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Job Description
Senior Water Resources Engineer Northern Water - 3.8 Berthoud, CO Job Details Full-time $130,338 - $173,524 a year 23 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Tuition reimbursement Paid time off Parental leave Employee assistance program Vision insurance Professional development assistance Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Teamwork Bachelor of Science Policy analysis Driver's License Bachelor's degree Professional Engineer Stakeholder relationship building Full Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY
Northern Water is seeking a Senior Water Resources Engineer to provide engineering support and analysis for Northern Water and the Municipal Subdistrict, focusing on the protection of native water supplies, water resource planning, water rights analysis, and the protection of Northern Water and Municipal Subdistrict yield and return flows. This individual will provide technical support and management to projects involving water rights administration, augmentation plan accounting and water system operations. The position will also conduct analyses of project operations and potential impacts related to technical aspects of water court, conduct hydrologic studies and investigations using water resource planning models, and prepares and manages various reports. The successful candidate will provide water resource engineering and subject matter expertise to support projects, policies, water supply development, water efficiency and drought planning efforts. The individual will assist in developing messaging for regional water issues, base supply protection and general water education, but participating in local, regional and statewide water meetings, stakeholder groups and planning studies. With an inviting culture and long-standing history, Northern Water is committed to hiring and retaining the best employees. Northern Water is growing and we're seeking employees who are passionately committed to helping us collect and deliver water to more than 1.1 million people and about 615,000 acres of irrigated farmland. Since 1937 our strong and stable reputation has attracted employees to be a part of our mission. We offer a workplace environment that offers great culture and collaboration. With more than 195 employees, most are based at our beautiful Berthoud, Colo. headquarters, and about 25 are based in scenic Grand County on the West Slope of the Continental Divide. We employ a variety of professions including engineers, IT professionals, financial services, construction and maintenance workers, administrative and more. This is an exciting time to become a part of our organization as we embark on building two of the largest water storage projects in recent United States history. Construction on the Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project was completed in late 2025. We also anticipate starting construction on Northern Integrated Supply Project in the coming years, which will help meet the growing water needs of the region for generations to come. We're proud of our reputation as a leading water delivery, conservation and management organization, not only in the western United States, but across the nation. Come join our team!
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
The Water Supply Planning and Protection Department is responsible for planning, protecting, and developing water rights and supplies owned or controlled by Northern Water and its enterprises. The core duties of this Department include water supply planning, water rights protection, preservation of native water supplies and regional water collaboration. This Department serves as a voice for Northern Water and its water users to ensure Northeastern Colorado's water resources are protected on a local, regional, state and federal level.
GENERAL STATEMENT
This position is responsible for providing engineering support and analysis for Northern Water and the Municipal Subdistrict, focusing on the protection of native water supplies, water resource planning, water rights analysis and the protection of Northern Water and Municipal Subdistrict yield and return flows.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Water Rights Protection & Development Provides technical support and management to projects involving water rights administration, augmentation plan accounting, and water system operations. Develops, maintains, and reviews water rights accounting and submits monthly and annual accounting reports to the appropriate entity. Prepares technical reports that present the data, methodologies, and results of water rights analyses in a clear and concise format. Prepares technical reports and responses in support of Water Court applications and Statements of Opposition. Conducts analyses of project operations and potential impacts related to technical aspects of the water court process both as an applicant and as an objector. Conducts hydrologic studies and investigations using water resource planning models. Provides engineering support for Northern Water and Municipal Subdistrict projects to protect water rights, ensures that C-BT water is not transferred or used outside of the District boundaries and that C-BT return flows are protected and accounted for properly. Provides subject matter expertise, technical analysis, and negotiation support for efforts to protect base water supplies for continued use within Northern Water and Municipal Subdistrict boundaries. Protects, develops, and defends Northern Water and Municipal Subdistrict water rights and operations through involvement in the Water Court process, as well as through other public policy and stakeholder forums. Water Supply Planning Provides water resource engineering and subject matter expertise to support Northern Water and Municipal Subdistrict projects, policies, water supply development, water efficiency, and drought planning efforts. Researches and develops appropriate tools and methods to protect base water supplies. Develops and implements supply-side technical assistance and grant programs. Works with Northern Water and legal staff to recommend new or modified policies for Board approval. Provides technical review and comment on water planning studies, comprehensive plans, water master plans, water supply elements, and other related documents. Provides review and comment on water-related legislation. Assigns and directs work of professional and technical personnel and consultants, provides technical guidance and quality control checks. Regional Water Matters Assists in developing content and messaging involving regional water issues, base supply protection, and general water education. Participates in local, regional, and statewide water meetings, stakeholder groups, and planning studies to protect and advance Northern Water, Municipal Subdistrict, and Northeastern Colorado interests. Develops and maintains relationships with C-BT allottees, water users, and other key stakeholders. Provides technical support and subject matter expertise related to Interstate & Intrastate water matters including Endangered Species Recovery Programs, Interstate Compact matters, Wild & Scenic Rivers Alternative Management Plans, and local, regional, and statewide water planning efforts.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Education B.S. in Water Resources Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a similar field. Experience Minimum of seven years water resources or related professional work experience.
LICENSE, CERTIFICATE AND CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Professional Engineering License (PE) is required. Valid driver's license.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge Water resource engineering principles and fundamentals and their relevant applications to Northern Water and Subdistrict projects and operations. Understands and can demonstrate application of complex water rights, hydrologic modeling, and river/reservoir operations engineering studies and analyses. Knowledge of climate and hydrologic systems. Familiarity with the operation of the C-BT and Windy Gap Projects is desired. Familiarity with the planning and operation of complex water systems in Colorado is desired. Understanding of Colorado water law. Familiarity reading, interpreting, and administering complex agreements and water rights decrees. Familiarity with Interstate Compacts is desired. Skills Create and present technical information, reports, and presentations internally and externally. Organizational skills such as team concepts, task scheduling, and task prioritization. Work both independently and within a team. Builds relationships and works effectively with internal staff, senior management, Board of Directors, legal counsel, external water users, and other key stakeholders. Abilities Spreadsheet/database applications, statistical programs and program languages, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and word processing programs. Statistical and probability applications and forecasting tools relevant to water resources related problems. Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Walking and climbing stairs daily. Sustained operation of keyboard devices. Prolonged sitting, standing, and walking in performance of daily activities. Ability to lift, drag, or push boxes, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds. Must be able to meet the physical requirements of a post job offer physical examination. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Maintains a personal appearance appropriate for job position and image of Northern Water. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. Northern Water provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. Northern Water complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Northern Water also prohibits any form of workplace harassment in accordance with these laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$130,338.00 - $173,524.00 per year
Benefits:
Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance
