Hydrologist

Bureau of Reclamation; Weaverville (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Bureau of Reclamation seeks a lead physical scientist for hydrology and geomorphology on the TRRP Science Branch. You will guide technical studies and integrate results into program guidance, while providing scientific input for restoration efforts such as flow releases, bank work, gravel augmentation, riparian and floodplain restoration, and sediment management.

The role focuses on developing flow-release hydrographs and evaluating geomorphic, hydrologic, and thermal responses across watershed

Qualifications

• Degree in physical or natural science, or engineering with at least 30 semester hours in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, or related fields including calculus and physics.
• Specialized experience includes performing hydrologic or hydraulic modeling and/or analysis for studies.
• For GS-11+ , one full year of experience equivalent to GS-09 or Ph.D./3 years of graduate education in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead physical scientist for hydrology & geomorphology on the TRRP Science Branch team.
• Manage technical studies and integrate results into program guidance.
• Provide scientific and design input for restoration projects (flow releases, bank work, gravel augmentation, riparian & floodplain restoration, sediment management, watershed improvements).
• Develop flow-release hydrographs and evaluate geomorphic, hydrologic, and thermal responses.

Skills

Hydrology

Geomorphology

Hydraulic modeling

Data analysis

Scientific input

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical or natural science or engineering

Master's degree in hydrology or related field

Ph.D. in relevant field

Job description

This position is the lead physical scientist for hydrology & geomorphology on the TRRP Science Branch team. Involves managing technical studies, integrating results into program guidance, and providing scientific & design input for restoration projects such as flow releases, bank work, gravel augmentation, riparian & floodplain restoration, sediment management, and watershed improvements. Focuses on developing flow-release hydrographs & evaluating geomorphic, hydrologic, and thermal responses.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/01/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements

In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

• Degree: physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
• OR
• Combination of education and experience in course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience. Acceptable experience must have included performance of scientific functions related to the study of water resources, based, and requiring a professional knowledge of related sciences and the consistent application of basic scientific principles to the solution of theoretical and practical hydrologic problems.

To qualify for the GS-9 position;

Possess one full year of experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-07 grade level (obtained in the private, state, or federal sector).

Specialized experience includes performing hydrologic or hydraulic modeling and/or analysis for studies for a wide variety of projects and investigations under the supervision of a senior team member.

• OR have successfully completed a masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics.
• OR combination of specialized experience and education totaling at least 100%

To qualify for the GS-11 position

Possess one full year of experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-09 grade level (obtained in the private, state, or federal sector).

Specialized experience includes 1) performing hydrologic or hydraulic modeling and/or analysis for studies for a wide variety of projects and investigations; 2) evaluating facility operations; complex hydrologic modelling and data analyses.

• OR have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics.
• OR combination of specialized experience and education totaling at least 100%

To qualify for the GS-12 position

Possess one full year of experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-11 grade level (obtained in the private, state, or federal sector).

Specialized experience includes:

• 1) performing hydrologic or hydraulic modeling and/or analysis for studies for a wide variety of projects and investigations related to flood damage reduction, flood risk management, dam and levee safety, navigation, ecosystem restoration, irrigation and municipal water use and reservoir regulation operation planning and program management, analyzing and calculating flow characteristics;
• 2) evaluating facility or waterway capacities and operations; complex hydrologic modelling and data analyses; hydrologic risk estimation and analyses; conducting hydrologic extremes analyses (e.g., flood frequency, drought); analysis of the adequacy of water supplies available from surface and/or subsurface sources after consideration of water rights.

Volunteer Experience:

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.