Salary : $6,405.00 - $9,461.00 Monthly
Location : Alamosa, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: PEA 00010 09/26
Department: Department of Natural Resources
Division: Division of Water Resources
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 301 Murphy Dr, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA
Hiring Pay Rate: Employees new to State Government will be paid on a bi-weekly basis.
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Division of Water Resources (DWR):
State Engineer's Office

Our mission is to administer the waters of the State to maximize lawful beneficial use, ensure that dams and water wells are properly constructed and safe, and provide information about water resources to the public.

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) hydrographic program is critical to the administration of Colorado water rights and interstate compacts. The administration of water rights in Colorado is accomplished by balancing the typical supply and demand analysis. State engineer relies upon water commissioners to determine the daily demand for water from the various water rights owners in their affected area, and water commissioners rely on the hydrographers to provide accurate streamflow data.
The hydrographic program provides the information used to determine the daily surface water supply, the leading source of water to meet the demand. The data generated by the hydrography program is also used by many other interested parties such as emergency managers monitoring potential floods, water rights owners evaluating the use of their water rights and modelers needing to inform policy analysts and decision makers regarding the changes in Colorado stream volumes.
The Hydrographic and Satellite Monitoring Branch is responsible for the collection and distribution of accurate and timely water resources information in support of administration of the State's waters in accordance with state statue, decree, interstate compact as well as rules and policies of the State Engineer.
Description of Job
OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO

This position is Senior Hydrographer and exists to provide scientific hydrographic expertise to the Hydrographic Branch. Duties include measuring and evaluating data to determine the stream flow quantity at stream gaging stations, canals and ditches in support of water administration. The Senior Hydrographer will assist with the design, installation, and calibration of stream stations in the basin. He or she will maintain gaging stations, associated electronics and structures, including stations required to demonstrate compliance with the Rio Grande interstate compact. This position will be the coordinator for Division 3 hydroacoustic measurement program and surveying program.
This position is responsible for answering questions regarding hydroacoustic measurement results, stream gage methods, project construction, and stream analysis from both DWR personnel, state and federal agencies and the water rights owners.

Specific job duties include but are not limited to:

• Establish stage-discharge relationships and compute discharge using hydraulic formulas for flumes, weirs, culverts, contracted openings, spillways or conveyance structures.
• Inspect service and calibrate all mechanical and electronic telemetry equipment relevant to the gaging station to ensure the quality and availability of water flow data.
• Responsible for keeping all equipment up to date with calibrations in accordance with USGS guidelines.
• Evaluate, verify and compile water flow data using graphical and computer analysis to create an accurate official report of daily discharge for publication.
• Assist the Electronics Specialist with installation of water measurement systems using open channel gaging stations, artificial controls, and measurement weirs for Colorado's streams in locations in the Upper Rio Grande Basin where data and information are needed for water rights administration, interstate compact compliance and Decision Support System Modeling.
• Responsible for the annual compilation and publication of stream flow records in accordance with the U.S. Geological Survey hydrography standards.
• Train other hydrographic scientists and technicians in the proper use, care, and calibration of precision level instruments and in differential leveling techniques and stream channel surveying methods.
• Analyze and integrate channel surveys with stream measurement data to identify hydrologic characteristics to better define stage-discharge relationships.

Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
OPEN TO STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENTS ONLY

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years.

(Experience as a ditch rider, rancher or farmer that included regulating and measuring water flow through headgates, canals or streams, or experience managing irrigation and irrigation systems, scientific field investigations, municipal water operations, Colorado water administration, or other experience related water or natural resources is considered related experience.)

Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. "See Resume" statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

If you are using a degree to substitute for the required experience, you may be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts for verification of your qualifications if requested.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• Knowledge and experience with Colorado water rights.
• Water administration experience.
• Experience with water measurement equipment and technology.
• Water measurement experience.
• Excellent public service skills.
• Proficiency with Google and Microsoft suites.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets.
• Other experience relevant to the use or management of water resources.

The current work arrangement for this position is as follows:
(Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change)

• Hybrid: To be determined with supervisor after initial training period with a combination of work from home, field time, and some days reporting to the main Division Office.

(This position will at times have a responsibility to report to work during emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. The ideal candidate would be willing to live within sixty (60) minutes' driving time, under normal weather conditions, of where the work station and/or equipment is located.)

Conditions of Employment:

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position. (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).
• Must be willing and able to travel daily throughout the water district.
• Must have the ability to report to the work location that can include off-road conditions and rugged terrain.
• Must have the ability to independently access remote locations to complete work assignments within the district.
• Must be willing and able to spend up to several hours per day standing and/or climbing up and down hills.
• Must be willing and able to perform duties seven days a week if water conditions warrant during the irrigation season.
• Must be willing and able to work overtime.
• Must be willing and able to work outdoors in varying terrain and weather conditions.
• Must be willing and able to work on weekends and holidays during the peak season as necessary.
• Must be willing and able to work alone in remote areas.
• Must be willing and able to perform physical tasks, which may include lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Must be prepared to defend and support actions and records in depositions or court testimony.
• Must be able to address frequent and detailed inquiries from attorneys, professional engineers and hydrologists from government and private agencies.
• Must be willing and able to respond to emergency situations on weekends and evenings.
• Pursuant to the DNR-120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle.
  
  To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who:
  
  • Have an assigned State fleet vehicle
  • Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position
  • Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

Supplemental Information
The Assessment Process

• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
• Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement
• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective co