Job Description

Position Description
Title: Water Planning Technical Support (Environmental Scientist)
This position may be filled as an Environmental Scientist I, II or III.

Environmental Scientist I - starting salary will range will be between $23.93 to $29.94 per hour depending upon experience and qualifications, or in accordance with DHRM Rules for current employees of the State of Utah.
Environmental Scientist II - starting salary will range will be between $28.16 to $35.23 per hour depending upon experience and qualifications, or in accordance with DHRM Rules for current employees of the State of Utah
Environmental Scientist III - starting salary will be $33.14 to $41.47 per hour depending upon experience and qualifications, or in accordance with DHRM Rules for current employees of the State of Utah.

Description:
The Division of Water Resources is looking to hire someone to join a small team of staff from the Utah departments of Agriculture and Food, Environmental Quality and Natural Resources. This team will provide valuable technical support to cities and counties for integrating water elements as they update general plans. General plans that include water considerations during the planning process will have direct impacts on watershed health. In northern Utah, integrated water and land planning will have direct impacts on Great Salt Lake. This position may be filled at any of the advertised levels listed above (Environmental Scientist I, II, or III). Salary depends on the job level offered within the series.

Principal Duties

• Building a highly productive four-member team of coordinated state agency partners to develop, document, implement and communicate a comprehensive program to assist cities and counties in meeting Water as Part of a General Plan requirements outlined in Senate Bill 76 (passed during the 2023 general legislative session).
• Developing a companion grant program, including application and evaluation processes, award criteria, and project assessment and report templates.
• Actively marketing technical support resources and services from coordinated state agencies to city and county leaders and planners.
• Clearly communicating the plan requirements and grant opportunities to cities and counties as outlined in Senate Bill 76.
• Providing technical support to cities and counties as they revise their planning processes, general plan, master plan and ordinances to incorporate water elements.
• Reviewing existing plans and identifying where water elements can be integrated.
• Traveling to meeting with local planners, water providers and elected officials to address local needs and concerns.

The Ideal Candidate
The model candidate is someone who:

• Has at least 2 years work experience or education relevant to water planning, rural community planning, water conservation, watershed science or hydrology.
• Has at least 2 years work experience involving communication and agency coordination at the state or local level.
• Has work experience providing technical assistance.
• Has excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Is able to work with people in a sensitive, tactful and professional manner.
• Is able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Works equally well independently and in a team environment.
• Works productively in a remote work environment.
• Is adaptable and adjusts to changing priorities.
• Reviews and edits documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Produces quality work and adheres to deadlines.
• Is familiar with Google Workspace, MS Office Suite, Adobe Pro, virtual meeting platforms, cloud computing, and data storage.
• Has experience with Utah Code, Utah Rules, ordinances, city or county general plans, and city or county master plans.

Preference may be given to candidates who:

• Are familiar with urban or rural planning and local government processes.
• Have strong facilitation skills.
• Have project management experience.
• Have experience with state or federal water laws and regulatory requirements.

This position may require overnight trips to meet with community planning organizations (e.g., government planning staff, planning commissions, elected officials). Typically, an overnight trip will require only one or two consecutive nights. During some periods, no travel will be necessary.
Typical Work Schedule: M - F 8:00 - 5:00 Current Utah Driver\'s license required.

Why You Should Join Our Team
Utah is on the cusp of a changing water use paradigm. The Division of Water Resources works with residents at all levels to improve water use practices and policies and to preserve our water resources. This position offers the opportunity to connect with cities and counties, combine talents and skills of internal team members, engage with external partners to leverage state resources, and support the Utah Growing Water Smart Workshop program. The successful candidate will work independently and with the team. We are optimistic that the meaningful work we engage in will have lasting impacts. Join our team to support communities in all corners of the state to shape a resilient water future.

Example of Duties

• Reviews and/or inspects work for quality, accuracy, and completeness.
• Monitors and evaluates operations, programs, processes and/or practices for quality and effectiveness; makes recommendations for improvement.
• Analyzes, summarizes and/or reviews data; reports findings, interprets results and/or makes recommendations.
• Writes or drafts technical reports, articles or related material based on research, investigation or analysis.
• Develops environmental test methodology, determines placement of sampling equipment, maintains and calibrates equipment and evaluates instrumentation for effectiveness.
• Schedules and conducts inspections and/or investigations.
• Provides technical assistance on agency issues, services, program(s), and/or computer hardware and software, etc.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and/or state laws, regulations, and/or agency rules, standards and guidelines, etc.

Typical Qualifications

(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

• The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Being aware of others\' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Adjusting actions in relation to others\' actions.
• Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Managing one\'s own time and the time of others.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Supplemental Information

• Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
• Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.

Benefits:
The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for a detailed information page: . To access a Total Compensation Calculator in Excel format click .

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State of Utah