24-136 - Water Resources Planner (Planner II)
Only applicants who apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system will be considered for this position. First time applicants will need to create an account, https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Login in the CAPPS online application system, https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page, https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.
Texas Water Development Board’s Mission - Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas and its citizens.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) endorses telecommuting and hybrid workplace plans, in addition to other flexible work alternatives. We offer competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work hours so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about our employee benefits and more, visit http://www.twdb.texas.gov/jobs/benefits.asp.
The Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities.
Salary ranges reflect the 9/1 legislative increase for state employees as of September 1.
***Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications***
Job Description Summary:
The TWDB’s Projections and Socioeconomic Analysis Department is seeking a detail-oriented and data-driven professional to join our high-performing team responsible for collecting and analyzing data related to population and water use trends for statewide regional water planning. This is a close-knit team that is part of a larger division, offering opportunities to contribute to the big picture and ensuring a secure water future for Texas.
The Water Resources Planner performs routine (journey-level) planning and research work including developing population and water use estimates and projections, and reviewing regional and state water plans, as well as performing technical reviews of financial assistance requests from TWDB loan programs. Work involves compilation and analysis of population and water use data from various sources. Conducts research regarding demographic trends and trends in water use. Analyzes large data sets such as Census, socioeconomic, or water use data. Provides technical assistance to regional planning groups in developing population and water demand projections. May train others. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager of the Projections & Socioeconomic Analysis Department.
Essential Job Functions:
- Reviews and assesses population and/or water use data for assigned Board financial assistance requests for water and wastewater projects.
- Performs technical reviews of SWIFT financial assistance requests by analyzing data from the regional and state water plans and historical water use data.
- Evaluates SWIFT financial assistance requests and supports division projects.
- Collects, organizes, reviews, and analyzes water planning data and other information.
- Maintains records to ensure division compliance with SWIFT abridged application review.
- Develops, documents, and tracks project prioritization material related to SWIFT loan applications.
- Coordinates the prioritizing scoring process among all WSP areas.
- Coordinates with other agency areas and staff as necessary and maintains project schedules and standards.
- Develops water impact statements (WIS) for legislation.
- Creates water districts and serves as a WIS point of contact responsible for coordinating with Government Relations and keeping track of staff assignment and progress.
- Collects, maintains, and analyzes tabular and geographic data associated with water use, population, economics, and related topics.
- Conducts research and data analysis associated with population and water use in municipal, industrial, and agricultural categories.
- Develops annual population/gallons per capita per day estimates, and non-municipal water use estimates and documents work procedures.
- Assists in developing the department’s data QC requirements and methodological documentations and in conducting various data QC.
- Assists in developing population and water demand projections for the regional and state water planning processes, including the development and review of methodologies and implementation of procedures.
- Provides technical planning assistance to internal and external customers for water use and/or demographic analyses.
- Assists in the development and final review of regional and state water plans.
- Assists in the development and review of socioeconomic impact analysis for the regional and state water plans.
- Prepares reports, makes presentations, and provides training to Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) staff.
- Participates in supervisor-approved Career Development Plan activities, including the establishment of employee goals and identification of job-related training opportunities as discussed with supervisor.
- Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
- Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
- Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.
- May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
College Degree:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, Economics, or a related field.
- Two years of relevant work experience in city or regional planning, public administration, or a related field.
- Relevant education and experience can be substituted for each other on a year-for-year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Studies, Economics, or a related field.
- Three years of work experience with population estimates and projections.
- Previous experience with geographic information system (ArcGIS) and spatial analysis.
- Previous experience with Microsoft PowerBI or other data visualization software.
- Previous experience in regional and state water planning in Texas and/or water use or water projection data.
- Previous experience with socio-demographic data.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to Projections & Socioeconomic Analysis Department.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
- Knowledge of principles, methodology, and practices of sociodemographic analysis.
- Knowledge of the use of census data including American Community Survey.
- Knowledge of Texas water providers, laws, trends, and data sources.
- Knowledge of relational databases and skill with data management including editing, querying, generating of reports, and graphs.
- Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Access.
- Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
- Skills in applying statistical tools to data.
- Skills with ESRI ArcGIS software and spatial analysis.
- Skills in collecting, analyzing demographics, and statistics.
- Skills in evaluating and analyzing large amounts of data.
- Skills in analytical thinking and problem-solving.
- Ability to evaluate planning material.
- Ability to conduct research.
- Ability to prepare reports.
- Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
- Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
- Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
- Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on-time with little or no supervision.
- Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
- Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
- Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance and clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks.
- Ability to stand/sit/move to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
- Ability and willingness to travel 5% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
- Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
- Ability to work shifts that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
- Ability to train others.