Water Rights Specialist

Job Description

Position Summary

The Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Colorado State University is recruiting an experienced Water Rights Specialist to support its agreement with the National Park Service (NPS) Water Resources Division. The position contributes to the protection and sustainable management of park surface water and groundwater resources through water rights notice review, research, and analysis of applicable laws and policies.

The specialist evaluates water rights decrees, administrative decisions, and land acquisition records; prepares water rights inventories; identifies legal vulnerabilities; and recommends actions to secure and protect NPS water rights. Working with an interdisciplinary team, the specialist also supports state water rights adjudications, proofs of beneficial use, resource management planning, and water law reports.

Application Deadline

12/01/2026

Essential Job Duties

Research and analysis

• Independently lead the evaluation of NPS water rights and adaptation strategies for mitigating legal vulnerabilities, securing NPS water supplies, and protecting water resources at select parks.
• Compile information on NPS water rights from federal, state, and local records and databases. Prepare inventories of NPS water rights. Analyze and interpret federal and state statutes and policies, determine legal and administrative procedures, and review NPS-related legislation.
• Identify and recommend feasible water right management actions to protect water resources and increase security of NPS water supplies and rights.
• Develop strategies for maximizing the value of existing NPS water rights.
• Review land and water acquisition, exchange, or sale proposals to ensure proper transfer of water rights. Support general adjudication activities.
• Coordinate with NPS/WRD hydrologists, and as needed the DOI Office of the Solicitor and U.S. Department of Justice on water right matters.
• Research park enabling legislation and other laws (e.g., Acts of Congress, Presidential Proclamations, Executive Orders) relevant to NPS units, and reviews administrative and case histories to determine purposes and needs for water rights for specific NPS units

Reporting and writing

• Contribute water rights information and recommendations to reports addressing water resource and water supply vulnerability. Develop stand-alone reports, memos, and presentations for NPS managers summarizing the status, vulnerabilities, and recommended management actions for park water rights.
• Develop summaries or guidance on water right laws, policies, or procedures for NPS managers and the public, as appropriate.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check
• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
  

Supervision:

None

Minimum Qualifications:

• In-depth understanding of US water law and water rights (i.e., laws, policies, procedures, and administrative actions that control the appropriation and consumptive beneficial use of water resources).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct legal research or policy analysis in the area of state and federal water law.
• Experience with state-appropriative and federal reserved water rights
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate results from analyses through written reports and verbal presentations.
• ArcPro/GIS proficiency
• JD + 1 year of experience or Master’s degree in Environmental Policy or Water-related discipline + 2 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with compiling and reviewing water right information to determine current water right status.
• Education in or experience with water laws specific to multiple states, particularly western states.
• Experience with recommending or executing water right management actions to ensure good standing or address proposed changes to beneficial use.
• Education in or experience with federal water resource management.
• Education in or experience with hydrology or hydrogeology.
• Experience with state-appropriative and federal reserved water rights in one or more states, preferably western states.
• Experience with water law as related to Native American Tribes and the intersection of Tribal water law and National Park Service units.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent analyses, learn on the job, and collaborate with a team of diverse experts.
• Experience drafting and filing various pleadings related to water rights litigation
• Experience with ROW and Easement requirements and best practices

Additional Information:

• Search Contact: Steven Fassnacht, Steven.Fassnacht@colostate.edu.

Salary Range

$90,000-$100,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.