[Hiring] Water Referee @Colorado Judicial Branch

Role Description

The Water Referee performs a variety of duties related to the complex matters of water rights and administration in the Colorado Judicial System, including:

• Investigating applications for water rights.
• Deciding the merits of applications.
• Analyzing laws and rules.
• Making findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Issuing oral or written decisions and orders to resolve water cases.
• Providing administrative direction (some positions may have supervisory responsibility).

The Water Referee renders expert opinions and decisions on complex matters of water rights and administration, actively investigating applications for water rights. The applications remain with the Referee unless re-referred to the Water Judge prior to ruling.

The Water Referee rules upon:

• Determinations of water rights and conditional water rights.
• Plans for augmentation.
• Exchanges.
• Findings of reasonable diligence in the development of appropriations under conditional water rights.
• Changes to water rights.
• Cases arising from decennial abandonment lists if referred by the Water Judge.
• Determinations of abandonment of water rights or cancellation of conditional water rights.

The Water Referee works under the supervision of the Water Judge or the Chief Judge of the Judicial District and serves in a classified, non-certified position that is considered at-will.

Qualifications

• Possess training and experience to qualify for expert opinions on water rights and administration.
• Appointed by the Water Judge from a list of qualified persons submitted by the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources.

Requirements

• Knowledge of water law and water court procedure.
• Ability to perform technical investigations utilizing independent fact finding, field investigations, and consultation with outside agencies.
• Capable of determining the truth of statements in applications for water rights and statements of opposition.
• Conduct independent investigations, including site visits and requests for engineering reports.
• Consult with the division engineer and create joint summaries of consultations.
• Ensure sufficient evidence is provided by the applicant to meet the burden of proof.
• Consider various types of evidence, including legal descriptions and water availability analysis.
• Hold status conferences and issue requests for additional information.
• Preside over hearings, draft decrees, and enter rulings.
• Handle proceedings in a timely and effective manner.
• Enforce orders in all proceedings when appropriate.
• Act as a master appointed pursuant to CRCP53.
• Attend meetings and training as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Remote work opportunity from within the State of Colorado.
• Equipment will be provided.
• Responsible for providing adequate, stable internet connection and telephone service.
• Position is 16 hours/week with a salary of $5,811.27/month for this 0.40 FTE position.

Additional Comments

A cover letter is required as part of your application for this recruitment. Please submit your cover letter with your application by the posting deadline. Applications submitted without a cover letter may be considered incomplete and will not receive further consideration.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

• Subject to many interruptions and may handle multiple calls and inquiries at once.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.