Careers

Section Leader - Hydro Data Management, Quality Assurance, and Hydrology
South Florida Water Management District
West Palm Beach, FL

SFWMD is looking for a highly motivated individual that can lead the Hydro Data Management Quality Assurance and Hydrology team, responsible among other things, for ensuring the quality of the data in the DBHydro database. The group consists of water resources professionals (e.g., engineers, environmental scientists, and hydrogeologists) responsible for performing quality assurance and quality control reviews of various types of water resources data (e.g., hydrologic, hydraulic, weather, and groundwater). This group ensures that SFWMD water resources data collected primarily through data loggers and telemetry systems are of the highest quality   and are reliable for use by engineers, scientists, regulatory professionals, and others for water control operational decisions, permit compliance, scientific research, environmental science, and other needs. This group also regularly interfaces with other District staff (e.g., hydrologic technicians and SCADA systems personnel) to assist with troubleshooting data collection systems issues discovered through the data quality review process.

The selected candidate should have good understanding of hydraulic flow equations for calculating discharge through pumps, weirs, culverts, spillways, and open channels. Knowledge of weather data such as rainfall calculations, evaporation, evapo-transpiration, and solar radiation is a plus. The candidate should have some experience in understanding scientific and environmental data sets to be able to look for issues with the data and know how to correct discrepancies between various data sets. There are times that the individual may be required to perform or direct the performance of various statistical or water budget models using Excel spreadsheets, Python scripts, or other similar scientific tools and applications to assist with the identification of data errors and anomalies. The selected candidate would work with the SFWMD’s Information Technology (IT) staff to help develop additional tools that can be used to improve data review processes and make it more efficient. A knowledge of the SFWMD or similar water management systems is a plus. 

The Section Lead would be expected to participate in various leadership discussions with other District teams to advance a variety of District initiatives to achieve long term goals for flood control, Everglades Restoration, water supply and capital improvement projects. The position would be involved in Budget preparation and oversee financial expenditures for the QA/QC Unit, with the understanding of how funds are obtained and reallocated as needed. The ability to negotiate fees with vendors and consultants is a plus. The position would also be the main point of contact for resolving issues relative to flow and hydrometeorological data in the SFWMD’s online data resource, DBHydro, as well as responding to a variety of Public Record requests for data. The selected candidate would need to be able to fill in for the Section Administrator with management of the Hydro Data Management Section during select times. Experience with various Team Building activities and ability to work with staff from a variety of cultures and educational backgrounds is encouraged. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required. 

Employment Guidelines:
Bachelor of Science Degree in a related discipline and ten (10+) years qualifying experience that demonstrates measurable career progression in a water resources discipline such as hydrology, water science, or engineering, including at least four (4) years of increased supervisory accountability. Disciplines for engineering education and experience requirements include Civil, Agricultural, Environmental, or related engineering fields with emphasis in water resources, or hydraulic systems. The candidate must be extremely organized and can work under tight deadlines.

Licenses:
State of Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred for engineering disciplines.  A minimum of a Masters level degree for other water resources disciplines is preferred.

Valid State of Florida Driver’s License required.

Physical Requirements/ Working Environment:
Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times, be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role. Emergency response role will include assistance to the Rapid Response Streamgauging Team (RRST) during field measurements and yearly training exercises.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25162&siteid=5198#jobDetails=1449712_5198

Veterans' Preference:
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  All documentation is due by the close of the job posting.

About SFWMD:
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is a regional agency of the State of Florida responsible for water resources of a large region from Orlando in central Florida, down to the Keys.  The agency performs cutting edge scientific and engineering work all of which relies on an extensive database of hydrologic, water quality, wetland vegetation, wildlife and endangered species populations, meteorologic and other environmental data served in outward facing databases such as DBHydro and environmental reports, namely the South Florida Environmental Report (SFER). 

Equal Opportunity Employer.