TWDB - 25-99: Watershed Modeler (Hydrologist IV/Engineer III)

Company Description

The mission of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is to lead the state's efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas and its citizens. Our mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision and the state's mission and goals that relate to maintaining the viability of the state's natural resources, health, and economic development.

To accomplish our goals of planning for the state's water resources and providing affordable water and wastewater services, the TWDB provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance, and technical assistance services to the citizens of Texas. The tremendous population growth that the state continues to experience and the recurrent threat of severe drought only intensify the need for the TWDB to accomplish its goals in an effective and efficient manner.

Job Description

Only applicants who apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system will be considered for this position. First time applicants will need to create an account https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Login in the CAPPS online application system at https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page at https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Board’s Mission - Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas. 

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) offers competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work alternatives so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about these benefits and more visit http://www.twdb.texas.gov/jobs/benefits.asp.

The Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities. 

*Must meet agency in-office requirements*

**Licensed Engineering candidates external to TWDB will be eligible to receive a $5,000 recruitment bonus.**

***Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications***

Salary Ranges:

• Hydrologist IV: $5,425.34/month - $7,000.00/month***
• Engineer III: $5,797.67/month - $7,000.00/month***

General Description

Performs advanced (senior-level) to highly complex (senior-level) hydrological, geomorphological, or engineering work in support of the River Science and Hydrographic Survey program, which conducts studies of environmental (instream) flows, surface water-groundwater interactions, and fluvial geomorphology, as well as bathymetric and sedimentation surveys of reservoirs. This position primarily serves to advance program activities in geomorphology and sediment transport. Work involves developing and applying hydrologic, hydraulic, and sediment transport models. Leads and conducts geomorphic and hydraulic studies of Texas rivers, and assists in the review of hydrographic and sediment surveys of Texas reservoirs—all for use in monitoring environmental flows and supporting state and regional water and flood planning. Prepares and reviews reports and technical documents. Serves as a liaison to stakeholder committees. May train others. Works under minimal to limited supervision, with considerable to moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager of the River Science and Hydrosurvey Department.

Essential Job Functions 

• Oversees the development, maintenance, and application of hydraulic, hydrologic, and sediment transport models of inland waters.
• Investigates and pursues new approaches to determine sediment transport and geomorphic conditions in Texas waters.
• Conducts statistical and geospatial analyses to support water resource management and planning decisions.
• Plans and participates in field studies, including planning, on-site work, equipment installation, data acquisition, and data management and analysis.
• Acquires and processes input data for various models, including but not limited to bathymetry, land use, flow rates, precipitation, etc.
• Writes, reviews and evaluates scopes of work, technical memos, reports, work process, and policy documents.
• Serves as subject matter expert for research and monitoring contracts.
• Coordinates with other entities to develop and implement models and conduct analyses.
• Trains staff in the use of software and programmatic procedures and reporting.
• Provides presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Provides quality customer service and technical support to management, customers, clients, and stakeholders.
• Serves as a liaison for the TWDB at public meetings and develops working relationships with federal, state, and local agencies, academic institutions, and private contractors.
• Participates in external stakeholder committees, such as for the Senate Bill 2 (2001) Texas Instream Flows Program and Senate Bill 3 (2007) environmental flows process.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Physical or Natural Sciences, or a related field.
• Professional Experience:
  • Hydrologist IV: Seven years of relevant work experience conducting studies of fluvial geomorphology, watershed dynamics, hydrology and hydraulics of riverine systems, environmental flows, or related experience.
  • Engineer III: Seven years of relevant work experience conducting studies of fluvial geomorphology, watershed dynamics, hydrology and hydraulics of riverine systems, environmental flows, or related experience.
• License (Note: only external candidates with valid PE licenses at the time of hire are eligible to receive a $5,000 recruitment bonus):
  • Engineer III - Licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) by the State of Texas.
• Experience with modifying, applying, or running hydrologic, hydraulic, hydrodynamic, or other computational/numerical models.
• Experience processing, analyzing, interpreting, and displaying large scientific data sets in different formats, and via numerical/visualization tools.
• Relevant education and experience can be substituted for each other on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree, or working towards completion of a graduate degree, from an accredited college or university in Engineering, Hydrology, Water Resources, Geography, Physical or Natural Sciences, or related field.
• Experience applying sediment transport models.
• Experience using ESRI software product suite for terrain analysis and related applications.
• Experience with surveying tools, equipment, and instruments, including GPS systems and velocity equipment.
• Experience with interpersonal and communication skills.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the River Science and Hydrosurvey Department.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, geomorphology, and/or ecological principles, techniques, and procedures as applied to reservoirs and riverine systems.
• Knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and relevant hydrology, hydraulic, or water quality models and water management techniques.
• Knowledge in the use of applying survey data, including use of GIS and GPS systems.
• Knowledge in the use of hydraulic and sediment transport models (e.g., SAMWin, HEC-RAS, RMA-2, ADH, FESWMS, River2D, etc.).
• Knowledge of surface water hydrology techniques such as baseflow separation, hydraulic modeling, and rainfall/runoff modeling.
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Access.
• Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
• Skills in developing, applying, or running hydrodynamic and sediment transport models (e.g., SAMWin, HEC-RAS, RMA-2, ADH, FESWMS, River2D, etc.) or other computational/numerical models.
• Skills in using programming language such as Fortran, C, etc. and/or scripting languages such as Perl, Python, bash, etc.
• Skills in using numerical/visualization tools, e.g., Matlab, Octave, Scipy/Numpy, Matplotlib, Tecplot, Gnuplot, HEC-DSS, etc.
• Skills in scientific data collection, management, and interpretation, particularly of hydrologic data.
• Ability to meet agency in-office requirements.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on-time with little or no supervision.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance and clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to stand/sit/move to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work shifts that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to train others.

Additional Information

All interested candidates should apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system. First time applicants will need to create an account https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Login in the CAPPS online application system https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Board, Stephen F. Austin Building

1700 North Congress Ave., Room 670, Austin, Texas 78701

Please contact Human Resources for accommodation requests.

Phone: (512) 475-2142

Email: HR(AT)twdb.texas.gov