News
Texas Water Resources Institute announces 3 full-time positions
Texas Water Resource Institute announces 3 full-time positions in the watershed management space. See the position descriptions below with a link for additional details.
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Job Title: Program Specialist 1. This is an entry level position focused on field work and data analysis.
- Plan, prepare for, and perform water sample collection, streamflow measurements and field data collections
- Conduct data and equipment management and maintenance activities
- Gather and assess watershed-based data to establish a needed understanding of current conditions to convey to stakeholders
- Apply current and new geographic information system techniques to assess and evaluate water resource issues and management scenarios
- Develop written reports and/or manuscripts as appropriate describing assessments and results
- Deliver assessment results in the form of technical presentations to watershed stakeholder groups and peers at meetings, conferences, and other settings as appropriate
- Conduct project and task management duties such as ensuring on-time deliverables and project reporting
- Work with TWRI leadership to plan and propose future research endeavors that address water resource management issues and concerns
- Coordinate with TAMUS administration and faculty; research and Extension personnel; federal and state agencies; non-profit organizations; personnel with other universities, centers, and institutes; and other partnerships to plan and develop projects and grant proposals to address critical water issues in Texas
- Mentor TWRI students to support project activities
Click here for more information on the Program Specialist 1 position.
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Job Title: Program Specialist 3. This is a mid-career position focused on watershed planning and management team leadership.
The Program Specialist III, under supervision of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas Water Resources Institute, will work as a member of a team providing leadership and support for various watershed-based programs statewide. Primary responsibilities will include mentoring and providing guidance to TWRI staff in the development of plans, programs, and proposals that address water resource issues across Texas and beyond. This will include working with stakeholders to develop collaborations, identifying programmatic needs, developing programs that address diverse water issues in Texas, delivering programs to stakeholders, and the evaluation of programs. Additional responsibilities include working with TAMUS administration and faculty; Research and Extension personnel; federal and state agencies; non-profit organizations; personnel from other universities, centers, and institutes to develop projects and grant proposals to secure external resources for addressing critical water issues in Texas.
Click here for more information on the Program Specialist 3 position.
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Job Title: Research Scientist. This is a mid-career researcher focused on watershed science with history of team management.
The Research Scientist, under supervision of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas Water Resources Institute, will work as a member of a team providing leadership and support for various watershed-based planning programs statewide. Primary responsibilities include providing supervision, leadership, mentoring, and guidance to TWRI staff in the development of watershed-based plans and activities supporting their development and implementation (education programs and proposals). As part of this leadership role, the successful applicant will guide TWRI staff in stakeholder engagement, developing collaborations, identifying programmatic needs, and developing programs that ensure stakeholders are engaged in efforts to address Texas’ varied water issues. The Research Scientist will work with TAMUS administration and faculty; Research and Extension personnel; federal and state agencies; non-profit organizations; personnel from other universities, centers, and institutes to develop projects and grant proposals to secure external resources for addressing critical water issues in Texas.
Click here for more information on the Research Scientist position.
UCOWR National Water Webinar: Scaling solutions: Beneficially utilizing treated produced water for agriculture with Dr. Joseph Burke and Dr. Katie Lewis
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY and UNIVERSITIES COUNCIL ON WATER RESOURCES PRESENT
Scaling solutions: Beneficially utilizing treated produced water for agriculture with Dr. Jospeh Burke and Dr. Katie Lewis
Date: Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
Time: 12pm – 1pm central time
Location: Microsoft Teams Webinar
This virtual event is free and open to the public. Click here to reserve your spot today.
Dr. Joseph Burke is an Assistant Professor of Cropping Systems Agronomy and Extension Soil and Water Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service, Lubbock, TX. Dr. Katie Lewis is a Professor of Soil Chemistry and Fertility, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Lubbock, TX.
Texas leads the U.S. in oil and gas exploration through extensive hydraulic fracturing, commonly called “fracking.” The fracking process in the Permian Basin typically uses three to five barrels of water to extract one barrel of oil. This water eventually returns to the surface during extraction and can contain salts, organic and inorganic compounds, chemical additives, naturally occurring radioactive material, and other byproducts that create challenges with utilizing these water resources, dubbed “produced water.” Traditionally, produced water can be reused for additional fracking or deep-injected into non-reactive geological formations. However, increased seismic activity has reduced this deep injection in Texas and the surrounding states. Utilizing treated produced water for agriculture provides an alternative to deep injection that can help ensure Texas meets its future water demands. Texas A&M AgriLife leads two projects to better understand how treated produced water can be used beneficially for agriculture. These projects integrate research and extension to characterize the treated produced water, examine its impact on forage, bioenergy, and row crop production, evaluate changes in soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, quantify economic impacts, and model changes in regional hydrology due to produced water applications.
Come join the conversation!
Water Data Forum Free Webinar Series: Data-Driven Approaches to Understanding Emerging Contaminants
Water Data Forum is an interactive web series convened by Cleveland Water Alliance, CUAHSI, and the Water Environment Federation to demystify topics of water data for a broad professional audience. Topics in this free, virtual forum range from specific technologies to broader application spaces, exploring the full breadth of the world of water data.
The Cleveland Water Alliance’s next Water Data Forum: Data-Driven Approaches to Understanding Emerging Contaminants will be taking place at 12 PM ET on September 10th. The September forum will convene subject matter experts to explore efforts to measure, assess impact, and address emerging contaminants such as microplastics and PFAS. In a facilitated discussion, the panelists will examine specific challenges, innovative methods, and new areas of study as researchers and practitioners work to address this complex water quality issue.
Click here to learn more.
Colorado Water Center Associate Director
The Colorado Water Center (CoWC) serves as a hub for water-related research, engagement, outreach, and education. Established as one of the 54 Water Resources Research Institutes created by the Water Resources Act of 1964, the CoWC, serves as a convener of critical conversations addressing the complex water challenges faced in Colorado and beyond. CoWC is dedicated to bridging gaps between communities, scientists, policymakers, and educators, aiming to convene diverse voices in water management and elevate sustainable practices, leveraging expertise from across Colorado’s higher education system to address evolving water challenges. The Center is headquartered at CSU’s Fort Collins, Colorado campus, with specialists working throughout the state and partners across the country and world. Visit the CoWC website for additional information: watercenter.colostate.edu.
The Associate Director serves in a leadership position with the Colorado Water Center (CoWC), which fulfills an important role in higher education throughout Colorado and beyond. In this capacity, the Associate Director assists in leading and ensuring execution of CoWC’s research and education programs, outreach activities, communications, and operations to advance the Center’s mission and goals.
The Associate Director defines and implements water-related initiatives in concert with CoWC’s Director. The Associate Director works with the Center’s senior research scientists, CSU Extension water specialists, and water experts to advance knowledge and solutions to priority water challenges. They are responsible for bringing together interdisciplinary teams to successfully compete for external grant funding, and providing administrative direction for the Colorado Water Center.
Required Job Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a water-related field.
- Minimum eight years of experience in program administration and management, including leading multi-entity collaborative water-related projects and programs, coordinating teams, providing effective follow-up and evaluation of success, and developing and implementing administrative processes, policies, and procedures.
- Minimum five years of supervisory and personnel management experience (for teams of two or more), including hiring, training and coaching, performance evaluation, professional development, conflict management, and fostering positive work environments.
- Minimum five years of experience working in interdisciplinary environments focused on water or related natural resource research, education, and outreach, with proven ability to build strong internal and external relationships that support organizational goals.
- Demonstrated success in resource generation (grants, contracts, partnership agreements, user fees) and program-level budget development and management.
- Ability to communicate as demonstrated through application materials and experience in public speaking/presentation and writing skills and/or working as part of a group or team.
- Willing and able to travel throughout Colorado, U.S., and internationally.
- Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
- The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the Colorado Water Center will not sponsor a visa for this position.
To view the job vacancy announcement and apply, click link: https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/162543. For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, July 14, 2025.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement.
CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
UCOWR Board of Directors Student Representative
Graduate Student Representative to the UCOWR Board
The UCOWR Board seeks graduate student input. Nominate a talented student today!
- Nominations are being accepted through June 20, 2025.
- The new graduate student representative to the board will take office on July 1, 2025.
What is expected of the Graduate Student Board Member?
- Complete a one-year term on the UCOWR Board of Directors
- Serve as a voting member of the Board
- Attend annual conference and quarterly Board meetings (3 teleconference, 1 in-person at conference)
- Help to plan annual UCOWR/NIWR conference, particularly special sessions, student activities/events and field trips
- Serve on an award committee
- Actively participate in ongoing Board activities as appropriate (See Roles and Responsibilities of Board of Directors.)
What is the nomination process for a Graduate Student Board Member?
2) Use the QR code below to submit a nomination by June 20, 2025. Biographical sketch and vision statement are required. Questions can be directed to ucowr@siu.edu.