Water Resources Director

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Public Works Director, performs a variety of duties and activities supporting the Village of Ruidoso’s water rights and water conservation functions. Develops and manages the staff and programs of Water Resource, Water Production, and the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Departments. Responsible for watershed management, water rights permitting and accounting, and research on water resources and conservation.

Oversees the annual Water Audit and implements the Village’s Water Conservation Plan, goals, and objectives. The position is exempt from FLSA.

Under limited supervision, develops, manages, and directs all aspects of planning documents related to the Water Conservation Plan, Water Development Plan, and Source Water Protection Plan. Performs administrative functions related to watershed management and protection activities and the Village’s water rights portfolio, including permits, water rights conditions, and various water policies and projects. Responsible for water resource planning initiatives, including groundwater and surface water conservation, integrated regional water management, and the development and updating of long‑range water resource plans.

Oversees watershed management projects, policy, and management in the Village of Ruidoso and surrounding watershed. Acts as the Village liaison for water quality standards and compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. Works closely with the WQCC, EPA, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (OSE), and other Water Quality Bureaus.

• Manages activities and implements decisions regarding the Village’s water rights portfolio and the village’s water development plan, including water rights administration, accounting, permitting, acquisition of leased and/or purchased water rights, lease and payment agreements, treated effluent contracts, water reuse programs, water conservation programs, and environmental regulations and compliance related to water rights administration.
• Manages the Source Water Protection Plan, Water Development Plan, and implementation of the Water Conservation Plan, including annual reporting to the Office of the State Engineer. This requires collecting and inputting monthly data into the AWWA Water Audit Software, analyzing data in conjunction with the overall conservation plan, and reporting annually to the OSE.
• Oversee a water conservation program, compliance and public outreach functions.
• Direct water diversion strategy in relation to the village’s water right portfolio, snowpack and precipitation predictions, and planned or emergency infrastructure improvements.
• Oversee compliance with conditions of approval related to approved water permits and maintain the five-year accounting of water rights, updated monthly and periodically reconciled with the OSE.
• Conduct the Grindstone Balancing report.
• Manage technical and policy research on water quantity and quality; oversee and lead documentation for internal and external use, such as reports, resolutions, ordinances, policy recommendations, fiscal impact reports, professional service contracts, grant applications, permit applications, RFPs, agreements, water storage contracts, return flow plans, and memorandums of understanding.
• Provide professional and technical expertise to the Village Manager and Village Departments to analyze, recommend, and implement water resource–related water supply activities and policies pursuant to the Village of Ruidoso interests and council directives.
• Present updates and recommendations on water resource and water conservation policy, projects, and activities to the Village Manager, Village Council, and the community.
• Coordinate with local, state and federal agencies, boards, committees, advisory groups and other organizations, stakeholders and authorities on water resource management and conservation strategies.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other governmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups.
• Establish, manage, and track water…