Senior Hydrogeologist/Groundwater Modeling Team Leader

True Environmental; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Matrix New World Engineering, a part of True Environmental, seeks a Senior Groundwater Modeler to lead our groundwater flow and transport modeling efforts in Arizona. You will manage technical work, mentor junior staff, and interface with clients and regulators.

The role requires 10+ years in groundwater modeling, expertise in MODFLOW/MT3D/FEFLOW, and strong writing skills for permitting and proposals. Arizona-focused experience is essential, with a leadership mindset and collaborative team

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or Environmental Science with a Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of groundwater modeling/hydrogeology/water resources experience.
• Proficiency in MODFLOW, MT3D, FEFLOW and Groundwater Vistas.
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro and Python scripting.
• Leadership experience and strong technical writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage technical aspects of groundwater flow and solute transport modeling projects from CSM to calibration and application.
• Lead data acquisition, analysis, permitting support, and report preparation for projects.
• Assist with budgeting, proposals, and invoicing for groundwater resources projects.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the groundwater modeling team and serve as primary internal contact.
• Interface with clients as Project Manager and Senior Hydrogeologist to discuss findings and permitting needs.
• Mentor and train junior groundwater modelers and hydrogeologists.

Skills

Groundwater modeling

Hydrogeology

Project management

Technical writing

Python scripting

ArcGIS Pro

Leadership

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geology/Hydrogeology/Environmental Science

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MODFLOW

MT3D

FEFLOW

Groundwater Vistas

ArcGIS Pro

Python

Job description

Matrix New World Engineering, a part of True Environmental and its partner firms, have united their strengths to establish the nation’s premier environmental and engineering services consulting firm. This powerhouse organization offers an extensive range of services aimed at revolutionizing the built environment and preserving the natural one. Its diverse expertise encompasses environmental remediation, urban planning, engineering iconic coastal and marine structures, developing sustainable energy sources, and pioneering resource extraction methods. Explore further at www.MWNE.com and True-Environmental.com to discover the full scope of our capabilities.

Our Arizona Water Services Group focuses on hydrogeological and environmental consulting with offices in Phoenix and Prescott and remote staff located in North and South America. The ideal candidate will have senior-level experience in groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling for water resources and environmental consulting projects and function as the lead groundwater modeler in the modeling team. This candidate will have advanced technical, communication, and writing skills.

What you’ll do

• Lead and manage technical aspects of groundwater flow and solute transport modeling projects including Conceptual Site Model (CSM) development, model design, construction, calibration, and application of numerical models as well as conducting sensitivity and uncertainty analyses.

• Lead and manage other aspects of groundwater resources and environmental consulting projects including data acquisition, data analysis, permitting support, and report preparation.

• Assist with and/or manage multiple groundwater resources and environmental consulting projects including cost estimating, proposal preparation, budget tracking, and invoicing.

• Assist with and/or manage day-to-day operations of the groundwater modeling team, ensuring on-time delivery of high-quality work and acting as the primary internal contact for project execution.

• Interface with clients as the Project Manager and Senior Hydrogeologist for projects, including but not limited to:

  • Groundwater resources studies and hydrology studies to support Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) permitting programs, such as the Assured and Adequate Water Supply (AWS) determinations, Well Spacing - Well Impact studies and Underground Storage Facility (USF) applications
  • Remedial investigations/feasibility studies, including water quality studies to support Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) permitting programs, such as the Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) and Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permit applications
  • Hydrogeologic characterization in support of developing managed aquifer recharge (MAR) sites and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells, complete with aquifer impact analyses including projected groundwater mounding and potential mobilization of contaminants in the vadose zone and aquifer

• Serve as primary modeling liaison with clients, stakeholders, and federal and state regulatory personnel including meetings to discuss technical findings and project permitting requirements

• Mentor, supervise, and train junior groundwater modelers and hydrogeologists

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or Environmental Science; Master’s degree preferred
• Professional Experience: 10 years in groundwater modeling/hydrogeology/water resources and/or the engineering/environmental remediation sectors
• Modeling Software: Proficiency in analytical and numerical groundwater flow and transport modeling using the Modular Finite-Difference Flow Model (MODFLOW), Model Transport in 3 Dimensional (MT3D) and Finite Element Subsurface Flow System (FEFLOW) suites of software and Groundwater Vistas graphical user interface (GUI) processing applications
• Support Software: Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS Pro) and Python script development
• Modeling Experience: Extensive groundwater modeling experience and familiarity with the unique groundwater challenges and regulations in Arizona and the arid Southwestern United States
• Experience with Arizona regulatory standards and guidelines for groundwater modeling
• Experience with developing and applying groundwater flow and transport models in support of environmental compliance, hydrogeologic evaluation and decision making and litigation support
• Additional Requirements: At least 2 years of senior leadership experience
• Project management experience in groundwater resources or environmental consulting projects
• Efficient proposal writer and cost estimator with very proficient technical writing skills
• Capable of working on multiple projects in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented environment

Preferred Requirements

• Familiarity with parameter estimation tools such as Parameter Elimination (PEST) and pilot point parameterization software
• Experience interpreting geologic, hydrogeologic and analytical data to develop and use conceptual hydrogeologic and predictive computer models
• Familiarity and experience with APP, AZPDES and USF modeling requirements; additional experience with Passive Containment Capture Zone (PCCZ) demonstrations a plus
• Registered Geologist (RG) in AZ or other state preferred; ability to obtain AZ registration within 12 months if not already licensed
• Experience supporting mining permitting and compliance
• Advanced proficiency in working with large model datasets using script development, text editors, spreadsheets, and supporting computer programs
• Strong communication, information technology, and data management skills

About Matrix

Matrix, a part of True Environmental and its partner firms, have united their strengths to establish the nation’s premier environmental and engineering services consulting firm. This powerhouse organization offers an extensive range of services aimed at revolutionizing the built environment and preserving the natural one. Its diverse expertise encompasses environmental remediation, urban planning, engineering iconic coastal and marine structures, developing sustainable energy sources, and pioneering resource extraction methods. Explore further at www.MWNE.com and True-Environmental.com to discover the full scope of our capabilities.

Matrix’s local Arizona offices have extensive expertise in groundwater flow and transport modeling; water resources; production well design, installation and testing; water system engineering; various water, pollutant, and land permitting; Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs); soil and groundwater characterization / remediation; petroleum leaking underground storage tank (LUST) site assessments; developing site assessment and remedial action plans; CSM development; design of drilling programs for installation of groundwater monitor wells and soil vapor extraction (SVE) wells; GIS and much more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.