Overview
RTI International’s Center for Water Resources (CWR) has multiple openings for an entry-level or junior environmental engineer or scientist to support a variety of watershed-based assessments and research. CWR‘s projects involve river and reservoir operations forecasting, water supply modeling, and hydrologic risk evaluation. As part of our team, your contributions will cover all aspects of water resources systems including data collection and analysis, modeling, optimization, system integration, and stakeholder communication and training.
These positions will be based in RTP, North Carolina or Fort Collins, CO but telecommuting is an option. Please apply if you have expertise related to these requirements (experience related to all is not necessary). If you are adept at manipulating data and can demonstrate an aptitude for hydrologic modeling – inputs, model states, calibration, analysis of results – then you can be a valuable contributor to CWR’s mission of improving the human condition by protecting water resources around the world. We implement the best and most appropriate solutions for our clients, so our staff are well versed in multiple models and modeling systems. The end result of many of CWR’s projects include a water resources modeling system that our clients use regularly to make water management decisions.
Responsibilities
This position will involve:
· Collecting and analyzing hydrologic data
· Performing spatial analysis and mapping of hydrometeorological data
· Calibrating, executing, and interpreting results from hydrologic and hydraulic models
· Assessing the vulnerability of water supplies to future conditions such as climate change, land development, or population growth
· Applying water systems operation models and modeling systems
CWR will provide training on the specific models and technology we use to motivated colleagues with the appropriate background, education, and aptitude. Our team includes a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and capabilities, but a common thread is our interest to continue learning and push the boundaries of what can be done to support our field. As a non-profit research institute, RTI also offers opportunities for internally funded research and development to help bring great ideas together for on-the-ground applications to help make a difference in the world.
Desired general experiences or exposures through completed classwork include hydrologic, hydraulic, watershed and/or water quality model set up, calibration, and assessment/interpretation; spatial, time series, and generalized data collection, organization, quality assurance, and interpretation; and project documentation and report writing.
Qualifications
The candidate must have the following talents:
· A positive and collaborative mindset while working independently on multiple projects in a team environment with diverse staff of project managers, hydrologists, engineers, scientists, economists, and IT developers
· Attention to detail as the candidate will be responsible for preparing, using, and conducting quality control on large and diverse datasets
· The ability to listen and communicate well both verbally and in writing and the ability to understand and follow written guidelines, policies, and procedures as provided by project managers
· A willingness to learn new software and apply as a project requires, including self-led tutorials and exploration
· The ability and desire to adapt applicable methods and principles from past experiences to current RTI project needs.
The candidate should be able to demonstrate and explain skills or exposures through classwork/internships across a selection of the following potential work areas (experience in all areas is not required):
· Hydrologic modeling using multiple applications such as HEC-HMS, SAC-SMA, or VIC
· Hydraulic modeling using applications such as HEC-RAS
· Operational or planning system configuration using applications such as Delft-FEWS or HEC-CWMS/HEC-WAT
· Water resources systems modeling, including operations and water rights, such as MODSIM, RiverWare or WEAP
· Watershed modeling using applications such as HSPF, SWAT, GWLF, or PRMS
· Water quality modeling using applications such as CE-QUAL-W2, QUAL2K/2E, BATHTUB, or statistical methods
· Use of open-source programming language (i.e., R, Python, C# or VB(.NET)) to perform data management, transformation, quality control, and/or statistical analyses (e.g., regression models)
· Use of ArcGIS or QGIS to perform at least basic geospatial processing, analysis, and map preparation
· Ability to perform basic statistical analysis and assessments (e.g., regression modeling; interpretation of model performance metrics; identification, understanding, and calculation of streamflow metrics)
· Coursework in statistics and/or environmental modeling
· Use of relational databases (e.g., SQLite, SQL Server)
· Development of or conducting trainings on modeling applications and outcomes
Required qualifications include:
· Master’s Degree or a bachelor’s degree and 1 year of experience in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field with emphasis in Water Resources
· Verbal and written technical language fluency in Spanish is a plus
· Domestic and international travel flexibility is a plus
To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.
“Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.”
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EEO & Pay Equity Statements
As a global employer of choice, RTI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace and the communities and markets where we serve our mission. We value diversity of thought, culture, background and perspective and welcome applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, creed, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws or RTI policy.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is available here.
RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach and one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.
For USA Job Postings Only: RTI participates in the US Government E-Verify program. Further information regarding the E-Verify program and laws that are designed to protect you against discrimination relating to your legal right to work in the US can be found here.
For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.
The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States.
RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.
At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.
Hiring Salary Range
$68,000 – $83,000
