Senior Hydrologist - United Water Conservation District : Job Details

DEFINITION

Under the supervision of the Water Resources Manager/Supervisor, the Senior Hydrologist position is classified as professional management position. This position supports the District's water resource management functions and performs a variety of complex hydrology-related field and office duties. The Senior Hydrologist advises District management, Operations and Maintenance, Environmental Services, and Engineering Departments staff on surface water operations and other water resource management activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Receives directions from the Water Resources Manager/Supervisor. Works independently and with others to optimize the District's water resource management activities. Exercises supervision over technical support staff and consultants as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collects, compiles, analyzes and archives information on surface water and groundwater conditions within the Santa Clara River watershed and the Oxnard coastal plain for the purpose of guiding the District's water resource operations to optimize the beneficial use of available water supplies.

• Supervises, assigns, and performs fieldwork associated with the collection of surface water data, groundwater information, and related hydrologic data.

• Leads monitoring and regulatory reporting efforts related to water resource management

• Gauges surface water flows at various locations throughout the District.

• Oversees calibration of automated gauges and stage-discharge relationships at Freeman Diversion and other locations.

• Manages the program of annual water releases from Santa Felicia Dam by evaluating District-wide water conditions, convening staff meetings as necessary, and making recommendations to District management on the optimal timing and rates for releases of water. Advises operations and maintenance staff on the implementation of the release.

• Assists with management of the District's State Water importation program by evaluating annual water conditions, making recommendations to District management for annual purchase amounts, and coordinating orders for State Water with the Administrative Services Department.

• Manages releases of storm water from Castaic and Pyramid Lakes by closely monitoring and coordinating releases with DWR, understanding contractual requirements, and verifying the amounts of water received.

• Negotiates or participates in negotiations with outside agencies from the perspective of preserving the District's water supplies for the benefit of United's customers.

• Manages the District's water rights reporting requirements. Collects and compiles the necessary information in order to file the required reports, verify the accuracy of release and diversion flow measurements, and conduct necessary correspondence related to water rights.

• Provides information to all departments to support engineering, planning, environmental, operations and other water resource work by District staff. Evaluates and provides technical information to governmental entities, the public, and technical consultants. Confirms appropriate use of such information and provides technical assistance as appropriate.

• Provides information to District counsel as requested and advises on hydrologic and water resource matters.

• Makes presentations on a wide variety of water resources-related topics to various technical and non-technical groups. Make presentations to United's Board of Directors and various board committees.

• Generates a monthly report on surface water conditions for the Board of Directors.

• Manages the development and implementation of surface water studies.

• Monitors and evaluates the activities of other agencies that may affect the District's water supply. Advises District management of any such activities that may adversely affect the District.

• Develops and calibrates computer models of surface flows, including interactions with groundwater.

• Assists with permitting District operations and facilities.

• Represents the District with other agencies and with the general public.

• Provides guidance and instructions to technicians and fisheries biologists with respect to hydrological data acquisition, facility operations, and permit requirements for surface water flows for environmental purposes.

• Reviews technical reports and hydraulic modeling results pertained to Santa Felicia Dam and provides support to Engineering and Operations.

• Other duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Hydrology, hydraulics, water resource management, limnology and civil engineering.

• Practice and principles of stream gauging and flow measurement devices.

• Practice and principles of surveying and field data collection, including GPS devices.

• Surface water modeling and analysis.

• Word Processing, spreadsheets, database operations, and GIS.

• Principles of supervision.

• Federal and State regulations associated with groundwater and surface water, including water quality standards.

• Statistical analysis, methods, and application

• Unit Analysis.

Ability to:

• Supervise engineers, field staff and fisheries biologists.

• Manage the optimization of the District's water operations.

• Ability to comprehend and apply principles of algebra, trigonometry, and hydraulics.

• Ability to comprehend calculus. Ability to generate and program computer models.

• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to solving a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.

• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, maps, etc.). Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.

• Ability to make oral presentations on controversial or complex topics to District management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.

• Ability to work effectively with staff, the public, consultants, and other governmental entities.

• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet schedules.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology or related field from a four-year college or university is required. Progressive professional experience ranging from 7 to 15 years relevant to this position is desirable. An M.S. degree in Civil Engineering or Hydrology is preferred. Years spent earning relevant advanced degrees may be accepted as a substitute for professional work experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a valid California driver's license. Licensing as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the State of California and/or Professional Hydrologist certification by the American Institute of Hydrology is preferred. Employee is encouraged to earn PE or AIH certification within two years of promotion to this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor conditions may include rain, high winds, and unusually high or low temperatures and exposure to outside elements. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may also be occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and high, precarious places. The following are additional requirements of the position:

• Mobility: Job tasks are varied and require standing, walking (sometimes on uneven terrain), wading, sitting, climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, and crawling.
• Wading in stream channels in order to gauge flows, while carrying equipment; water may be cold.
• Lifting: frequent lifting up to 15 pounds; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Vision: constant use of overall vision, including near vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Dexterity: occasional grasping, fine manipulation, reaching, pushing, and pulling; occasional use of touch to distinguish or identify objects.
• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
• Emotional/Psychological: frequent contact with coworkers and others; depending on assignment, may also frequently work alone. The employee is also expected to respond in emergency situations.
• Environmental: exposure to moderate noise levels, and hearing protection may be required at times; occasional exposure to chemicals; occasionally uses smell to distinguish or identify objects.