Operational Hydrologist

Lynker Corporation; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

PTO and holidays

401(k) with company match

ESOP - employee ownership

Job summary

Lynker Corporation seeks an Operational Hydrologist to join our team embedded at the NWS/SERFC. You will lead FIRO tool design, test, and deployment within a robust operations framework and collaborate with Lynker, CW3E, CIROH, and NOAA.

The role requires strong modeling skills, experience with hydrologic forecasting concepts, and proficiency in Python or R for data analysis, with an emphasis on reliability for public safety forecasts.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s with relevant experience in hydrology/hydrometeorology.
• Hands-on experience with hydrologic models and forecasting concepts.
• Proficiency in Python or R for scientific analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead R2O implementation of FIRO tools and advanced hydrologic models.
• Develop, calibrate, test, and verify hydrologic models; assist with software testing.
• Integrate new tools with CHPS; ensure robustness for public safety forecasts.

Skills

Python

R

Hydrologic modeling

Communication

CHPS familiarity

Education

PhD in Hydrology / Civil or Environmental Eng / Atmospheric Science or related

Master’s degree + 2+ years experience in hydrology/hydrometeorology

Tools

SAC-SMA

National Water Model

HEFS/CHPS familiarity

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.