Work Unit Overview: Water Resources Division (WRD) is responsible for promoting and coordinating the beneficial use, conservation, protection, and development of Montana’s water resources. The Division carries out its duties to promote the general welfare, economic and social prosperity of the people of Montana. Sound coordination of the development and utilization of the state’s waters allows the WRD to protect existing uses and to promote adequate future supplies for domestic, industrial, agricultural, and recreational needs, as well as the conservation of water for wildlife, aquatic life, and other beneficial uses.
The Water Sciences Bureau (WSB) supports local and state-wide water resource management decisions by providing high quality and accurate real-time surface, groundwater, and reservoir monitoring data, conducting technical analysis of water right applications, conducting surface and groundwater hydrologic assessments, conducting water availability studies, and training court appointed water commissioners in water measurement. The WSB is organized into a Water Science Data Section and Water Science Studies Section. The work of the Sections is coordinated through the Bureau Chief. In carrying out their duties, WSB staff frequently partner with local water users, watershed groups, conservation districts, other bureaus and Divisions within DNRC, and other state and federal agencies.
Job Overview: The primary purpose of this position is to provide surface water and groundwater technical support to the Water Sciences Data Section. The secondary purpose of the position is to provide support to the WSB and the WRD to support implementation of the 2015 Montana State Water Plan. The Hydrologic Technician works closely with the Water Sciences Study Section staff to support hydrologic investigations and to support the development and implementation of the DNRC Stream Gage Program. The position reports directly to the Data Section Supervisor and is also required to exercise considerable discretion, autonomy, creativity, and professional judgement.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities): These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.
Stream Gaging Program Support: The successful candidate will assist with the development and implementation of the DNRC Stream Gaging Program.
Main duties include:
- Perform routine measurements of stage and discharge under a variety of field conditions applying established uniform methods. Field measurements include collecting discharge values while wading across deep, fast-moving rivers and streams, conducting discharge measurements from bridges utilizing cranes and Acoustic Doppler type sensors, and performing in-direct discharge measurements.
- Verifying stage height data utilizing standard field survey techniques. Duties will also include assisting with new gage installation and decommissioning retired gages.
- Complete basic stream gage programing and data verification in the field. The Hydrologic Technician will perform routine maintenance of the gage sites and the data collection platforms which include verifying outgoing satellite transmissions, downloading stage height and water temperature data, performing diagnostic checks, and completing onsite field logs.
- Compile provisional field data into the streamflow database, creating provisional hydrographs and station reports, and making provisional shift-based adjustments to discharge data. The incumbent will review gage-height data and discharge measurements to check methods and accuracy of computation. The Hydrologic Technician will assist with basic station review and analysis and will perform routine steps involved in preparing materials for publication.
Hydrologic Investigations Program Support: The incumbent will assist and support hydrologic investigations conducted by the Water Sciences Studies Section.
Duties will include the following uniform and established methods to collect routine field data that may include surface or groundwater data:
- Assist with implementing field sampling plans.
- Groundwater data collection may involve programing and downloading groundwater data loggers and measuring groundwater discharge rates from wells and springs.
- Surface water data collection may involve programing and downloading surface water loggers and performing stream discharge measurements utilizing a variety of measurement devices.
- Hydrologic investigation program support may also involve attending specialized trainings to provide support for unique projects that involve specialized skills.
Other Duties as Assigned: This position performs a variety of other duties in support of ongoing Division and Department operations.
Application and Selection Process: The DNRC may include the following factors in determining whether an applicant meets the qualifications of a position vacancy by: State of MT application form, cover letter, current resume, educational requirements, structured interview, a performance test, job-related reference checks, job-related work experience, job-related past and current performance.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR THIS POSITION ARE:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- References (3)
- Supplemental Question-(please answer the following question in a separate document and attach to the application):
- Please describe how your education and professional work experience make you a good fit for this position.
TIP: When attaching your resume and other material, you must mark the attachments as “relevant” .
If you would like further information about this position, or would like to see the full job description please contact Kellie Richetti at Krichetti@mt.gov
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
An Associate’s degree or certificate in a field related to Hydrology, Earth Science, Geology, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or Water Resources, with an emphasis in water resources or agricultural land management is required. Previous experience in hydrologic measurements, project management, hydrologic modeling, implementation of Montana Water Use Act, working with diverse stakeholder groups, and public speaking is preferred. Education and experience equivalent and comparable to that specified above may meet job requirements and would be considered on an individual basis.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Principles, theories, and methods of hydrology, hydrogeology, geology, geomorphology, integrated remote sensing, meteorology, geospatial analysis, and groundwater and/or surface water modeling.
- Working knowledge of water use and water conservation methods in Montana.
- Practical understanding of a multitude of topics, including state and federal water policies and the implications of water policy decisions.
- Hydrologic field methodologies and use of appropriate instrumentation for water measurement.
- Basic knowledge of surveying techniques used in determining surface and groundwater elevation datums.
- Basic knowledge of irrigation system design and practices common to Montana including sprinkler and flood irrigation systems.
- Spatial information development, data management, GIS software (ArcGIS), spatial data analysis and mapping principles.
- Adaptability and skills in trouble shooting and problem solving.
- Strong writing and public speaking skills necessary to effectively convey complex concepts.
- Stream gage installation, collecting stream discharge measurements, and building stage discharge rating curves.
- Use of computers for hydrologic, mathematical, GIS, mapping, and graphical analyses, and various electronic instruments for measuring water quantity.
Working Conditions: The position is based in Helena, Montana and approximately 50% of the work occurs in a normal office setting. Frequent travel and fieldwork are required between the months of April and November. Travel may exceed 1,500 miles per month and will occasionally be two (2) to three (3) days in duration. The position requires the ability to walk over rough and steep terrain to carry field equipment to data collection sites. The Technician must be able to work outdoors during bad weather. The Technician must rely on experience and judgement as to what safety precautions are prudent. The Technician must have good driving skills required for both on-road and off-road travel and during times of inclement weather. Some irregular hours, evenings, and weekends are involved.
Special Information: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver’s license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
Eligibility to Work: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a “green card”.
Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.
Training Assignment: Not Applicable
Salary: $ 24.95 – 24.95 Hourly
Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)
Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan
Number of Openings: 3
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 50 % of the Time
Primary Location: Helena
Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
Union: 000 – None
Posting Date: May 31, 2023, 6:41:42 PM
Closing Date (based on your computer’s timezone): Ongoing
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, References, Supplemental Questions (Refer to Job Posting)
Contact Name: kellie l richetti | Contact Email: krichetti@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 4064440513
The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency’s HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.
