Hydrologist

Title: Hydrologist

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience (Up to $85,000)

Agency: Dept of Emergency Management

Location: VDEM Headquarters

Agency Website: https://www.vaemergency.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) is seeking a qualified candidate to join our Flood Intel Unit as a Hydrologist.

The Hydrologist will serve as the agency’s Flood Intel Unit (FIU) hydro-meteorological expert and ensures the enhancement of both local and state government resilience to flooding events into the future. This position will also serve as the co-manager of the Commonwealth’s Early Flood Warning System (EFWS).

The hydrologic functions of this unit are to mitigate loss of life and property damages by flood and drought, conduct the necessary preparation activities for provision and timely use and communication of accurate National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts, watches and warnings, and share hydro-meteorological data and intel available to pertinent all applicable agency stakeholders. Coordination of the agency’s hydro-meteorological efforts will be in conjunction with Virginia-based NWS Weather Forecast Offices (WFO), any additional NWS entities such as the regional River Forecast Centers and National Water Center, the United States Geological Society (USGS) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The Hydrologist will assist the Program Manager in reporting compliance to the General Assembly for all flooding-related allocations and serve as the primary contributor to flood event operations within the Commonwealth.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with managing or working with early flood warning systems.
• Demonstrated ability to perform a variety of analysis and research to include the fields of flood mitigation, climate science, hydrology.
• Experience in hydrology, especially in the area of hydrology/hydraulic principles as they apply to hydrologic modeling.
• Ability to make recommendations including innovative solutions encompassing flood monitoring initiatives within the Commonwealth.
• Experience with collaborating with federal, state, local government, higher institutions of education, research centers and non-profit organizations.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical hydro-meteorological concepts and operational information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage projects to effectively achieve results and direct the work of others.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), leadership skills, organizational skills, research skills, analytical skills, program and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise others performing field surveying activities.
• Valid Driver’s License is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in physical or natural sciences, geophysics, hydrology, water resources, engineering science, meteorology, oceanography, public administration, or planning is preferred or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Knowledge of National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, United States Army Corps of Engineers and United States Geological Service hydro-focused programs, tools and initiatives are highly desired.
• Experience/training in use of hydro-meteorological software platforms and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)/ visualization decision support tools is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of grants programs is also desired.

Special Instructions: 

Applications will only be accepted on-line through the State Job website. Applications must include all work history and references. The decision to interview an applicant is solely based on the information provided in the application materials. Therefore, it is essential to provide enough information to make this assessment.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a fingerprint-based criminal history background check, Division of Motor Vehicle check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. The selected candidate must complete a State of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment, if applicable (Va. Code 2.2-3114). Other financial, credit, driving, or degree verification checks prior to employment may be required for certain positions. This position is restricted due to funding sources.

A one-year probationary period is required of all newly hired and re-hired Commonwealth of Virginia employees.

The salary for this position is negotiable up to the maximum hiring range listed in this posting. Offers will not be made outside of the hiring range.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800- 552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 804-912-7254

Email: Humanresources@vdem.virginia.gov