Hydrologist I

Las Vegas Valley Water District

8d•$109,754•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, collects, processes and reports a variety of hydrologic, well production and water quality data from various locations throughout Southern Nevada; participates in the deployment, maintenance and repair of field systems to monitor hydrologic conditions and well production; analyzes data and prepares technical memoranda, reports and data submittals; and performs related duties as assigned. Hydrologist I is the entry-level class in the professional Hydrologist class series. Incumbents perform entry level assignments primarily focused on the collection and processing of hydrologic data throughout the Las Vegas Valley, small systems, Lower White River System and Northern Resources Area in accordance with established division policies and Field Operating Procedures. Incumbents perform basic data analyses following approved workflows and documenting methods and assumptions in accordance with detailed Operating Procedures. With experience, work becomes more diversified and difficult and is performed with increasing independence. Hydrologist I is distinguished from Hydrologist II in that incumbents in the latter class have full responsibility for the design, development, administration and evaluation of hydrologic research programs and projects which require a detailed understanding of complex hydrologic systems.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Theories, principles and practices of hydrology and geology as applied to water resources and availability in the Colorado River Basin and Southern Nevada; scientific methods and techniques used in the study and analysis of ground water, surface water and aquifer characteristics; hydrologic analysis and modeling software, tools and scripting languages applicable to responsibilities; Nevada’s Safe Drinking Water Act and other federal, state and local laws and regulations related to ground and surface water and the environment; EPA sampling and preservation protocols; principles and practices of sound business communication; basic customer relationship management principles and practices.
Ability to: Perform hydrologic analyses using scientific methods, databases and computer modeling software, with a high degree of scientific accuracy; identify needs and priorities, organize work and exercise judgement and initiative in carrying out responsibilities; troubleshoot and resolve monitoring network problems and issues efficiently; present technical scientific data, reports and presentations clearly and concisely and in a manner appropriate to a variety of audiences; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; work collaboratively with other members of the Water Resources team and other departments; establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, representatives of other agencies, contractors, consultants and others encountered in the course of work.
Training and Experience: A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in geology, hydrology, civil engineering or a closely related field; and two years of progressively responsible professional hydrologic experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. An advanced degree in a relevant major may be substituted for the required experience.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: A valid Nevada driver's license and ability to maintain insurability under the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Responsibilities

Participates in the collection, processing and reporting of a variety of hydrologic data from multiple types of surface water, groundwater, precipitation and meteorological monitoring networks in the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas Wash, small systems areas, Northern Resources area and other locations; collects field data using a variety of measuring devices and logging instrumentation; reviews data and follows QA/QC procedures to ensure it is accurate, traceable and appropriately qualified; analyzes and processes monitoring data using specialized software; identifies and takes appropriate action to resolve errors and data anomalies; identifies and reports on trends and abnormal events; maintains databases, assembles data and drafts technical memoranda, reports and data submittals in accordance with established procedures and requirements.
Participates in the administration, maintenance and repair of field monitoring systems; tracks and interprets data and reports on changes in well and pump performance and efficiency; analyzes and processes production and well pressure transducer data for submittal to the State Engineer; conducts surface water measurements, setting up, using and maintaining specialized gaging stations, equipment and tools; troubleshoots, calibrates instrumentation and makes minor repairs to field equipment; ensures the prompt resolution of any network, telemetry, equipment or instrumentation problems or failures requiring additional action; oversees the Lower White River Flow System monitoring network and drafts required data submittals and reports.
Oversees assigned well construction, development and testing activities, ensuring all workplace safety and environmental protection measures are being followed; collects and documents hydrologic data and well drilling parameters and activities; may participate in decommissioning of wells and monitoring sites including the removal of equipment and site remediation.
Collects water quality sample data as required from production and monitoring wells, domestic and shallow network and small system wells, the Las Vegas Wash and its tributaries and the Muddy River; assists in the selection of sampling sites; ensures EPA sampling, preservation and chain of custody protocols are followed in sample collection processes; performs sampling as required for permit compliance monitoring applicable to the LVVWD Aquifer Storage and Recovery program; conducts water quality chemistry analyses of samples for nitrates and a variety of other substances and documents results; performs quarterly sampling of the ten-well Las Vegas Valley nitrate groundwater monitoring network; evaluates and maintains water quality sampling databases for analysis.
Provides technical support for Colorado River basin hydrologic modeling and development of policy scenarios; post-processes modeling results and produces Power BI dashboards and observations; manages multiple databases, using scripting languages and other technology tools to create visualization products for management use in policy discussions; provides modeling support in creating differing Colorado River supply scenarios for use in developing the annual SNWA Water Resource Plan; updates and maintains various Colorado River databases and products.
Provides technical support and performs a variety of assigned field activities supporting water resource investigations.
Participates in research of new monitoring equipment and technologies and recommends equipment purchases to meet organizational needs.
May perform hydrologic modeling of small systems; updates and verifies models; maintains associated databases and develops reports for distribution, including to external partners; develops hydrologic graphics for assigned systems.
May represent SNWA at external meetings and develop meeting summaries of issues and discussion points.
Represents the Division in the organization and retention of Water Resources documents and files as part of the organization’s Information Governance processes.
Performs special projects as requested.