Environmental Program Analyst

Environmental Program Analyst

(Environmental Program Manager)

Unclassified Position Announcement

Las Vegas

The Colorado River Commission of Nevada (Commission) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Environmental Program Analyst. This is an unclassified, full-time position within the Nevada State Government.

RECRUITMENT: Open to all qualified candidates, the vacancy is in Las Vegas, Nevada.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Environmental Program Analyst is responsible for managing water resource projects which includes Colorado River water accounting, modeling, and analysis of natural resource data. The Environmental Program Analyst represents the State in various workgroups, stakeholder groups, and meetings pertaining to the Colorado River.

BACKGROUND OF AGENCY: The Commission receives and holds in trust water and hydropower allocations from the Colorado River for the benefit of the State of Nevada. The Colorado River is one of the most highly regulated rivers in the world. The river flows through portions of seven states and the country of Mexico. The Colorado River is managed and operated under numerous compacts, federal laws, court decisions and decrees, contracts, and regulatory guidelines, commonly referred to as the “Law of the River.”

BACKGROUND OF NATURAL RESOURCES GROUP: The Commission’s Natural Resources Group (NRG) responsibilities include preparation of reports of Nevada’s diversions, returns, and consumptive use of Colorado River water. The NRG provides analysis of Colorado River data including runoff, temperature, precipitation, snowpack, and climate change impacts. The NRG performs analysis of the Bureau of Reclamation’s models, including the 24-month study, Colorado River Mid-term Modeling System (CRMMS), and the Colorado River Simulation System (CRSS).

The NRG ensures Nevada’s compliance with environmental laws, including without limitation, the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Protection Act, Clean Water Act, Environmental Protection Act, the Glen Canyon Protection Act, and the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act. Further, the Commission, through the NRG, participates in several environmental programs on the river, including without limitation, the Salinity Control Forum, Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, Minute 323 Binational Workgroups, and the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program.

The Commission in collaboration with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, ensures Nevada’s Colorado River allocation is used efficiently and consistently with the water service contracts, federal and state rules and laws and operational guidelines, including the Boulder Canyon Project Act, Interim Surplus Guidelines, Drought Contingency Plan and Minutes under the Mexican Water Treaty.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Commission is seeking a qualified individual who is committed to public service and able to successfully complete individual tasks as well as work well with others from diverse professional backgrounds.

The Environmental Program Analyst will assist or represent the agency on Colorado River water resource programs, including the Salinity Control Workgroup. The Environmental Program Analyst will be expected to review scientific research and apply that knowledge to manage resources on the Colorado River. The candidate will review workplans, prepare science-based recommendations, and analyze proposed reservoir operations that may impact Nevada. The candidate will participate in initiatives, groups, task forces, interstate forums, advisory councils, and committees in which the agency is mandated to participate and/or has an interest.

The Environmental Program Analyst will provide support to the Assistant Director of Natural Resources and the Senior Assistant Director in areas of water accounting and analysis of various factors affecting the Colorado River including hydrology, drought, climate change, and regulatory requirements stemming from environmental assessments and impact statements.

The Environmental Program Analyst on occasion may present information to the Commissioners of the agency at Commission meetings or to hydropower customers at their annual meeting. The candidate will also be expected to participate in community-based environmental volunteer opportunities and outreach. Duties further include monitoring water permits and water permit applications with the State Engineer that affect the Commission’s Las Vegas Wash Permit.

The Environmental Program Analyst is expected to have or quickly acquire adequate working knowledge of the issues affecting the Colorado River, both in the upper and lower basin, and be able to contribute relevant knowledge and/or experience for serious consideration.
 
Collaboration is the key to success on the Colorado River. The Environmental Program Analyst must be well experienced or educated in the art of consensus building and be able to explain and advocate Nevada’s interests in a thoughtful and clear manner to federal and state partners as well as agency management, stakeholders, and the public.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:  Education and
Experience: Candidate should have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in either earth sciences, geology, engineering, or environmental studies, preferably with experience in resource management and monitoring; or a master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in related fields. The preferred candidate will have experience with data management and statistical analysis. The candidate should also be skilled in oral and written communication and can create, develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of interested and affected parties.

BENEFITS:

• Health Insurance: medical, dental, life and disability insurance programs for employees and dependents/family are offered.
• Vacation: Accrual of approximately three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of approximately three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Paid Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
• Deferred Compensation: The State has a voluntary deferred compensation program.

APPROXIMATE GROSS SALARY: Starting salary depends on education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of a candidate to fulfill the needs of the position. Candidates with less experience may be considered with a lower starting salary with the opportunity for increases over time as the candidate grows in the position. The salary range for this position is:

Employee/Employer Paid PERS1 $65,000 to $95,000
DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Submit a cover letter and resume to: Gina Lee Goodman
Executive Assistant Manager Colorado River Commission of Nevada                                 

100 North City Parkway Suite 1100
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89106

E-mails submissions will be accepted and should be sent to: ggoodman@crc.nv.gov 
Note to Applicant: In your letter of interest please indicate how you heard about the position. If you heard about this position through a website, please specify which website.

Posted: July 30, 2024

1 PERS – Public Employees’ Retirement System of Nevada