Hydrological Tech

At Saltwater Inc. we believe that high-quality data is vital to the health of our fisheries and oceans: our mission is to provide that data. We are a Women-Owned Small Business and are constantly seeking new team members who share our passion for innovation and environmental wellness. We are currently recruiting for Hydrological Technical Support. This individual will work with the Engineering & Physical Sciences Branch (EPSB) to provide hydrological technical support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of promoting the protection, conservation, and recovery of anadromous fish, marine fish, invertebrates and their habitat. The primary objective is to provide expert support in technical areas summarized below for the implementation of the statutes and mandates listed under the Authority of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

This work will be conducted off-site / remotely. The period of performance is one base year plus four option years, for a total potential of five years beginning May 1, 2025.

Tasks:

• The contractor shall apply engineering principles to conduct hydrological analyses that include: o
  • Reviewing and providing comments on hydrologic analyses done by others
  • Analyze and determine monthly average stream flow versus natural variability
  • Determination of the percent of unimpaired flow
  • Perform instream flow assessments
  • Assess current, historical, and proposed conditions by analyzing hydrology data, hydrologic models, habitat suitability or productivity models.
  • Use appropriate data collection, hydrologic analysis, computer modeling techniques, and flow management plans to develop technical memoranda identifying project effects on salmonid life-cycle functions and population viability. Participate in stakeholder meetings to present findings.

• The contractor shall perform Hydrological Modeling and be familiar with up-to-date modeling techniques and tools including but not limited to:
  • Analyze weather and hydrological data for use in machine learning forecasting models
  • Provide hydrologic modeling and analysis that informs NOAA-Fisheries staff of watershed conditions, water supply and impacts of various human activity (gravel mining, fish passage, road crossing, channel restoration) to be used to evaluate proposed project impacts on ESA listed species and critical habitat. Use tools such as R language libraries or other statistical software packages as appropriate.
  • Review and provide comments on others’ modeling reports and documentation (i.e. USGS GSFLOW model, MIKE SHE model, CalSim 3, PRMS, CE-QUAL-W2, etc.)
  • Use, maintain, develop, and review state-of-the-art Machine Learning tools in areas such as but not limited to:
    • Analyzing historical data usage in a water distribution system
    • For hydrological processes and forecasting
    • Forecasting models
    • Water temperature machine learning models
    • Predictive streamflow machine learning models
    • Turbidity machine learning model.
    • Machine learning modeling scenarios to evaluate changes to instream flow requirements for rivers in the WCR
  • Water Management Issues:
    • Recognize strategies to address water operations, dam discharges and drought plans
    • Use of Machine Learning to analyze historical, current and future data usage in a water distribution system (ie. reservoirs and water diversions)
    • Review documents regarding river systems basin hydrology and any associated water operations.
  • Create GIS maps for NMFS hydrologic modeling projects
  • Present findings in project memorandum and peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations.
  • For field work or meeting participation, work with respective Branch personnel to plan and carry out activities in a timely manner.

• Be a part of any current or future technical water policy cross divisional team

Geographic focus of hydrology services can include watersheds within the West Coast Region (CA, WA, OR, ID). Act as a subject matter expert, engaging in activities to inform, educate and assist others in areas related to watershed hydrology and its influence on ecosystem functions and habitat conditions for anadromous fish. Make consistent efforts to stay abreast of developments within the field of hydrology as it relates to fisheries ecology and fisheries management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with a major directly related in a field of study as related to the requirements of specific task order with emphasis in fisheries, oceanography, social science, natural science, mathematics, or hydrology, plus two (2) years of experience in a related field or combination of such totaling six (6) years combined Education/experience.
• Knowledge of anadromous fish life history, biology, and habitat requirements, or riverine processes.
• Efficiency in using word-processing programs to develop written documents.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and database software and willingness to learn new software.
• Proficiency with reviewing and developing machine learning algorithms and models.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working successfully with interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience with NEPA and Section 7 of the ESA
• Have an understanding of a riffle crest analysis
• Understand monthly average 7DADM vs. maximum 7DADM stream flows and temperatures
• Be familiar with and review standard WCR state groundwater initiatives (i.e. California Sustainable GroundWater Management Act)
• Having a sound understanding of total dissolved gas, temperature, and turbidity analyses, how they are performed and what goes into them.
• Understand how La Nina or La Nino will affect hydrological patterns across the region.

Salary range is TBD based on experience.

Saltwater Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace culture to attract the best talent and allow each member of our team to achieve their full potential and maximum productivity. Furthermore, Saltwater Inc. highly encourages qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply for positions for which they are qualified and to notify us if there are any needs for accommodation throughout the application process and/or upon hire.

We will honor all requests for application confidentiality.

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/a21VEyfbpqrBPTdg6u2AYL

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