the natural

environment. To accomplish this mission, the position must apply the widest range of theories,

principles, and concepts of hydrology, hydraulics, water rights, and water law to the problems,

programs, goals, and objectives of the Stream and Lake Protection Section.



Specific duties include but are not limited to:



Hydrologic Investigations and New Applications Performs complex hydraulic and hydrologic analyses required to determine water availability for instream flow appropriations and acquisitions

Reviews and determines the adequacy of biologic and hydrologic studies performed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the BLM, USFS, and other entities that recommend the appropriation of ISF and NLL water rights

Consults with Division Engineers and Water Commissioners on water availability and water use issues

Prepares technical ISF recommendation summary reports for the Board's consideration and is responsible for coordinating and collaborating with the AG's Office in the assembly of the technical records and information necessary for water court applications for ISF water rights

Utilizes GIS, DSS, and database information in the development of the reports

Recommends appropriate terms and conditions to resolve issues with other water right holders and is required to assist in preparing pre-hearing and rebuttal statements for contested recommendations

Presents the final ISF recommendations to the to the hydrologic science lead and new appropriation staff authority for review and approval, and disseminates those recommendations to the public Water Rights Investigations and Monitoring Reviews water court resumes to analyze and determine the potential for injury to ISF rights and presents conclusions to the legal protection senior authority

Makes recommendations on whether to file a statement of opposition and proposes language that would prevent injury to ISF rights

Monitors ISF water rights by utilizing the flow alert system, ISF DSS alert tools, and USGS and DWR real-time satellite gages

Analyzes hydrographs, decrees, stipulations, and other data, and consults with the Division Engineers and their staff to determine if the Board's ISF water rights are in priority

Coordinates with the new appropriations staff authority (PSRS III) on situations where ISF rights may be injured by out-of-priority diversions and recommends whether an official request for administration should be placed with the State Engineer's office to protect and enforce ISF water rights



Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights



OPEN TO STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY



The Colorado Constitution, Article XII, Section 13 requires that applicants for state classified government jobs be residents of Colorado, unless this requirement is waived by the State Personnel Board. This announcement does not include a residency waiver.



Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Water Resource Engineering, Natural Resources, Watershed Science, Water Law, Hydrology, Geology, Geography, or field of study directly related to the assignment AND two years of experience in water resource data collection and analysis; water resource management; or managing hydrologic studies. Substitutions

Work experience demonstrating competencies equivalent to the competencies learned through completion of the required education may be substituted for the education, but not the general experience.



Conditions of Employment Former employees of the State of Colorado must have concluded employment in good standing to be eligible for rehire

Must be willing and able to possess and maintain a State of Colorado driver's license

Must be willing and able to conduct frequent field trips throughout Colorado, one to five days at a time throughout the summer and into fall and occasionally during winter months. Approximately 4 weeks per year

Must be willing and able to move objects of up to 20 lbs.

Must be willing and able to be exposed to all types of weather, extreme hot or cold non-weather related conditions, wet and/or humid conditions, noise, vibration, and/ or working in a confined/restricted area

Must be willing and able to tolerate proximity to moving, mechanical parts, exposure to electric shock, working in high exposed places, and/or exposure to radiant energy Preferred Qualifications

The preferred candidate will have experience with Colorado's Decision Support Systems and its components (including HydroBase, data management interfaces and models) and other water resource modeling platforms, state water laws and interstate compacts. In addition, a graduate level degree in engineering or hydrology would be preferred. Appeal Rights: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Supplemental Information