TUCSON WATER HYDROLOGIST

Tucson Water is the second largest water utility in Arizona, serving over 730,000 customers over a 390 square mile service area. Tucson Water is recognized internationally as a leader in water conservation, sustainability, and service. Our employees are proud stewards of our community’s most precious natural resource, working to embody the utility’s motto of “Pride in Service.”

The Source Water Division of the Tucson Water Department is seeking a Hydrologist to support our Recharge/Special Projects Unit in diverse projects including underground storage of water through aquifer recharge, regulatory compliance, and well drilling oversight.  This is professional-level work requiring good communication skills, good project management skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.  Additional tasks may include data collection and management, report writing, groundwater flow modeling, the production of maps and figures using GIS software, permit acquisition and compliance, and public outreach.  A strong background in Hydrology and/or Geology is required.

This is a hybrid telecommuting position where work is completed in the office and virtually. This model may change based on future business needs. The successful candidate will work from home and must abide by the terms and guidelines in the City of Tucson Telecommuting Administrative Directive 2.01-19 to include:

• Must have a minimum of 50 Mbps to connect to the internet 
• Shall designate and maintain a dedicated workspace that is quiet, clean, and safe, with adequate lighting and ventilation

Manages underground water storage projects. Evaluates technical data to support water planning and management, water resource development, and regulatory compliance programs.

The essential duties include but are not limited to:

• Manages recharge projects, including permit acquisition and regulatory compliance, construction, project planning and management, water quality, water quantity monitoring and analysis, numerical groundwater flow modeling
• Prepares and submits Compliance Reports to regulatory agencies
• Maintains the Utility's Hydrologic Databases
• Compiles and analyzes data and information for internal and external customers
• Supports water-level monitoring and other field-based compliance activities
• Provides technical support for long range planning activities
• Critically reviews and evaluates assembled data to ensure quality control
• Reviews and assists in field-based data collection
• Produces maps and figures using GIS software
• Coaches and mentors Engineering Associates and Hydrologic Interns including contributing to performance evaluations as needed
• Provides well drilling contractor oversight
• Prepares field logs, lithologic logs and cross-sections using software such as Strater Log
• Conducts aquifer testing and aquifer test data analysis
• Conducts public outreach and coordination with the Public Information Office and coordinates with other stakeholders. Prepares and presents water resource information for both technical audiences and community groups
• Develops and implements educational outreach at recharge facilities in coordination with the Public Information Office

Minimum Education Level & Type: Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Experience Qualifications: At least 2 years experience in water resource development or environmental management

Valid and Unrestricted D - Driver's License

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience related to the essential duties which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of this position may be considered.

The ideal candidate will possess the above minimum qualifications as well as relevant education and experience in the areas listed below: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Hydrology, Geology, or a closely related field
• Knowledge of pertinent local, state, and federal regulations and policies, as it relates to water resources and environmental compliance
• Familiarity with Microsoft Access
• Familiarity with Groundwater Vistas and MODFLOW
• Experience in data management and analysis related to hydrologic or environmental projects
• Familiarity using GIS software
• Knowledge of surface and groundwater hydrology
• Knowledge of soils logging and groundwater well drilling installation
• Experience using software to analyze physical and chemical aquifer parameters
• Knowledge of aquifer testing and groundwater sampling
• A desire to learn and a positive attitude
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to manage all aspects of a project with minimal direction
• Ability to communicate within and across teams
• Ability to communicate with internal and external customers, stakeholders, and the public
• Flexibility working in a dynamic workplace including evolving digital tools, changing hybrid environment, shifting priorities and projects

***You are encouraged to print this bulletin because it contains important dates and information that will not be available online once this position closes.***

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated on the education and work experience in their employment profile and the responses to their supplemental questions. The highest scoring applicants will then be invited to participate in a Virtual Teams Oral Board interview.   

• Virtual Teams Oral Board Interviews will be held August 19 and August 22, 2022 (as needed)

Upon completion of all examination processes, the highest scoring applicants will be placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  An applicant's ranking on the Civil Service list will be based on their final score which will be calculated as:      

• 10% of your rating for education and work experience
• 90% of your virtual oral board interview rating  

This recruitment will establish a Civil Service List that may be utilized to fill vacancies in this classification occurring at Tucson Water within the next 6 months. Post list hiring interviews may be conducted prior to final selections. 

Please contact Roxie.Escarcega@tucsonaz.gov at least 48 hours prior to the evaluation if you are in need of an Americans with Disabilities Act-related accommodation during the testing process.

Veterans, Native American, or Disability preference points will be added to the final score for those that are placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  If you qualify for preference points as outlined in the Employment Profile, you must upload your documentation as part of the application process. The DD 214 must be a copy that indicates characterization of service.  

**The City of Tucson values the safety of our employees, our residents, our community, and our visitors. In support of these values, if you are selected for this job, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except when vaccination is not medically advised or violates your sincerely held religious beliefs. If you are invited to join our team, you must submit proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to your initial HR representative, or you must request an exemption from your representative. New employees must either provide proof of vaccination or be granted a medical or religious exemption before working with the City of Tucson.**

Communication during this process will be sent via email to the email address on file, so please ensure your browser accepts emails from jobs@tucsonaz.gov and check your email account regularly; this may include your junk box/spam filter.  Failure to respond or follow instructions may result in disqualification.

To ensure accurate payroll information for tax purposes, the successful candidate will need to provide their original Social Security Card or original letter from the Social Security Administration with their social security number prior to beginning work with the City of Tucson.

The City of Tucson hires lawful workers only - US citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization - without discrimination. Federal immigration laws require all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its efforts to meet the law's requirements, the City of Tucson participates in the E-Verify program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid employers in verifying the eligibility of workers.

Retired City of Tucson employees receiving benefits from the Tucson Supplemental Retirement System who are considering reemployment with the City should be aware that pursuant to Section 22-37(g) of the Tucson City Code, retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of reemployment with the City of Tucson unless you have been separated at least twelve consecutive months before returning to work AND you return to a non-permanent employment classification. Creditable service does not accrue during any reemployment period.