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/about-us 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
• 10 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.

 

This work unit exists to serve the needs of the public and to preserve, protect, develop and maximize the beneficial use of the State’s present and future water supplies through the distribution of native and non-native waters according to the laws of the State of Colorado, the policies and regulations of the State Engineer, and the terms and conditions of judicial decrees pertaining to the diversion, storage, and use of water.

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) hydrographic program is critical to the administration of Colorado water rights and interstate compacts.  The hydrographic program provides the information used to determine the daily surface water supply. The data generated by the hydrography program is also used by many other interested parties such as emergency managers monitoring potential floods, water rights owners evaluating the use of their water rights and modelers needing to inform policy analysts and decision makers regarding the changes in Colorado stream volumes.
 
The hydrographic program is modeled after and relies upon the operating standards established by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS). The DWR program is also called upon to provide expert testimony regarding the design, construction and use of diversion structures (structures that take water away from or release water to the stream as directed by Colorado water rights) and compact stream gages (in stream measurement structures used to demonstrate compliance with interstate compacts).

*There are currently no remote or virtual work schedule options for this position. 
* Interviews for this position may be conducted in person.

The Staff Hydrographer position includes measuring and evaluating data to determine the stream flow quantity at assigned stream gaging stations, and maintaining such gages; measuring water flow in canals and ditches in support of state Water Commissioners; servicing, calibrating, monitoring, and repairing all equipment associated with stream gaging stations, including telemetry equipment; inspecting water measurement structures, reporting on their accuracy and recommending solutions to any problems observed; and, evaluating and compiling official flow records for state and federal publication.

Specific job duties include but are not limited to:

 

Measurement and Collection of Data:
Establish stage-discharge relationships and compute discharge using hydraulic formulas for flumes, weirs, culverts, contracted openings, spillways or conveyance structures. This requires computation of discharge using in-stream measurements of velocities and flow cross sections. Computed discharge is analyzed, verified and compared with any established relationship at the station to adjust to existing conditions. This is done in coordination/cooperation with engineers and technicians of various cooperators. Evaluate, verify and compile water flow data using graphical and computer analysis to create an accurate official report of daily discharge for publication. Inspect, service, and calibrate all mechanical and electronic telemetry equipment relevant to the gaging station to ensure the quality and availability of water flow data.
 
Publish Annual Reports: 
Analyze previously collected data and prepare annual reports of daily streamflow at assigned gaging stations for internal use and provide reports to cooperators, other states and other agencies for use in litigation, interstate compact regulation, and interagency operational agreements.

Provide Peer Review for Streamflow Records:  

Perform peer review of streamflow records which have been completed and submitted for publication by the state and USGS.  Provide water measurement expertise for DWR in difficult to analyze physical situations.

Collaborates with professional engineers in studies involving run-off forecasting, seepage and recharge determinations, groundwater level monitoring and water flow determinations.  Assists in the preparation of internal reports documenting these studies.

Satellite Monitoring System Analysis:  

Collect and analyze data received from the satellite data reporting system and evaluate system diagnostics to detect errors in data transmission or data quality.  Separate decoding (office software) problems from equipment (field hardware) and physical gage operation problems at gaging stations.  Assist the Electronics Specialist as directed.

 Structure Inspection:

Inspect flumes and weirs for accurate flow measurement and prepare reports on problems and recommendations for solutions.

 

Other duties as assigned. 

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

AND

Five (5) years of professional experience in: Engineering or as a Physical Sciences Assistant or Technician in water resources. Experience must include water measurement and/or distribution, which included at least one year at the level of Engineering/Physical Sciences Technician I. 

Other acceptable experience:
Farming or Ranching with knowledge and experience with water use or measurement. 
Professional experience working for a ditch or canal company with knowledge and experience with water use or measurement, Training and/or experience in water measurement. 
 
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.

Substitutions: 
Satisfactory completion of course work from an accredited, non-correspondence college or university in engineering, geology, hydro-geology, water resources engineering, watershed science, natural resources, environment science, geography/GIS or other field related to the assignment may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required general experience. 

If you are using a degree to substitute for the required experience, you may be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts for verification of your qualifications if requested. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel 
• Proficiency and knowledge in water measurement techniques. 

Conditions of Employment: 

• Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated will be required to submit to twice-weekly serial testing. Testing details will be provided during the onboarding process. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination, or begin twice-weekly serial testing for COVID-19.
• Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. 
• 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.
• Ability and willingness to work independently in remote areas. 
• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds. 
• Ability and willingness to walk distances in varying terrain.
• Ability and willingness to work in inclement weather and in rivers/streams. 
• Ability and willingness to work in confined spaces. 

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.

 

• Application Required - completed for this announcement. 
• Cover letter Optional - uploaded as an attachment to your online application. 
• Resume Optional - uploaded as an attachment to your online application.

**Resumes and Cover Letters WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening.   

The Assessment Process 
The Colorado Constitution requires all appointments and promotions in the state personnel system be made according to merit and fitness.
 
Application materials will be reviewed by a Human Resource Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the position.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes and Cover Letters WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. 
 
Upon meeting the minimum qualifications, the next phase of the assessment process will consist of a Structured Application/Resume Review.  Utilizing your application materials, the review is a comparative analysis against the listed required competencies, job duties and/or preferred qualifications in this announcement to determine technical competence, depth and breadth of experience and job fit and in comparison to all other applicants for this position. 
 
Comparative analysis factors to be assessed:

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – How well rounded is your experience? Experience should be varied and not one-dimensional, covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement, and demonstrates progressively higher level of responsibility with a wide range.
• Job Fit – Experience evaluated to determine how well your experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position.  Current or recent experience is preferred.

Upload additional pages if necessary to fully explain your experience and accomplishments.  Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the deadline for application may result in your application not being accepted for this position and may affect your inclusion in future steps in the assessment process.

Additional questions to consider:

• Have you performed duties similar to what is described in this announcement?
• Were you thorough in your descriptions?
• Will the experience you listed allow you to stand out from the crowd?
• Will you be the candidate that could hit the ground running and have impact quickly?
• Does your application material specifically address the required competencies outlined in the announcement?