SCIENTIST SENIOR

Job Description

The District is recruiting for a senior groundwater modeler position that can be underfilled, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and years of experience. Below are descriptions and qualifications for each level.

The position ofRegional Groundwater Modeler Senior or Level 4 is needed to develop and apply groundwater models to support water resource management decisions of the District in a technically defensible manner.  This position requiresextensive technical expertise, specifically with numerical simulation of groundwater and interaction with surface water and saltwater intrusion modeling. The candidate will have technical responsibility for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating assignments. Primary job duties include groundwater model development, calibration, verification, sensitivity analysis, documentation and model application on a sub-regional scale, including data compilation and review, planning regional investigations and interpretation of aquifer parameters from aquifer tests, use of Geographic Information System (GIS) applications to develop and review model input and output, downloading and QA/QC of hydrological data from the SFWMD DBHydro database or other sources, developing statements of work and technical specifications for projects, contract management, and other duties as assigned. Additional job duties may include review of surface water models used for flood protection and resiliency planning effort as well as coordination with regional hydrologic modeling staff. Familiarity with parameter estimation techniques and simulation of variable-density fluids is desirable.  Project management duties may require management of other staff members as necessary to achieve project completion in a timely manner. 

The position will present analysis, recommendations and status information to the District Management Teams; support litigation efforts by generating technical information, providing expert testimony or preparing others for expert testimony; represent the Agency in modeling related projects and initiatives to stakeholders and partners, including federal, state and local government agencies.

The positionmust possess advanced knowledge of hydrogeologic principles and inter-relationships including all aspects of the hydrologic cycle, and extensive experience with ground water model development and application is required.  Knowledge of MODFLOW and SEAWAT computer codes is highly preferred, but applicants with limited experience in MODFLOW/SEAWAT but experience in other groundwater flow and transport model codes will be considered.  Experience with surface water models such as MIKE SHE, RSM, HEC-RAS is preferred. Familiarity with Microsoft Office products is required. Extensive programming experience in either FORTRAN, C++, Python, or R and scripting languages is highly preferred. Strong technical writing and communications skills are necessary.  The candidate is expected to work independently and in a team environment.

The position ofGroundwater Modeler 3 through2 is responsible to develop and apply groundwater models to support water resource management decisions of the District in a technically defensible manner.  This position requires rudimentarytechnical expertise, specifically with numerical simulation of groundwater and interaction with surface water and saltwater intrusion modeling.   The candidate will have basic proficiency for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating assignments. Primary job duties include data review and compilation, use of Geographic Information System (GIS) applications to develop and review model input and output, downloading and QA/QC of hydrological data from the SFWMD DBHydro and RegDB databases or other sources, assisting in groundwater model development, calibration, verification, sensitivity analysis, documentation and model application on a sub-regional scale, but may also include developing statements of work and technical specifications for projects, contract management, and other duties as assigned.  Familiarity with parameter estimation techniques and simulation of variable-density fluids is desirable.

The positionmust possess knowledge of hydrogeologic principles and inter-relationships including all aspects of the hydrologic cycle, and basic experience with ground water model development and application is required.  Knowledge of MODFLOW and SEAWAT computer codes is highly preferred, but applicants with limited experience in MODFLOW/SEAWAT but experience in other groundwater flow and transport model codes will be considered. Experience with surface water models such as MIKE SHE, RSM, HEC-RAS is preferred. Familiarity with Microsoft Office products is required. Basic programming experience in either FORTRAN, C++, Python, or R and scripting languages is highly preferred. Strong technical writing and communications skills are necessary. The candidate is expected to work independently and in a team environment.

This position primarily office work, in the West Palm Beach HQ office. The position will occasionally travel to other parts of the District. Offsite work requires meeting with stakeholders and other agencies regarding assigned projects and includes public presentations of modeling efforts. 

Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.

Position may be filled as a Senior Groundwater Modeler, Groundwater Modeler 4, Groundwater Modeler 3 or Groundwater Modeler 2

Employment Guidelines:

Senior Groundwater Modeler: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in civil or environmental engineering, geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, or related sciences with 5 or more years of experience that demonstrate measurable career progression with emphasis on a diversity of water resources modeling experience and advanced knowledge of hydrology and hydrogeology. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.  Professional certification as a Florida Professional Engineer-in-Training or Florida Professional Geologist-in-Training is highly desirable.

Groundwater Modeler 4: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in civil or environmental engineering, geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, or related sciences with 4 or more years of experience that demonstrate measurable career progression with emphasis on a diversity of water resources modeling experience and advanced knowledge of hydrology and hydrogeology. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.  Professional certification as a Florida Professional Engineer-in-Training or Florida Professional Geologist-in-Training is highly desirable.

Groundwater Modeler 3: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in civil or environmental engineering, geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, or related sciences with 3 or more years of experience that demonstrate measurable career progression with emphasis on a diversity of water resources modeling experience and advanced knowledge of hydrology and hydrogeology. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Professional certification as a Florida Professional Engineer-in-Training or Florida Professional Geologist-in-Training is highly desirable.

Groundwater Modeler 2: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in civil or environmental engineering, geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, or related sciences with 2 or more years of experience that demonstrate measurable career progression with emphasis on a diversity of water resources modeling experience and advanced knowledge of hydrology and hydrogeology. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Professional certification as a Florida Professional Engineer-in-Training or Florida Professional Geologist-in-Training is highly desirable.

License(s): 
Valid State of Florida Driver's License.

Physical Requirements/Working Environment:
Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times, be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role. Composition of office and field work (percentage dependant upon position requirements), with regular exposure to a hot and humid environment in remote and heavy vegetative areas.

Veterans' Preference
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  All documentation is due by the close of the job posting.

Americans with Disabilities Act:
The South Florida Water Management District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Bureau at HR_Solutions@sfwmd.gov
 

• Salary Minimum: $68,952.00
• Salary Midpoint:: $98,737.60
• Organization: FC3203233 GROUNDWATER MODELING UNIT
• Salary Maximum: $128,502.40
• Job Title: SR GROUNDWATER MODELER