Operational Hydrological Forecaster - Earth Sciences

Niwa; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Earth Sciences New Zealand is seeking an early- to mid-career hydrology scientist to enhance real-time flood forecasting capabilities and operate at the interface between research and operations. The role involves collaborating with regional councils and key stakeholders to deliver probabilistic river-flow guidance for emergency response and decision making.

The candidate will help shape hydrology and flood forecasting strategy, implement new models and tools, and contribute to end-to-end

Qualifications

• Early- to mid-career scientist with hydrology expertise.
• Experience bridging research and operations in hydrometeorology.
• Ability to collaborate with regional councils and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to operational hydrological forecasting duties, including a duty roster and potential out-of-hours/on-call response.
• Translate rainfall forecasts into hydrological impact guidance for meteorologists, flood duty officers, emergency managers and other stakeholders.
• Implement, test and verify hydrological forecasting systems at basin and national scales, using ensemble, data-assimilation and rapid flood-inundation approaches.
• Work across meteorology, hydrology, hazards and GIS to transition new models/workflows from research into reliable operational use.
• Contribute to seasonal and subseasonal hydrological forecasting, including drought monitoring, outlooks and early-warning information.
• Develop and lead research and applied projects, prepare proposals and reports, publish scientific outputs, and build relationships with councils, emergency management agencies, iwi and research partners.

Job description

Located in Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland

Permanent Position

Earth Sciences New Zealand is a dynamic research organisation and New Zealand's leading science agency for research on earth system observations and processes, natural hazards, freshwater and ocean environments, climate, and energy systems.

What we're looking for:

This is an exciting opportunity for an early- to mid-career scientist to work at the interface between research and operations. The role will strengthen our hydrometeorological modelling and operational flood inundation forecasting capability, working with regional councils and other key stakeholders to produce real-time guidance that supports emergency response decision-

You will help deliver probabilistic river-flow and real-time flood inundation forecasting guidance to support regional and national decision making across New Zealand, while leading the testing and implementation needed to move new hydrological models, tools and methods into operational use. The role may also contribute to relevant work in the Pacific Islands region.

About the role:

The position will help shape Earth Sciences New Zealand's hydrology and flood forecasting strategy and contribute to the design of future end-to-end, multi-hazard forecasting systems

• Contribute to operational hydrological forecasting duties, including participation in a duty roster and potential out-of-hours and on-call response during major weather and flood events.
• Translate rainfall forecasts into hydrological response and likely impacts, providing real-time interpretation and advice to meteorologists, flood duty officers, emergency managers and other stakeholders.
• Implement, test and verify hydrological and hydraulic forecasting systems at basin and national scales, including ensemble, data-assimilation and rapid flood inundation approaches.
• Work across meteorology, hydrology, hazards and GIS to transition new models, tools and workflows from research into reliable operational use.
• Contribute to seasonal and subseasonal hydrological forecasting, including drought monitoring, outlooks and early-warning information.
• Develop and lead research and applied projects, prepare proposals and reports, publish scientific outputs, and build strong relationships with councils, emergency management agencies, iwi and research partners.