Only candidates who apply via email to (HR “at” TWDB.texas.gov) with an official State of Texas Application or through the WorkInTexas.com website will be considered for this position. View this position and apply at https://tinyurl.com/27yeawhy
Texas Water Development Board’s Mission – Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas and its citizens.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) endorses telecommuting and hybrid workplace plans, in addition to other flexible work alternatives. We offer competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work hours so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about these benefits and more visit: http://www.twdb.texas.gov/jobs/benefits.asp.
The Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities.
*Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
Job Description Summary
The TWDB Groundwater Modeling Department develops and maintains groundwater availability models for the major and minor aquifers of Texas and conducts model runs to support groundwater conservation districts, groundwater management areas, regional water planning groups, and the Texas Legislature. A groundwater modeler at the TWDB performs complex (journey-level) to highly complex (senior-level) geoscience or hydrological work to support these
efforts.
Work involves the compilation and documentation of source information, adherence to set processes and standards,
and the use and manipulation of various programming scripts. Development and calibration of numerical groundwater
flow models, analysis and interpretation of groundwater modeling results, and water budgets. The position will require
the use of GIS software to prepare maps, geodatabases, process data and/or review input/output from models, write reports, provide presentations, review, analyze, coordinate, and oversee the collection and analysis of data and samples
for technical reports and projects. Prepares, reviews, or evaluates model designs, results, analysis, and reports.
Ensures compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. May train or supervise others. Works under general to
limited supervision, with limited to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to
the Manager of the Groundwater Modeling Department.
Essential Job Functions
• Collects and reviews technical data, analyzes findings, assists with data calculations, and the development of
recommendations for programs or projects.
• Conducts scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is
available for use in water resource management decisions. This includes, statutorily required model
simulations, development of groundwater models, water budget analysis, model-related data evaluations, and
documentation of related activities.
• Studies and documents quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of groundwater and surface water
in support of groundwater modeling.
• Maintains and prepares records, reports, presents technical evaluations and plans.
• Implements technical projects and completes design preparation, plans, estimates, and calculations.
• May develop or use hydrogeologic models for various applications.
• Reviews the activities of contractors funded through the Groundwater Modeling Program.
• Researches and delivers written and verbal responses to public, inter, and intra-agency inquiries. May deliver
presentations at public meetings summarizing modeling studies and simulations.
• Adheres to and develops quality assurance procedures.
• May train or mentor others.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely
disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of
the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Water
Resources, Geology, Hydrogeology, Natural Resources, Geography, or related field.
• Geoscientist II/Geologic Specialist II/Hydrologist II: Three years of work experience in related field.
• Geoscientist III/Hydrologist III: Five years of work experience in related field.
• Geoscientist II-III: Licensed as a Professional Geoscientist in Texas.
• Geologic Specialist II: Licensed as a Geoscientist-in-Training.
• Experience in groundwater modeling and programming.
• Relevant experience and education may be substituted for a year-to-year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in groundwater modeling using MODFLOW and/or FloPy.
• Familiar with the Groundwater Modeling Program.
• Experience in developing and interpreting numerical groundwater flow models, including analyzing water
budgets. Setting up predictive simulations to interpret changes in water levels or discharge to surface water,
extracting data for estimates of groundwater volumes, and using PEST for model calibration or optimization.
• Experience with developing, using, or manipulating programs/scripts for model data extraction, adjustments to
model files, and/or to process and manipulate ASCII data files for scientific applications. Examples may
include Fortran, PERL, Python, or SQL.
• Experience with GIS applications, prefer experience using ESRI ArcGIS 10 (or later) software product suite
with knowledge of the spatial analyst extension and exposure to geodatabase use and design.
• Experience or familiarity with ArcPy or use of Python scripting within the ArcGIS geoprocessing environment
to perform geospatial data analysis, data conversion, data management, and automated map and table reports.
• Experience or familiarity with geostatistical methods.
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Access.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the Groundwater Modeling
Department, and of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of basic hydrological and geological concepts, techniques, and analysis.
• Knowledge of numerical groundwater flow modeling.
• Knowledge in developing and/or using commercial pre- and post-processors for numerical groundwater flow
models.
• Knowledge of programming including the ability/aptitude to acquire, manipulate, and develop water resources
data in multiple formats and/or from various sources.
• Knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) and aptitude to visualize three-dimensionally.
• Knowledge of the principles of groundwater flow including various components of the water budget.
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Access.
• Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
• Skills in using programs such as Outlook, Sharepoint, OneDrive. Conducting virtual meetings using Teams,
GoToMeeting, or GoToWebinar.
• Skills in designing and implementing regional and local spatial analysis for groundwater studies.
• Skill in writing, editing, and reviewing technical scientific reports.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by
prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work
environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on-time with little or no
supervision.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance, and clear and concise communication to internal
and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to stand/sit/move with no physical limitations or aids to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files
in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving
record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work days that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to train others.
