HYDROLOGIST (#GB2 )

$52.50-$66.42 hourly / $9,100.00-$11,513.00 monthly / $109,200.00-$138,153.60 yearly

Under direction, the incumbent is responsible for review, analysis, and reporting on issues related to water policy including groundwater and surface water quality and quantity, water supply analysis, flooding, including the operation and monitoring of the County's ALERT flood warning system; and perform other duties as required.

This single position class is distinguished from the Resource Planner series in that this class provides hydrological expertise for the County while the Resource Planner series is responsible for a variety of environmental and resource planning studies.

Analyze complex hydrological, geohydrological, water resource and water quality data; implement Board of Supervisor's policy; may staff various commissions and committees including preparation of agendas, minutes, staff reports and chairing meetings; make presentations to boards, commissions, committees and community groups; operation of the County's ALERT flood warning system including the purchase and installation of precipitation and stream gauging equipment, providing forecasts of flood levels, providing technical expertise to the Emergency Operations Center, and coordinating information with other jurisdictions and agencies; prepare and review technical reports and other water related materials to coordinate groundwater and water supply planning and water resource management with major water purveyors; technical plan review for the Environmental Review Committee or other County agencies and departments on projects affecting surface and groundwater; provide water use analysis and evaluation of impacts to water quantity, water quality and/or natural groundwater systems from mining operations, seawater intrusion and other water related activities; respond to requests for water related public information from consultants, other County staff or interested persons; conduct field investigations or special studies to collect water resource data; research complex surface and groundwater resource issues or to evaluate natural recharge systems as they relate to the interaction between surface water and groundwater systems.

Knowledge of:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and applications of hydrology, water supply, drainage, flood control, surface water, ground water, and other related aspects of hydrology.
• Principles, methods and procedures related to the operation of hydrologic equipment used in measuring rainfall, water level, stream flow velocity and other related data.
• Water resource management and planning.
• Advanced principles, methods and practices of ground water hydrology, including aquifer characteristics and geology, and the interaction between surface and subsurface flows.

Working knowledge of:

• General-purpose mainframe and microcomputer hardware and software, including databases, communications, spreadsheet, word processing and graphics packages.
• Methods and techniques involved in gathering and analyzing data related to surface and groundwater supply and use, including the use, installation and maintenance of instruments to gather such information.
• Computer modeling and simulation as it pertains to practical hydrology problems including data collection and flood warning systems.
• Statistical and frequency analysis of hydrologic data.
• Methods of report preparation and presentation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, syntax and punctuation.

Some knowledge of:

• Principles of water well design and construction.

Ability to:

• Perform highly advanced professional level hydrologic/hydrogeologic and environmental work and studies.
• Collect and analyze hydrologic data.
• Utilize computer programs pertaining to hydrology.
• Solve complicated hydrology problems.
• Develop, implement and manage short-range and long-range hydrology programs.
• Prepare comprehensive hydrology reports and recommendations.
• Select hydrologic gauging sites and negotiate with property owners.
• Coordinate and supervise the installation, construction, calibration, operation and maintenance of gauging sites and microwave transmitting equipment.
• Operate and maintain a computerized hydrologic data collection and flood warning system.
• Establish stage-discharge curves for stream flow gauging sites.
• Apply hydrology data to flood control problems.
• Relate hydrology information in a meaningful manner to engineers, consultants, local decision-makers and the general public.
• Conduct meetings and serve as the County representative and technical advisor to assigned committees and commissions.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate orally before groups for the purpose of explaining complex data.
• Develop and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Utilize mainframe computer, computer terminal or microcomputer for simulation modeling and data management.
• Plan and organize major projects and studies which are technically complex, set priorities and schedules, and meet deadlines while working with a high degree of independence.
• Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.
• Read and interpret maps, charts, graphs, plans, drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams and specifications.
• Represent the County effectively in contacts with contractors, business and governmental organizations, property owners and the public on major hydrologic issues.
• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds, such as a bag of cement.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college in Hydrology, Geohydrology, Engineering or a closely related field, AND three years of journey level experience in the collection, analysis, processing and interpretation of hydrologic data. NOTE: Two years of journey level environmental/water resources planning experience may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Special Requirements, Conditions:

License/Certificate/Registration/Professional Membership Requirements: Possession of a valid California class C driver license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: variable temperatures, slippery surfaces; sunburn; dust and pollen; poison oak; bee stings; infections, such as tick borne Lyme disease or mosquito borne encephalitis; angry or hostile persons; rain and storms; wetness, such as from walking through a stream or river.

Other Special Requirements: May require working irregular hours, such as responding to emergency calls and attending commission and board meetings.

Note: This classification has a 6-month probationary period.