TCEQ - Hydrologist II

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

457 plan

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Job summary

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is seeking a Hydrologist to join the Water Availability Division. You will review surface water right applications, apply WRAP, WAMs, and hydrologic models, and communicate findings to staff and stakeholders.

The role involves GIS data work with ArcGIS Pro, Excel analysis, and support for public meetings and Commission agenda items.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 2 years of hydrologic work in relevant areas.
• Master's degree with 1 year of experience in related field.
• Doctorate in hydrology or related field.
• Transcripts or CAPPS evaluation may be required to meet minimum qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Review Texas surface water right applications using statutes, rules, policies, and hydrologic methods.
• Apply WRAP, WAMs, and related models to assess water availability.
• Prepare drought reports, update WAMs, and review model deliverables.
• Develop GIS data for water rights and WAM maintenance/updates.

Skills

Surface water rights

Water Availability Models (WAMs)

Surface water hydrologic models

Databases

Microsoft Excel

GIS (ArcGIS Pro)

Education

Bachelor's degree in hydrology, engineering, geology, mathematics, or natural/physical science

Master's degree in hydrology, engineering, geology, mathematics, or natural/physical science

Doctorate in hydrology, engineering, geology, mathematics, or natural/physical science

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Description

Are you a Hydrologist, ready for a unique opportunity to grow with an environmental state agency? Join TCEQ! We bring passion and drive to carry out our mission of protecting our state's public health and natural resources.

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

As a hydrologist within the TCEQ's Office of Water, you will join the Hydrology and Modeling Team in the Water Availability Division's Water Rights Technical Review Section, responsible for reviewing water right applications to determine water availability and whether an applicant impacts existing water rights or the environment.

See Details About What We Do.

See details about surface water rights and water availability.

Here's What You'll Be Doing

The primary responsibility requires complex reviews of applications for Texas surface water rights. These reviews involve applying state statutes, rules, policies, and guidelines, as well as established hydrologic practices and principles. Reviewing water right applications requires the use of Water Availability Models (WAMs) and/or reviews of water right accounting plans. Please note this experience in your resume and application if applicable.

The position requires strong communication skills to effectively present technical or regulatory information to agency staff, water rights stakeholders, and the public. The position provides support by developing materials for use in public meetings, alternate dispute resolutions, and Commission agenda meetings.

Specifically, The Position Is Responsible To

• Apply standard hydrologic practices and principles, the Water Rights Analysis Package (WRAP) and TCEQ's Water Availability Models (WAMs), and statistical procedures to complete complex hydrological reviews of surface water right applications.
• Utilize data management skills to prepare drought reports, draft TCEQ's WAMs updates, and review model contract deliverables.
• Utilize Microsoft Excel's advanced features to complete reviews of water right accounting plans.
• Develop, analyze, and manage Geographic Information System (GIS) data (with ArcGIS PRO) for water rights, water rights applications and WAM maintenance/ updates.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with surface water rights.
• Experience using Water Availability Models (WAMs) and/or surface water simulation models.
• Experience working with surface water hydrologic models.
• Experience working with databases and Excel.
• Experience using Geographic Information System (GIS) (ArcGIS PRO).

Required Education & Experience

A bachelor's degree in hydrology, engineering, geology, mathematics, or natural or physical science from an accredited college or university, plus two years of full-time experience performing hydrologic work of similar character, scope, and complexity in the areas listed in examples of work performed.

OR

A master's degree in hydrology, engineering, geology, mathematics, or a natural or physical science from an accredited college or university, plus one year of the full-time experience.

OR

A doctorate in hydrology, engineering, geology, mathematics, or a natural or physical science from an accredited college or university.

Employees in this classification series may research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure, including but not limited to a communication infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment facility. See Tex. Business & Commerce Code Section 117.001(2). Accordingly, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a requirement to be hired for and to continue to be employed with TCEQ.

TRANSCRIPTS / COLLEGE HOURS OR COURSE WORK

See instructions on how to attach documents. A copy of your official college transcript or evaluation of foreign credentials in CAPPS is required if needed to meet the minimum qualification requirements outlined above.

Work Schedule

Standard business hours are M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Individual and work group schedule determined by the TCEQ Water Availability Division.

Benefits

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Insurance: Health, Vision, Dental, and optional FSA
• Paid day(s) off from work on national holidays and holidays that the state observes
• Professional development opportunities
• Longevity pay based on your number of years working for the state
• Wellness Program and Activities
• Onsite Nurse Practitioner in HQ
• Work-Life Balance

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

TCEQ will conduct a criminal history records search, driving history (if required for the job) on candidates offered employment.

In compliance with ADA, if you need any special accommodations during the employment process, please contact HRSS for assistance at [phone].

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) CODES

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes can be found at: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/. Please click the hyperlink under `Occupational Category¿` for the respective Class Title.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is an Equal Opportunity Employer.