Hydrologist

Department: NATURAL RESOURCES

Reports To: WATER RESOURCES PROGRAM MANAGER

Job Status: EXEMPT

Type: FULL TIME

Grade: I

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Water Resources Program Manager, the Hydrologist will be responsible for coordinating hydrologic monitoring and assessment projects and assisting in day-to-day coordination of water resource field staff. Job duties include field data collection, quality assurance/quality control, database management, data analyses, developing inferences from such analyses, and preparing technical reports, as well as providing review of hydrology-related technical work products

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

OTHER DUTIES:

• Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not relate to their regular responsibilities.
  

PREFERENCE:

Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe. Tribal Enrollment Documents are required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following qualifications are required for the applicant to be considered for the position.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, hydrology, geology, geomorphology, environmental science, watershed science, forestry, or similar degree.
• At least five years of professional experience working in the field of water resources and watershed processes, as well as data acquisition, data management, data analysis, and report preparation.
• A Master’s degree in one of the fields listed above may substitute for two years of required experience.

Experience coordinating and supervising staff in water resources field data collection.

REQUIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES OF POSITION:

• Understand and assess the effect of development, land management, and climate change on surface water quality and quantity.
• Understand the effects of water quality and quantity impacts on Indian Treaty resources (e.g., fish and shellfish, as well as habitat).
• Ability to collect field data, prepare study designs, and perform data analysis.
• Experience with and the ability to apply GIS (e.g., ESRI GIS) and statistical software to analyze data.
• Be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software products.
• Strong understanding of surface water and groundwater hydrology, water quality, and related watershed processes, especially those related to water temperature, suspended sediment, stormwater, and agricultural and industrial contaminants, and the effects of climate change on watershed processes and habitat restoration.
• Experience with a variety of methods to assess and monitor water quantity, including measurement of stream discharge, water level, spatial modeling, and operation and maintenance of monitoring equipment.
• Knowledge of Washington State and federal regulations pertaining to water quantity (e.g., water rights management) and western water law (key legal decisions, guiding principles).
• Coordinate and supervise field crews.
Apply effective written and oral communication skills.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment.
Must pass criminal background check at time of hire and periodically thereafter.

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. ( Must provide three-year driving abstract at time of hire ).

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.):

Work is characterized by the necessity for considerable physical exertion, and by working under varied weather conditions while exposed to dampness, fumes, odors, dust, dirt, rain, sleet, snow, heat, chemicals, loud noises, and foul odors.

• This position requires work both in the office and in the field. The position will require the ability to work in the field both in streams with slippery rocks and on steep and unstable slopes, at heights above water such as on a bridge, and during inclement weather.
• Work requires climbing, stooping, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, and repetitive motions as well as extended periods of sitting.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces, including river substrate. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• The worker is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles or equipment.
• May be exposed to outside agricultural chemicals (adequate safety equipment provided).
• Frequently walking and lifting up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting of equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to effectively swim.
Ability to read, write, and sit (or stand) at a computer terminal and use hands for keyboarding for extended periods of time on a daily basis

DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION

The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.

• Ability to instruct others on techniques and methods of sampling water quality, water quantity, and other natural resource parameters.
• Understanding of ecosystem services, watershed processes, restoration ecology, wetlands science, climate science, and/or the impact of climate change on natural resource systems.
• Software design and programming (e.g., R, Python, SQL).
• Familiarity with computer modeling of hydrologic systems, both surface and ground water.
• Experience working with Native American tribes and evaluation and assessment of impacts on treaty resources.

I have read and understand the position requirements as stated above I further, understand that occasionally I may be instructed to perform duties that are not listed above but are relative to my position.