Operational Hydrologist

Lynker; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

PTO and holidays

401(k) matching

Employee stock ownership plan

Tuition assistance

Spot bonuses

Annual recognition awards

Employee referral program

Learning management system

Career growth plans

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

EAP

Training reimbursement

Ownership culture

Job summary

Lynker Corporation seeks an experienced Operational Hydrologist embedded with NWS to lead forecast-informed reservoir operations, model testing, and tool integration within SERFC. You will collaborate with CW3E and CIROH, driving research into operations and enhancing forecast accuracy for public safety.

The role requires strong publications or conference experience, proficiency in Python or R, and a solid background in hydrology modeling.

Qualifications

• PhD in Hydrology, Civil/Environmental Eng or related discipline (recent grads encouraged).
• MS in related field + 2+ years of hydrology/hydrologic modeling experience.
• Hands-on experience with hydrologic models and forecasting concepts.
• Proficiency in Python or R for scientific programming and large datasets.
• Strong written and oral communication, able to collaborate across organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, testing, and implementation of FIRO decision-support tools and other hydrologic models within the SERFC operational environment.
• Conduct hydrologic research, including model development, calibration, testing, verification, and assist with software testing and implementation.
• Support integration of new tools with CHPS, ensuring robustness for public-safety forecasts.
• Analyze and visualize data to evaluate model performance, ensemble forecasts, and reservoir inflow predictions.
• Liaise between CIROH, CW3E, Lynker, and SERFC to ensure research integrates into operations.
• Develop knowledge of Southeast hydrology and partner needs to guide research directions.
• Evaluate existing workflows and recommend improvements for efficiency and forecast accuracy.
• Present forecasts and research findings to stakeholders and at national conferences.
• Lead or contribute to annual scientific reports and peer-reviewed articles.

Skills

Hydrology

Hydrologic modeling

Python/R

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Hydrology

MS in related field

Tools

CHPS

HEFS

SAC-SMA

National Water Model

Job description

Overview

Lynker Corporation is a leading provider of innovative solutions in weather and climate science. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Lynker leverages cutting-edge technologies and scientific expertise to support the creation and delivery of improved operational weather forecasts.As part of our ongoing growth and expansion, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Operational Hydrologist to join our growing team

Support & Collaboration: While this role is embedded at the NWS, you will be backed by a robust support network. You will have direct access to the technical resources and subject matter experts at Lynker, regular collaboration with CW3E researchers, and a peer in Lynker’s embedded hydrologist at the Northwest RFC. Lynker program management will support you with planning, progress tracking, and coordination across Lynker, CW3E, CIROH, and NOAA. This ensures you have the institutional backing, data access, and collaborative power needed to succeed in this high-visibility R2O initiative.

Responsibilities

Duties of the Operational Hydrologist will include the following:

R2O Implementation & Research

• R2O Implementation: Lead the design, testing, and experimental implementation of FIRO decision-support tools and other advanced hydrologic models and forecasting techniques within the SERFC operational environment.
• Model Development & Testing: Conduct hydrologic research, including model development, calibration, testing, and verification; assist with software testing and implementation, and experiment with new models at the local level.
• Operational Integration: Support the integration of new tools and workflows with the NWS Community Hydrologic Prediction System (CHPS), with attention to the robustness and reliability required for public safety forecasts.
• Analysis & Verification: Analyze and visualize data to evaluate model performance, ensemble forecasts, and reservoir inflow predictions, including during tropical cyclones and other high-impact events.

Collaboration & Operations-to-Research

• Liaison: Serve as the liaison between CIROH, CW3E, Lynker, and SERFC to ensure effective integration of research into operations, and of operations into research.
• Regional Insight: Develop in-depth knowledge of Southeast hydrology and partner needs, including reservoir operations, and bring those insights back to FIRO researchers to guide future research and development.
• Workflow Improvement: Evaluate existing operational workflows and recommend improvements that enhance efficiency and forecast accuracy.

Communication & Publishing

• Presentations: Present forecasts and research findings to stakeholders and at national scientific conferences.
• Publications: Lead or contribute to annual scientific reports and peer-reviewed journal articles.

Qualifications

The Operational Hydrologist selected should have the following:

• Education & Experience:
• o A Ph.D. in Hydrology, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Atmospheric Science, or a related discipline (recent graduates are encouraged to apply); OR
• o A Master’s degree in a related discipline and 2+ years of professional experience in hydrology, hydrologic modeling, or hydrometeorology.
• Hydrologic Modeling: Hands-on experience with hydrologic models (e.g., SAC-SMA, the National Water Model, or other conceptual or physically based models) and a solid understanding of hydrologic forecasting concepts.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Python or R for scientific programming and the analysis of large hydrologic and meteorological datasets.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with forecasters, researchers, and partners across multiple organizations.

The Ideal Hydrologist selected will have the following:

• FIRO & Reservoir Operations: Experience with Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations, reservoir operations, or similar water management decision-support approaches.
• Operational Forecasting: Familiarity with NWS operational forecasting systems, such as CHPS and the Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast Service (HEFS).
• Ensemble Forecasting: Experience with ensemble forecasts, probabilistic verification, or risk-based decision support.
• Southeast Hydrometeorology: Knowledge of hydrometeorological hazards common to the Southeast, such as tropical cyclones, coastal and compound flooding, and extreme rainfall; or experience with atmospheric river research.
• Software Engineering: Familiarity with modern software development practices (version control, containerization) to streamline model deployment.
• Research Record: Peer-reviewed publications or presentations at scientific conferences.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place - creatively and effectively. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities - creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.