Water Resources Specialist 3 (Ama)

DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

The mission of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is to safeguard the health, safety, and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving, and enhancing Arizona's water supplies in a bold, thoughtful, and innovative manner.

ADWR is seeking a talented, committed water resource professionals to join the Statewide AMA Section.

Water Data Analyst

(Water Resources Specialist 3)

Water Planning Division/Statewide AMA Section

WWW.AZWATER.GOV

 

Job Location:

1110 W. Washington St. Suite, 310
Phoenix, AZ 85007

 Hybrid work schedule (some work in the office and some work from home) is available for this position.

Posting Details:

Salary: $55,000 - $75,000

Grade: 23 

This position is funded for a period not exceeding two years.

Closing Date: 

Job Summary:

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is seeking a Water Data Analyst to support Arizona’s long-term water management strategies. This role is ideal for someone with strong data skills and a desire to use those skills to understand and inform environmental policy, in close collaboration with stakeholders and agency leadership. The ideal candidate will thrive in a data-driven environment and be passionate about leveraging data to inform water policy, program evaluations, and regulatory decisions.

As a Water Data Analyst, you will:

• Manage, analyze, and interpret complex datasets to support water resource planning, conservation initiatives, and regulatory frameworks within Arizona’s Active Management Areas (AMAs).

• Utilize tools such as Excel, Power BI, ArcGIS, SQL, Python, and R to compile and visualize data, conduct scenario simulations and forecasting, and to share summarized data with internal and external stakeholders.

• Synthesize geologic, hydrologic, and regulatory data to inform policy development and legislative initiatives.

• Engage with policymakers and stakeholders to understand their needs, translate them into actionable analyses, and improve decision-making processes.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of current water programs, recommending process improvements and policy enhancements.

This position is split 50/50 between:

1. Program data compilation and process improvement – refining data analysis methodologies, improving reporting processes, and ensuring data-driven decision-making.

2. Expanding policy analysis expertise – understanding the intersection of data, water governance, and Arizona’s legislative priorities.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

• Collect, clean, and analyze large datasets related to groundwater, surface water, water demand, and conservation programs.
• Develop statistical models and forecasts to assess water availability and long-term sustainability trends.
• Integrate internal and external data sources to create more comprehensive analyses of Arizona’s water resources.
• Translate technical information and analysis into clear, actionable insights for policymakers, leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Support legislative and regulatory efforts by providing quantitative analyses, scenario modeling, and forecasting to assess policy impacts.
• Work closely with leadership to refine analytical methodologies and develop new approaches for water resource assessments.
• Identify opportunities for process streamlining and efficiency improvements during off-seasons.
• Present findings through technical reports, data visualizations, and stakeholder presentations.
• Contribute to the development of water conservation strategies and regulatory initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Advanced data analytics, statistical modeling, and scenario planning.
• Arizona’s water policy framework, legislative priorities, and regulatory mechanisms.
• Hydrological and geological principles related to aquifer health and water supply sustainability.
• Stakeholder engagement strategies and how to translate stakeholder needs into data-driven analyses.
• Available datasets, research methodologies, and regulatory programs relevant to water resource management.

Skills in:

• Data manipulation, statistical analysis, and database management.
• Utilizing Python, R, SQL, Power BI, ArcGIS, and Excel for data processing and visualization.
• Strong technical writing and the ability to communicate complex data in an accessible way.
• Process improvement and identifying efficiencies in program workflows.
• Critical and creative thinking – synthesizing data and policy to develop both granular and large-scale forecasts.
• Stakeholder communication – translating technical findings into policy recommendations and translating stakeholder needs into technical actions.

Ability to:

• Analyze trends, integrate data sources, and develop forecasting models that inform water policy decisions.
• Evaluate and improve existing water programs through a data-driven approach.
• Work effectively both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Develop technical reports and presentations tailored to different audiences, from scientists to policymakers.
• Bridge the gap between technical analysis and policy implementation, supporting ADWR’s mission and legislative objectives.

Selective Preference(s):

7 years professional experience in water resource management, or

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years professional experience in water resource management, or

a Master’s degree and 3 years professional experience in water resource management.

Candidates that do not meet these requirements may be considered for a Water Resources Specialist 2 position. 

Applicable degrees may include planning, agricultural and/or natural resource management, environmental planning, agricultural and/or natural resource economics, or other related field

Preferred degrees: Data Science, Environmental Science, Economics, Natural Resource Management, Engineering, or related fields.

Strong Excel skills, GIS proficiency, and research experience in water policy or environmental data analysis. 

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Must possess a valid driver’s license if driving is a job requirement.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The Arizona State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Sick Leave
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts 
• Flexible work schedule

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement system (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment. The current contribution rate is 12.27%.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.