TWDB 26-71 Surface Water Modeler (Hydrologist IVEngineer III)

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 in the CAPPS online application system at Please visit our job opportunities page at 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 Boards Mission - Leading the states 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 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. 

*Licensed Engineering candidates external to TWDB will be eligible to receive a $5000 recruitment bonus if selected* 

**Must meet agency in-office requirements**

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

Salary Ranges:

• Hydrologist IV: $5425.34/month - $7750.74/month***
• Engineer III: $5797.67/month - $7750.74/month***

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Performs highly complex to advanced (seniorlevel) hydrologic hydraulic and hydrodynamic modeling computational analysis and programming in support of coastal water resources assessments environmental flow evaluations and water supply/flood planning initiatives. Work involves overseeing maintaining and applying a suite of numerical models across watershed riverine and estuarine domains. Develops maintains and improves models data methods and automated workflows and supports model integration visualization and dissemination through agency data platforms. Emphasizes scientific computing Python development Linux/HPC modeling workflows and interdisciplinary numerical analysis. May provide leadership in technical areas serve as a liaison with stakeholders and contributes to agency planning and emergency response modeling. Works under limited to minimal supervision with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager of the Coastal Science Department.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Oversees development maintenance and application of hydrologic hydraulic and hydrodynamic models of watersheds rivers estuaries and coastal systems. 
• Writes executes and maintains Python Fortran and shell programs and scripts in a Linux/Unix environment. 
• Serves as Lead Oil Spill Coordinator for the Oil Spill Prevention and Response contract by modifying testing and implementing improved models and automated scripts to advance oil spill trajectory modeling; provides on-demand simulation of currents and spill trajectories for emergency response.
• Automates numerical models by porting legacy codes and scripts to modern Python based workflows. 
• Revises model source codes to implement new algorithms and improve model performance and functionality. 
• Runs large scale modeling workflows on Linux and high performance computing (HPC) systems including parallel computing environments. 
• Coordinates with data scientists and analysts within the division to integrate modeled data and visualizations including oil spill forecast simulations and other hydrodynamic model output into Water for Texas Data.
• Acquires and processes input data for various models including precipitation flow bathymetry land use soil characteristics winds tides and other environmental datasets. 
• Conducts statistical and geospatial analyses to support environmental flow studies water resource planning and model validation. 
• Integrates modeled data and visualizations into agency data platforms including TWDB agency and public web services. 
• May assist with approaches to determine sediment transport and geomorphic conditions in Texas waters.
• Writes reviews and evaluates technical memos reports work processes and policy documents. 
• Coordinates with TWDB agency and external partners to develop and implement modeling studies and analyses. 
• Plans and participates in field studies including planning on site work equipment installation data acquisition and data management. 
• Serves as liaison and provides data models information and technical support to stakeholder groups scientific committees and customers. 
• Serves as contract manager for modeling research and monitoring contracts. 
• Delivers presentations to technical and non technical audiences. 
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information. 
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and disposed of in accordance with records retention requirements. 
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets continuing education needs including attending mandatory training. 
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelors degree in Hydrology Engineering Physical Science or a related field.
• Professional Experience: 
  • Hydrologist IV - Seven years of demonstrated experience developing and applying hydrologic hydraulic and hydrodynamic models for watersheds rivers estuaries and coastal systems. 
  • Engineer III - Five years of demonstrated experience developing and applying hydrologic hydraulic and hydrodynamic models for watersheds rivers estuaries and coastal systems.
• License:
  • Engineer III - Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
• Experience programming or scripting in Python.
• Experience processing analyzing interpreting and displaying large scientific datasets using numerical or visualization tools.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted for each other on a yearforyear basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from or working toward completion of a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Hydrology Engineering Physical Science or a related field.
• Experience developing modifying or running SCHISM (Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model).
• Experience developing modifying or running hydrologic & hydraulic models (e.g. HECHMS HECRAS GSSHA or similar).
• Experience conducting geospatial analysis of environmental and hydrologic data using GIS software or programming tools (e.g. ArcGIS QGIS Python R).
• Experience with remote sensing or geomorphology.
• Experience with command line work flows and shell scripting (e.g. Unix/Linux Windows PowerShell).
• Experience running models on high-performance computing systems including parallel computing (MPI or OpenMP).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• 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 the practical application of scientific engineering statistical modeling and hydrologic principles as well as hydraulics hydrodynamics water quality and water management as applied to watersheds and bay systems. 
• Knowledge of data quality assurance/quality control and relevant modeling and statistical procedures. 
• 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 salinity transport models (e.g. ADCIRC SCHISM ROMS SUNTANS DELFT3D ADH) or other computational/numerical models.
• Skills in developing applying or running hydrologic and hydraulic models (e.g. HEC-HMS GSSHA HEC- RAS) or other computational/numerical models.
• Skills in programming and scripting languages especially Python and in collaborative coding environments such as GitHub.
• Skills in statistical and/or spatial data analysis techniques (e.g. QGIS and ArcGIS).
• Skills in parallel computing (MPI or OpenMP) or High Performance Computing (HPC) systems.
• Skills in using numerical/visualization tools (e.g. SciPy/NumPy Matplotlib Gnuplot).
• Skills in project management and grant/contract administration including time-management and prioritization.
• Skills in scientific data collection management and interpretation including that of modeled or statistical data.
• Skills in writing technical memos reports work process and policy documents.
• Skills in critical thinking. 
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure within Texas.
• 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 all 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 drivers 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 in the CAPPS online application system Please visit our job opportunities page 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:

Email: HR(AT)

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time