Water Resources Director

Job Description

Under supervision of the Public Works Director, performs a variety of duties and activities supporting The Village’s water rights and water conservation functions for the Village of Ruidoso, develops and manages the staff and programs of Water Resource, Water Production, Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Departments.  This position is responsible for watershed management along with water rights permits and water rights accounting and performs research on water resources and water conservation. This position is also responsible for the annual Water Audit along with implementing the Village’s Water Conservation Plan, goals and objectives. This position is exempt from FLSA.

Job Summary

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 and water rights conditions, in conjunction with a variety of water policies and water resources projects. This position is also responsible for water resource planning initiatives including but not limited to, water conservation including groundwater and surface water and integrated regional water management; developing and implementing policies to optimize water resources; developing and updating long-range water resources plans and facilitating and implementing recommendations. Responsible for watershed management including oversight of projects, policy and management in the Village of Ruidoso and surrounding watershed. This Director is also the liaison for the Village 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.

Essential Job Functions

• Manages activities and implements decisions regarding the Village’s Water rights portfolio and the Village’s water development plan, including water rights administration and accounting, water rights permitting, acquisition of leased and / or purchased water rights, water rights lease and payment agreements, treated effluent contracts, water reuse programs, water conservation programs and environmental regulations and compliance as 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 collection and input of monthly data into the AWWA Water Audit Software. Such data will be analyzed in conjunction with our overall water conservation plan and reported annually to the OSE.
• Oversee a water conservation program, compliance and public outreach functions.
• Directs water diversion strategy, respective 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.
• Conducts the Grindstone Balancing report.
• Manages technical and policy research on water quantity and quality. Oversees and leads document preparation for internal and external use, such as reports, resolutions, ordinances, policy recommendations, fiscal impact reports, professional service contracts, grant applications, permit applications, request for proposals (RFP’s) agreements and other contracts, water storage contracts, return flow plans, and memorandums of understanding.
• Provides professional and technical expertise to Village Manager, 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.
• Presents updates and recommendations on water resource and water conservation policy, projects, and activities to the Village Manager, Village Council and the community.
• Coordinates with local, state and federal agencies, boards, committees, advisory groups and other organizations, stakeholders and authorities on water resource management and conservation strategies.  Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with other governmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups.
• Establishes, manages and tracks water resource and water conservation budgets, pursues funding, coordinates fiscal agent duties, and implements Village financial goals.
• Oversees and provides input in the development of the water audit, enforcement and conservation public outreach programs.
• Coordinates water resources and conservation goals and functions to form a balanced and effective water operating system and program.
• Obtains reviews, analyzes and interprets water quality data and assists the Public Works Department and recommends, and maintains practices required to determine and / or improve water quantity and quality delivered to customers.
• Researches and reviews current and developing federal, state and local water quality laws, regulations, and programs to determine potential impact on the Village.
• Prepares compliance reports and correspondence to government agencies; may serve as a liaison to federal, state and local water quality regulatory authorities.
• Responsible to be the liaison for the Village with State and Federal agencies regarding State & Federal Water Quality and other environmental regulations including but not limited to the Clean Water Act, Safe Water Drinking Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. Oversees NPDES permitting and compliance.
• Proactively participates and represents Village’s interests in regional, state, and local organizations dealing with water management and protection.
• Has responsibility for the development and administration of grants
• Plans and coordinates watershed enhancement projects.
• Coordinates source water protection activities with stakeholders in watershed.
• Report monthly to the Village Manager and to the Village Council if requested on the status of the Water Conservation Plan, Water Development Plan, Source Water Protection Plan, water rights purchases and conditions of permits.  A report will be made to the Village Manager and possibly the Village Council on the status and progress of these plans.
• Directs and supervises the Water Utility GIS program.

Other Responsibilities or Job Requirements

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Travel Requirements

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Closing Statements

Compensation details : 66290.16-79548.19 Yearly Salary

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