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23-04 Water Resources Specialist or Water Resources Engineer (Engineering Specialist II-VI or Engineer I)

Texas Water Development Board
Email
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/2qjevxz2.
 
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

*Licensed Engineering candidates external to TWDB will be eligible to receive a $5,000 recruitment bonus if selected.

Job Description Summary

Performs moderately (journey-level) to highly advanced (senior-level) modeling and/or engineering work within the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) Flood Modeling Department. Work involves conducting and overseeing the execution of technical projects as part of a successful flood modeling program and coordinating flood mapping tasks with existing agency efforts to support regional and state flood planning, flood mitigation grants administration and flood communication/outreach. Serves as an advisor on engineering/science-related matters and may oversee applicable work conducted by staff and by contractors. Ensures floodplain model compliance with agency-approved technical standards and procedures and accuracy of models and associated data. Work involves establishing goals and objectives; developing guidelines, procedures, policies, rules, and regulations; and developing schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals. Serves as a liaison and gives presentations concerning floodplain modeling, mapping, and management and other flood related topics in the state. May plan, assign, and oversee the work of others. May train others. Works under general to minimal supervision, with limited to extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager of the Flood Modeling Department.

Essential Job Functions

  • Provides technical support to the statewide floodplain modeling program designed to inform stakeholders of flood risk and to support regional and state flood planning, flood grant administration and outreach, including the development of relevant technical standards and procedures. 
  • Manages certain project activities within the department, to include coordinating external activities and training, leading, and assigning the work of the team.
  • Develops and applies floodplain models according to agency-approved technical standards and procedures.
  • Supports efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program.
  • Coordinates with federal, state, and local entities to collect NFIP and RiskMAP engineering data in support of floodplain mapping needs. 
  • Develops, reviews, and implements policies and procedures and the results of special investigations, audits, and research studies to improve program operations.
  • Writes, reviews, and evaluates scopes of work, memos, reports, work process, and policy documents. 
  • Serves as a liaison for the TWDB at meetings with federal, state, and local entities or the public throughout Texas to support floodplain modeling and mapping.
  • Provides presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Manages contracts related to floodplain modeling and mapping and assists in training and overseeing staff contract managers. 
  • Ensures the provision of quality customer service from the department to both internal and external stakeholders.
  • 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 major coursework in Engineering, Physical/ Natural/Environmental sciences with emphasis in Hydrologic/Hydraulic/Hydrodynamic Modeling, Surface Water Resources, or a related field.
  • Experience developing, applying, or running hydrologic/hydraulic models using HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, or similar models.
  • Engineer I - licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the State of Texas or licensed in another U.S. state and able to obtain a Texas PE license within six months of hire. 
  • Relevant education and experience can be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Engineering Specialist II-VI - Certification as an Engineer in Training (EIT).
  • One or more years of relevant work experience conducting or leading studies of surface water resources, floodplain management or modeling, or a related field.
  • Certification as a Certified Floodplain Manager.
  • Experience with a wide range of hydrologic methods and models for a variety of watershed sizes.
  • Experience developing unsteady, two-dimensional, or other complex hydraulic models. 
  • Experience in developing automation techniques for hydraulic models.
  • Experience with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood hazard mapping and Base Level Engineering techniques.
  • Experience developing flood modeling policies and guidelines for communities or regional/state/federal agencies.
  • Experience with developing flood mitigation planning, modeling, and design solutions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

  • Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to flood modeling and floodplain management; and of the principles and practices of public administration.
  • Knowledge of relevant hydrologic/hydraulic/hydrodynamic techniques and models, including standard models and methods used to develop FEMA Base Level Engineering. 
  • Knowledge of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), FEMA flood hazard mapping, Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), Flood Hazard Boundary Maps, CLOMR/LOMR submittals, and floodplain management.
  • 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 developing, applying, or running hydrologic/hydraulic models (e.g., HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, SWMM, InfoWorks, AdH, GSSHA, etc.) or other computational/numerical models.
  • Skill with GIS applications; skill using ESRI ArcGIS 10 (or later) software product suite with knowledge of Spatial and 3D Analyst extensions and exposure to geodatabase use and design.
  • Skills in reading and interpreting engineering documents, surveys, topographic information, and aerial photography.
  • Skills in manipulation of data sets for hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, including topographic (e.g. LiDAR, DEM), soils, landcover, and other data sets. Skill in working with very large data sets.
  • Skills in scientific data management, analysis, and interpretation, particularly of hydrologic data.
  • Skills in using numerical/visualization tools, e.g., Matlab, Surfer, Octave, Scipy/Numpy, Matplotlib, Tecplot, Gnuplot, HEC-DSS, etc.
  • Skills in using programming language such as Fortran, C, etc. and/or scripting languages such as Perl, Python, bash, etc.
  • Skills in writing technical memos, reports, work process, and policy documents. 
  • Skills in project management and grant/contract administration, including developing scopes-of-work. 
  • Skills in communicating with elected, local, state, and federal officials, stakeholders, and the media.
  • 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 15% 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.