Associate Water Resources Professional - District ; OSE/ISC
Listed on 2026-05-23
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Engineering
Environmental Compliance, Environmental Engineer, Water Engineer, Water Management
Job Title:
Associate Water Resources Professional - District I (OSE/ISC #65774)
This posting is used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once. This position is located in the Water Resources Allocation Program (WRAP), Water Rights Division (WRD) District I Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. To learn more about the Office of the State Engineer, please visit our website:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov
Why does the job exist?The Associate Water Resource Professional is an entry‑level position that supports the administration of surface and groundwater rights in the Middle Rio Grande Basin by conducting field inspections, stream flow and gage measurements, groundwater data collection, hydrologic calculations, and evaluations of water rights applications. Working under the Water Master and District Manager(s), responsibilities include preparing technical reports, depletions accounting, collecting and analyzing water data, evaluating irrigation water requirements, ensuring permit compliance, reviewing permits, maintaining data and reporting systems, attending meetings, public service and more.
The role contributes to District 1 projects, assists with basic hydrology modeling, and may serve as an expert witness on limited matters. During irrigation seasons, the incumbent helps administer water rights and measurement under AWRM regulations, and in the offseason assists in the preparation of the annual Water Master Report summarizing irrigation activities and planning for the upcoming season. Basic knowledge of surface water measurement devices and their maintenance is essential to support accurate water management.
does it get done?
Active Water Management — Support the Middle Rio Grande Basin Water Master and Water Resources Managers with active water management duties and team planning. Assist with instrumentation coordination, routine diversion inspections, monitoring for compliance, and preventing over diversion. Help measure and record diversions, support priority administration, compile diversion data, and investigate illegal diversion reports. Prepare memoranda documenting field investigations and recommended actions, and work with stakeholders to address concerns and develop statistical data for annual reports.
Compliance Investigations — Assist with compliance‑related investigations, including documenting complaints and gathering technical information to determine legal status. Prepare field reports, communicate findings to involved parties, track compliance status, support follow‑up actions, and refer cases to the Enforcement Unit as needed. Help draft notices of violation, monitor compliance with diversion and permit conditions, and provide recommendations to supervisors and coordinate with legal team on compliance orders.
Surface and Ground Water Administration — Support the administration of surface and groundwater resources in accordance with New Mexico statutes, court decisions, compacts, and State Engineer regulations. Maintain a field presence and provide technical support for water diverters. Assist specialists and engineers with permit actions by preparing field reports and other technical reports. Support investigations of water use violations and prepare findings.
Water Rights Recommendations — Assist in preparing recommendations, final action memoranda, and related documents for water rights applications, declarations, and other transactions. Research water rights files, survey maps, aerial photographs, and historical records. Use software to prepare exhibits that accompany written recommendations.
Committee Participation — Participate on committees developing statewide surface and groundwater measurement specifications. Support other Water Masters during high demand periods and assist with installing measurement equipment such as flumes, stilling wells, and data platforms. Support meter inspections in groundwater measurement basins and help develop training materials for Water Masters and agency staff.
Expert Witness & Documentation — Assist with compiling documentation for administrative hearings. Support research of historical data and…
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