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Job Description
***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***
Job Summary
This position is located in Carson City, Nevada and will report directly to the State Engineer, this senior leadership role oversees key programs and operations within the Division of Water Resources. The incumbent will work closely with the State Engineer and other Deputy Administrators on high-level strategy and daily decision-making to address Nevada's complex water resource needs. Key responsibilities are to provide oversight on statewide water management initiatives, proactively addressing future water needs. Lead, guide, and support a team of professional, technical, and administrative staff. Manage budgets, draft policies, and propose regulatory and statutory language aligned with state and federal water laws. Ensure projects and rulings meet Division standards, remain in compliance with applicable laws, and are defensible in judicial review. Represent the Division in engagements with boards, committees, civic groups, the legislature, tribes, and other water resource stakeholders. The incumbent will work closely with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other agencies to coordinate on policies impacting water resources across Nevada. Support the Attorney General’s office in legal proceedings, providing expertise to ensure compliance with the State Engineer's objectives, and appropriate strategy. This position is also responsible for directly supervising managers and assigning projects, oversee progress of progress and daily operations, and ensure a high-quality outcome. The incumbent will also support the professional growth of the team and help establish the Division’s strategic goals.
Under general administrative direction, incumbents serve as deputy to the Administrator of one of the regulatory agencies in the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Duties include management of professional, technical, and administrative support staff; budget development and monitoring; development of policies and regulations; and ensuring compliance with applicable federal and State regulations and statutes.
Essential Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, the natural or physical sciences, public administration, law or related field and four years of experience supervising natural resource regulatory programs or relevant specialized programs in areas of water resources or environmental protection. The required experience must have included program planning, budget development and maintenance, policy analysis and interpretation, and training and supervision of professional staff; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.
Job Duties
Serve as deputy administrator of a major regulatory agency; oversee day-to-day operations, activities and programs; act on behalf of the Administrator as requested or in the absence of the Administrator; represent the agency at meetings, conferences, boards, business groups, civic organizations, local government agencies and other groups, and serve on committees as requested.
Supervise and evaluate the performance of professional, technical and administrative support staff including professional engineers; develop and implement organizational structures to optimize efficiency; establish and implement goals and objectives for assigned sections and bureaus; provide for staff development activities within budget constraints; initiate disciplinary action as appropriate within established guidelines and regulations.
Develop and monitor program budgets; prepare justifications for expenditures; ensure the best use of public funds; seek out and secure external funding sources such as grants; develop appropriate fee structures to ensure sufficient revenue to support program requirements and activities; prepare narrative, statistical and financial reports.
Write detailed regulations required to implement new or revised federal and/or State mandates; justify the need for regulation to boards, commissions, or other regulatory bodies; explain and defend regulations at public hearings.
Direct the development of division-wide policies and procedures to ensure consistent application of laws, rules, and regulations; analyze regulatory guidance to ensure State practices, services and requirements comply with federal requirements.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Detailed knowledge of: principles of organization, management, and supervision; budget preparation and management.
Working knowledge of: industry standards, federal and State laws and regulations applicable to the agency’s regulatory programs; oral and written communication skills sufficient to make public presentations and prepare written reports and other materials; community and public relations; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
Ability to: represent the agency and the Administrator in a wide variety of public settings; assist the Administrator with day-to-day oversight of division programs, services, activities and staff; develop agency policies and procedures consistent with federal mandates and requirements; train, supervise and evaluate the performance of professional staff; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; analyze and interpret complex, technical materials; analyze financial records and reports.
RECRUITER CONTACT INFORMATION: Jon Terrazas at j.terrazas@admin.nv.gov
The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.
Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.
Benefits include:- Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP) .
- Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
- Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
- Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
- Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) . Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication .
- Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program .
- No Nevada state income tax.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
- Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.
Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU) .
For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF) .
*** State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.
The following are legal holidays:
January 1.............................................. New Year's Day
Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday
Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day
June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day
July 4.................................................... Independence Day
First Monday in September.............. Labor Day
Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day
November 11........................................ Veterans' Day
Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day
Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day
December 25........................................ Christmas Day
When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255
Closing Date/Time: 4/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific - Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP) .
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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STATE OF NEVADA
Show moreThe presence of Nevada's earliest inhabitants, beginning about 12,400 years ago, is marked by many petroglyphs and archaeological sites. Baskets, decoys, and ingenious traps are evidence of the resourcefulness of these early people in a harsh and arid environment.
European explorers traveled through Nevada in the early 19th century, but it was not until 1851 that the first settlements were established. An Act of Congress created the Territory of Nevada on March 2, 1861. James W. Nye of New York was appointed Nevada's first Territorial Governor by President Abraham Lincoln later that year. On October 31, 1864, President Lincoln proclaimed Nevada's admission to the Union as the 36th state. The State's first elected Governor, Henry Blasdel, took office on December 5, 1864.
Today, Nevada is the nation's seventh largest state in land area. Several hundred mountain ranges cross its landscape, many with elevations over 10,000 feet. In contrast, the State's lowest point (along the Colorado River) is only 470 feet above sea level. From majestic mountains to desert valleys, nature has endowed Nevada with diverse and unique ecosystems.
The Nevada Legislature has honored the State's natural resources and cultural heritage with a variety of State designations described below.
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