Idaho Falls, ID

Position Title: Water Resource Agent/Sr

Organization: Idaho Department of Water Resources

Location: Idaho Falls, WY

Position Overview:  IDWR is filling a vacancy for a Water Resource Agent/or Water Resource Agent, Senior in our Eastern Region office in Idaho Falls. The person in this position will support the technical needs of IDWR’s Water Allocation program, Water Right Enforcement & Compliance program, and Water Distribution program in Eastern Idaho. The Water Resource Agent/ or Water Resource Agent, Senior will conduct beneficial use examinations and make water right license recommendations, investigate unauthorized diversions, help resolve water right disputes, ensure water right compliance during curtailment orders, initiate enforcement actions, measure ground water diversions, and record annual diversion data.

Duties:

• Communicate with water users to facilitate water measurement and distribution compliance
• Respond to customer inquiries regarding water rights, filing requirements, statutes, rules, and policies
• Conduct beneficial use examinations, measure flow rates through open channel and closed conduit diversions and validate the development of water right permits for license review and approval
• Investigate potential unauthorized water diversions and evaluate compliance with water right conditions
• Interpret legal descriptions, survey plats, aerial photographs, and various maps to determine point of diversion and place of use locations
• Utilize geographic information systems to analyze aerial photography and satellite imagery to determine water right compliance

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

•  Some knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry to calculate water flow rates, pump efficiencies, water storage capacity, and/or land areas. Typically gained by successful completion of high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry classes.
• Good knowledge of hydrology, hydrogeology, hydraulics, and/or water measurement techniques for determining water quantity parameters such as flow rate, volume, pump efficiencies, and storage capacities. Typically gained by successful completion of at least one college-level course in hydrology, geology, or a similar natural resource field covering surface and groundwater principles OR at least two years of water-related field work experience for a water district, canal company, irrigation district, agriculture or natural resource development industry, or natural resource management agency.
• Experience interpreting public land survey legal descriptions utilizing at least one of the following: USGS quadrangle maps, survey plats, or similar cartographic material. Typically gained by successful completion of college coursework in a technical or scientific field that specifically included the interpretation of public land survey legal descriptions; OR at least six months of professional work experience in land surveying, cartography, geographic information systems, or a closely related field.

Senior Water Resource Agent (In addition to the minimum qualifications as listed above)

• Experience interpreting aerial photography, satellite imagery, global positioning system, or geographic information systems. Typically gained by successful completion of college coursework in Cartography, Geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geospatial Information, or a related technical or scientific field requiring interpretation of aerial photography or satellite imagery and use of GIS software; OR through at least 6 months of work experience interpreting aerial photography or satellite imagery and using GIS software as a regular part of the job.
• Experience interpreting public land survey legal descriptions utilizing at least one of the following: USGS quadrangle maps, survey plats, or similar cartographic material. Typically gained by successful completion of college coursework in a technical or scientific field that specifically included the interpretation of public land survey legal descriptions; OR at least six months of professional work experience in land surveying, cartography, geographic information systems, or a closely related field.
• Experience applying federal and state regulations and laws pertaining to water appropriation and/or use in a work setting. Typically gained by at least two years related experience as a water resource agent, hydrologist, paralegal, or similar position that requires an understanding of natural resource laws.

Additional Qualifications

• Must possess a valid driver’s license

Desired Qualifications

• Experience using GIS applications such as ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro
• Experience applying the Prior Appropriations Doctrine in a work setting
• Experience interacting with upset or confrontational individuals

Salary/Pay: $24.50/hr – $28/hr 

Application Deadline: 04/14/24

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.