Hydrologist Senior

Posting Title Hydrologist Senior
Job Requisition Number COA082634
Position Number 118016
Job Type Full-Time
Division Name Watershed Engineering
Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major coursework in Environmental Science, Life Science, Natural Science, or related field, plus five (5) years of relevant experience.

Master’s Degree may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience
Licenses or Certifications:

None.

Notes to Applicants

A cover letter and resume are required to be considered for this position.

This position is a part of the Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) group within the Watershed Protection Department (WPD). The purpose of the FEWS is to help protect lives and property during flooding events. The purpose of this position is to provide guidance for and assistance with the installation, configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of hydraulic and hydrologic sensors and associated software, recommendation of low measurement techniques for new and existing monitoring sites, preparation of graphs, tables, maps and data summaries, and serve in the FEWS on-call rotation for storm monitoring and response.

Essential functions and duties specific to this position include:
1. Assists in the maintenance, evaluation, modification and acquisition of FEWS-related hardware and software. This includes providing technical leadership.
2. Recommends flow measurement techniques for new and existing monitoring sites, develops plans for new monitoring sites and performs quality assurance of field data.
3. Serves as a primary on-call FEWS operator. This requires monitoring weather, responding to system pages, closely coordinating with Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) duty officers and other emergency management operators.
4. Prepares graphs, tables, maps and data summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
5. Participates in and prepares presentations for public outreach, public meetings and for other internal and external stakeholders as assigned.
6. Collaborates with Communications and Technology Management (CTM) Wireless Communication Services Division (WCSD) staff on FEWS-related hardware and software upgrades, equipment installations and repair.
7. Participates in training, exercises and drills as requested by WPD, other City departments, HSEM, LCRA or other state/local jurisdictions.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:
The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management maintain the Austin/Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). During area-wide emergencies, the EOC serves as the command center for the City of Austin and Travis County response and recovery operations.

Job Offer is contingent on passing a Criminal Background Investigation in order to access secure facilities.

TRAVEL:
If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program,
you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties.
Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

EDUCATION:
Verification of education will be conducted on the top candidate.

ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION (Please read carefully):
When completing the City of Austin Employment Application:

• Include details on the application of prior or current work history with the City of Austin.
• A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the employment application but does not substitute for a complete employment application.
• A detailed and complete employment application will help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.
• Include any previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications and relevant experience.
• Your work history must include employer name and address, job title, supervisor’s name and contact number, the month and year of employment and detailed description of the work you performed. We do not accept “See Resume” and your application will be considered incomplete.
• Any relevant work history on the resume must be reflected in the employment application in order to be considered.

Pay Range

$28.01 – $36.41

Hours

40 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

May require working outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as dictated by business needs.

Required to be in an on-call rotation, two weeks on-call out of every eight weeks.

Job Close Date
02/21/2021
Type of Posting External
Department Watershed Protection
Regular/Temporary Regular
Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable
Category Professional
Location 505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas
Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in hydrology, performing hydrologic equipment installation, maintenance and monitoring, hydrologic data collection and analysis, experience with hydrologic modeling (HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS), ArcGIS.
• Familiarity with emergency management and city government.
• Familiarity with meteorology and/or Earth science.
• Familiarity with web-based platforms for data sharing and using/querying databases.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

1. Develops plans for new monitoring stations
2. Recommends flow measurement techniques for new and existing monitoring sites
3. Determines the most effective methods and protocols to make stream discharge measurements.
4. Configures, installs and maintains a wide variety of sensing, recording and communications equipment.
5. Calibrates maintains and repairs various stormwater monitoring equipment.
6. Preforms detailed quality assurance of field data and assures compliance with technical standards.
7. Performs full range of field water quality analyses.
8. Collects, processes and prepares a full range of water quality samples for laboratory analyses.
9. Uses remote sensing techniques (GPS/GIS) to locate stormwater infrastructure in compliance with state and federal permits.
10. Prepares graphs, tables, maps and data summaries for publication.
11. Leads field sessions with students and professionals.
Responsibilities

Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
Knowledge of city practice, policy, and procedures.
Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Skill in using computers and related software applications.
Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to train others.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.
EEO/ADA

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or TTY (512) 974-2445.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.