Watershed Scientist

Job Description

Denver Water’s  External Affairs Division/Environmental Planning Section  is currently seeking a qualified candidate to assist us as a Watershed Scientist.  Under general supervision, the Watershed Scientist will serve in a technical role as part of a team that will develop and implement Denver Water’s watershed management program. The key goals include preserving high water quality for drinking water supplies, well-functioning forest health and ecological systems, and cooperative partnerships with numerous stakeholders and groups interested in watersheds and source water protection.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support key roles in team efforts to coordinate, plan and implement a program for Denver Water’s watershed activities including forest management, water quality assessments. Additionally monitoring, watershed management groups, watershed improvement projects, watershed protection plans, and various studies, planning, and stakeholder programs.
• Coordinate and support Denver Water’s Watershed Steering Committee that includes members from various Denver Water sections who are focused on watershed/ecosystem services and source water protection.
• Research and prepare oral and written technical reports and provide recommendations pertaining to watershed-related issues, partnerships, and programs.
• Conduct and manage consultants for data collection, field studies, ecosystem services, project implementation, and monitoring.
• Participate with various watershed groups, government agencies, and other interest groups to perform watershed work.

A key work effort to be performed directly by the Watershed Scientist is to maintain and expand Denver Water’s watershed and forest management programs, including: 

• Develop watershed inventories, watershed action plans, and watershed health reports that will benefit Denver Water’s water collection system, treatment process, and water supply operations.
• Coordinate and collaborate on developing forest management goals that will benefit Denver Water’s water collection system.
• Participate in forestry and watershed studies with data collection for use in water resource planning.
• Communicate effectively with federal, state, local agencies, and non-governmental organizations, including legislative representatives, such as EPA, USACE, USFWS, USFS, CDPHE, CPW, TNC, CUSP, and other state, federal and county officials.
• Represent Denver Water interests to help educate and discuss Denver Water’s watershed and forest health programs that are recognized at the international, national, state and local levels.
• Perform other pertinent related work as requested and required.

Qualifications needed to be successful in this role:

• In-depth knowledge of natural resources science and management in the western U.S.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and conduct professional-level scientific studies, biological and ecological analysis, watershed assessments, and source water protection programs.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and work with an internal team of diverse interests.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholder groups, regulatory entities, and watershed groups.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong communication skills in working effectively with different groups including scientists, regulators, governing boards and the general public. Ability to tailor messaging and use communication techniques that are best suited for the target audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects in a collaborative team environment, resolve conflicts, and negotiate with multiple workgroups or organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to assume a high level of responsibility.

Location of Position

Denver Water Department-1000

Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Science, Aquatic Biology, Watershed Science, Political Science or a related field. 
• Minimum 4 years of related work experience.
• Any equivalent combination of certifications, education, or experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities for the position.

Licenses, Registration, and Certifications:  Must possess and maintain a valid Class 'R' Colorado driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.

About Denver Water

Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number are received. Denver Water reserves the right to either close or extend a posting.

Denver Water proudly serves high-quality water and promotes its efficient use to 1.5 million people in the city of Denver and many surrounding suburbs. Denver Water aspires to be the best water utility in the nation. The organization is a responsible steward of the resources, assets and natural environment entrusted to us in order to provide a high-quality water supply, a resilient and reliable system, and excellent customer service.

Denver Water is committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited on all Denver Water property.

Denver Water offers excellent benefits that include a pension plan, a 401K Plan with 3% match, a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, Health and Dental coverage, Life Insurance, and Paid Time Off. A background check will be conducted to verify the information submitted on the application. Please be sure that all information on the application is correct and complete, do not say "see resume". If the application is not fully completed, we (Denver Water), will not accept your application.

An offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a post-offer drug test. For a position of this type, Denver Water tests for the following: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana (THC), opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and alcohol.

Denver Water is an equal opportunity employer. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, military status, or marital status in making employment or business decisions. It also prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace or in its dealings with the public. The organization encourages and welcomes diversity of backgrounds in its workforce. Denver Water complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).

Veronica Hernandez

1600 W. 12th Ave.

Denver, CO. 80204-3412

Veronica.Hernandez@denverwater.org

EOE/MF

Information

• Location: Denver, United States

Industry experience

Education: Bachelor

Seniority: Expert, Engineer, Consultant

Years of experience: 1 to 5 years

Taxonomy

• Scientist
• Watershed
• Integrated Watershed Management
• Watershed Management
• Water Scientist
• Groundwater Data Scientist