TWDB - 25-80: Coastal Hydrologist (Hydrologist III)

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.

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**

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

Job Description Summary

Performs highly-complex (senior-level) hydrologic analysis and modeling for the Coastal Science Department. Work involves overseeing, maintaining, and executing hydrologic models and conducting scientific analyses of hydrologic data in support of freshwater inflow needs analysis, water resources planning, flood planning, and oil spill response. Oversees and participates in the planning, execution, and summary of scientific studies, including assistance with field data collection. Serves as a liaison at public meetings, provides technical support to stakeholders and scientific committees, and communicates analyses and results to general and technical audiences. May train others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager of the Coastal Science Department.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversees, generates, maintains, and updates the coastal hydrology database of freshwater inflow estimates from rivers and coastal watersheds to Texas estuaries, including obtaining, processing, conducting quality assurance/quality control, and version control of data.
• Calibrates, evaluates, and applies rainfall-runoff models (e.g., TxRR, HEC-HMS, NWM, HL-RDHM, SWAT, etc.) to coastal watersheds.
• Serves as lead hydrologist for the Oil Spill Prevention and Response contract by developing, testing, and implementing near-real time estimates of ungauged flows to advance oil spill trajectory modeling.
• Plans and executes scientific studies to improve the representation of key hydrological components in coastal freshwater inflow estimations and to aid water resources planning and oil spill response.
• Develops and implements new or improved methods for computing freshwater inflows.
• Leads development of improved hydrology input data (i.e., the incorporation of modeled streamflow from ungauged watersheds) to the hydrodynamic model that feeds the spill trajectory model.
• Writes, executes, and maintains the Python, Linux, Fortran, and ArcGIS programs and scripts.
• Conducts statistical or graphical analyses of hydrologic data to detect spatial/temporal patterns and trends and to inform environmental flow and water resources planning studies.
• Maintains and posts updates of coastal hydrology data and technical memos to the agency website.
• Writes, reviews, and evaluates technical memos, reports, work process, and policy documents.
• Provides presentations and informational material to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Assists with field studies, including planning, on-site work, equipment installation, data acquisition, and data management.
• Serves as liaison and provides technical support and information to stakeholder groups, scientific committees, and customers.
• Seeks and supports opportunities to collaborate with academia, consulting firms, federal and state agencies, and other stakeholders to improve coastal hydrology datasets.
• Serves as subject matter expert and/or contract manager for research and monitoring contracts.
• May perform work outdoors on boats and possibly during inclement weather or under hot and cold temperatures.
• May require work shifts to occasionally exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, late nights and weekends.
• May travel up to 5% of the time.
• 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, including the transport and operation of boats and equipment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Hydrology, Geology, Oceanography, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Five years of relevant work experience in water resources, applying watershed level hydrologic/hydraulic models and/or analyzing hydrologic data.
• 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 with major coursework in Hydrology, Geology, Oceanography, Water Resources, or a related field. 
• Experience in running, calibrating, and evaluating hydrologic and hydraulic models as well as writing, executing, and maintaining Python, Linux, Fortran, and ArcGIS programs and scripts.
• Experience conducting quality assurance/quality control of scientific measurement data.
• Experience accessing, processing, displaying, and analyzing large scientific datasets.
• Experience in project management and project reporting.
• Familiarity with the hydrology, climatology, and geology of Texas.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer by the State of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the Coastal Science Department.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of water management and environmental flows in Texas.
• Knowledge of scientific, engineering, statistical, modeling, and hydrologic principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of the practical application of hydrology, water quality, and water management technologies.
• 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 project management and grant/contract administration, including time-management and prioritization.
• Skills in scientific data collection, management, and interpretation, particularly of hydrologic data.
• Skills in using and applying models, particularly rainfall-runoff models, and statistical procedures.
• Skills in programming/scripting languages, such as Python, Fortran, MATLAB, or equivalent, for developing and modifying software and scripts for conducting analyses and to maintain automated processes.
• Skills in spatial data analysis techniques (e.g., ArcGIS, etc.).
• Skills in multivariate statistics or predictive modeling.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure within Texas.
• Ability meet agency in-office requirements.
• Ability to meet public/government officials to initiate studies and to request data pertinent to studies.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment and cooperate with supervisors, co-workers, and others.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• 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 willing 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 5% 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.

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