Job Description Summary

The Office of Planning of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the team supporting Texas’ respected regional and state water planning program. The work involves performing complex (journey-level) project management work to advanced (senior-level) engineering work for the regional water planning program and state water plan activities primarily within the Water Supply Planning Division. This new position will provide technical support and advisement regarding a wide range of primarily water supply planning-related activities including development of contract and technical guidance, review of water plans and reports, developing and overseeing contracted studies. Contributes to the development of the state water plan and related initiatives, and provides support and technical review of a variety of materials in support of the agency’s mission to lead the state's efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas.

This Water Supply Technical Lead position serves as an advisor on engineering-related and technical matters to the Deputy Executive Administrator of Planning and may oversee and review work conducted by planning staff. Ensures that regional and state water supply planning work performed by and on behalf of the TWDB complies with Board rules and is based on generally accepted engineering practices. Participates in the development of internal procedures and processes, new agency initiatives that support water supply planning, development, and funding programs and make recommendations related to eligibility of projects for funding, including related to the SWIFT program, and ensures that related work complies with engineering-related program requirements. 

Ideally, this person will have knowledge of and experience: developing water supply plans at the local, regional, and state level including planning, designing and supporting construction of a variety of large and small scale water supply projects; performing surface water and groundwater availability modeling; developing water demand projections; in the field on civil projects; developing engineering cost estimates for civil projects and be generally familiar with public finance; possess excellent judgement, decision-making, and communication skills; be capable identifying various risks associated with water supply planning and projects; and have experience developing, negotiating, and overseeing technical contracts and contractors.

Represents TWDB at assigned meetings and engagements, serves as an information source for team members, agency management and leadership, and external stakeholders, and provides training for TWDB staff on related technical matters. Works under general to limited supervision, with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Deputy Executive Administrator (DEA) of the Office of Planning (OOP).


Essential Job Functions

• Serves as an advisor and expert regarding engineering and technical matters related to the water supply planning division including the regional and state water planning program areas.
• Participates in and contribute to the development, writing, review, and communication of the State Water Plan.
• Supports updating existing and developing new and innovative approaches, tools, and/or methodologies to incorporate into the water planning program and State Water Plan including related to improving long-term infrastructure planning in the face of uncertainty.
• Reviews, edits, summarizes, and/or comments on OOP draft products, agency documents, external reports, and a variety of other written technical and non-technical materials.
• Interacts with and supports a variety of stakeholders including regional water planning groups and their technical consultants.
• Identifies technical needs and data gaps and develops relevant engineering recommendations and guidance to support Texas’ water supply planning program and agency leadership.
• Performs a variety of technical reviews and updates and, as necessary, oversees applicable reviews conducted by other reviewers.
• Performs a variety of reviews of contract documents, correspondence, Board items, informational materials, analyses, and data-intensive and technical materials in support of the Director of Water Supply Planning and the Deputy Executive Administrator.
• Performs, oversees and/or project-manages special studies and legislative reports and other tasks as assigned including work related to the state water planning costing tool and interactive state water plan.
• Supports the review and development of various planning methodologies including related to population and water demand projections and risk and vulnerability assessments.
• Evaluates program needs and performs research regarding technical matters and develops processes and procedures to support meeting those needs for the Office of Planning.
• Coordinates across agency offices on water supply related initiatives including regarding scientific efforts and other matters including related to climate and uncertainty.
• Develops and manages grant, professional, and research contracts including developing scopes of work and budgets, negotiating contracts, and overseeing the contract performance.
• Supports the agency development of socioeconomic impact analyses produced on behalf of regional water planning groups.
• Organizes, develops, and runs technical workshops/webinars in support of the regional water planning program.
• Supports technical reviews, program requirements, and coordination related to the agency funding programs.
• Serves as project manager, as needed to monitor internal project schedules, budgets, and deliverables of internal initiatives.
• Assists the DEA and OOP management in identifying process improvements and creates tools to support the program.
• Coordinates with various federal and state agencies as appropriate.
• Promotes an environment that encourages collaboration, exchanges of ideas, teamwork, accountability, professional development, and improvement in performance.
• Conducts outreach efforts, including public speaking, presenting to the agency Board or Legislature.
• May train and supervise the work of others.
• Remains informed of changes and trends in water supply planning and water resources management, including pertinent laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards and appropriately applies them as needed.
• Supports the flood planning program including assisting in the review of draft Regional Flood Plans, developing the State Flood Plan, and related activities, as directed.
• Identifies and participates in internal and external job-related trainings.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Assists with maintaining master hard copies and electronic copies of TWDB personnel information, policies, procedures, guidelines, checklists, forms and reference materials.
• Assists with any special projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Engineering or a related field.
• Engineer IV/Project Manager III - Five to seven years of work experience in engineering or related field.
• Licensed:
  • Engineer IV - Licensed as a Professional Engineer by the State of Texas.
  • Project Manager III – Licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) in another U.S. state and must obtain a Texas PE license within six months of hire.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil/environmental engineering, water resources planning, or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible professional work experience managing projects/programs and supervising staff.
• Experience developing and managing professional services contracts including developing scopes of work, budgets, and negotiating contract amendments.
• Knowledge of water rights, water supplies, water providers, and water resource issues in Texas.
• Experience performing water availability modeling in Texas.
• Experience performing hydrologic and groundwater availability modeling.
• Experience developing water supply and asset management plans for wholesale and retail water supply utilities.
• Experience in the development and construction of water supply projects, including field experience.
• Experience in Texas’ regional water planning process.
• Familiarity with public finance and socioeconomics.
• Knowledge of and experience with floodplain management, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, mapping of flood risk, and identification and implementation of flood risk reduction projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to Water Supply Planning Department, water supply project design, development, permitting, and construction.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, and procedures.
• Skills in the use of logic to assess options and make decisions based on a variety of factors and risks.
• Skills in anticipating and engaging with complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Skills in comprehending and concisely summarizing technical material.
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Access.
• Skills with ESRI ArcGIS software and spatial analysis
• Skills in evaluating, analyzing, and managing large amounts of data.
• Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
• Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on-time with little or no supervision.
• Ability to use deductive, inductive, and mathematical reasoning.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance and clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to stand/sit/move with or without accommodation to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work shifts that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to train others.