Hydrologist III

Job Title: Hydrologist III

Job Summary:
While having a primary focus on hydrology and the technical mastery of its utilization to support a irrigation project, this position conveys responsibilities for all aspects of the irrigation program including, but not limited to, troubleshooting irrigation project delivery issues, design and implementation of new or maintenance of existing irrigation infrastructure.  In addition, assist and advise the federal regional staff on policy advisement, safety, design, development, and maintenance of all things irrigation and hydrology related.  The individual who takes this role will be excellent at public speaking as well as developing complex, multi-disciplinary documents that require nuanced and specialized analytical and potentially modeling-based information. This role will be excellent at interfacing with the BIA’s field staff as well as stakeholders including tribal clientele. 

This opportunity is located onsite in St. Ignatius, MT or Polson, MT. 

Duties/Responsibilities:
•    A mastery of, and skill in applying expertise in advanced professional knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and techniques of engineering management, hydrology, or natural resources management as applied to water rights/resources problems and issues including economics, water resources and environmental analysis to provide for efficient multi-objective resource allocation.
•    In reviewing field input for compliance, and recommending policy formation and implementation, the incumbent is required to effectively evaluate and monitor the work performed by other engineers and program personnel. The incumbent must determine the relationship of work performed versus the cost, considering the goals of the organization, making certain of compliance with regulations and laws found in the CFR, U.S. Code, OMB, GAO, and other appropriate sources.
•    Ability to evaluate and incorporate the latest developments in the field of water resource planning into technical guidelines for Bureau and tribal water resources programs.  The incumbent is required to provide authoritative advice and alternatives for decision making within established Bureau, Departmental, and Federal policies, guidelines, instructions, and Executive Orders.
•    Assists and advises the Project Administrator and or the Northwest Regional Director, in the development, implementation, and oversight of guidelines for water rights/resource issues.
•    Assists and advises the Project Administrator and or the Northwest Regional Director in all matters that pertain to various technical support projects for the Division, and develops recommended policies, instructions, and guidelines for the Bureau’s Program.
•    Meets, cooperates and consults with personnel in the other bureaus/services in the Department, Federal and non-federal agencies regarding Water and Power Program issues of common interest and makes specific recommendations to achieve proper goals.
•    Reviews field input regarding Water and Program water rights/resources to ensure compliance with Bureau, Departmental, and Federal policies and guidelines, and makes recommendations to the Project Administrator and or the Northwest Regional Director for the formulation and implementation of such policies.
•    Initiates in-depth analysis of the Irrigation Program to identify weaknesses, determine needed changes, and provide planning direction. Reports results to the Project Administrator and or the Northwest Regional Director for inclusion in developing and implementing activities to accomplish program objectives.
•    Make oral presentations to governmental conferences, Tribal groups, and other organizations as required and directed by the Project Administrator and or the Northwest Regional Director related to the Irrigation Program. 
•    Must comply with OMB circular A-123, Internal Control Systems, and other directives which ensure control of waste, fraud, and abuse. Participates in OTS Interdisciplinary Evaluations of area offices as described in the BIAM Supplement.
•    Make trips to field to provide technical guidance and assistance to Regional and Field personnel.
•    Collects, organizes, analyzes, pertinent data, generates models and provides appropriate output to fit the necessary audience, both technical and non-technical.
•    Ability to work long hours in the field from time to time.
•    Field trips may involve working in a high-risk out-of-doors environment or exposure to situations requiring protective clothing, safety helmet, safety shoes, noise suppressor, etc.
•    Outdoor activities may include hiking for long distances in inclimate weather, climbing structures such as dam faces or facilities internal to power infrastructure, dams and irrigation structures.
•    Must be considerate of and adhere to all policies, regulations, and sensitivities of the Government and Tribal clientele. 
•    Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities: 
•    A thorough knowledge of the basic laws, Federal regulations, Bureau and Departmental manuals, handbooks, and technical publications related to water rights/resources highly desired.
•    A working knowledge of the organizations, functions, interrelationships, and objectives of sister agencies within the Department and other Federal agencies for the development of memoranda of understanding, agreements, exchange of technical knowledge and the promotion of a cooperative working environment and relationships highly desired.
•    Must be able to demonstrate skills in conceiving, planning and problem solving in areas of considerable scope and complexity requiring unconventional or novel approaches and sophisticated techniques.
•    Must demonstrate excellent communication and writing skills.
•    Must demonstrate ability to work independently but also within a team environment.

Education and Experience:
•    Bachelor of Science in Hydrology, Water Science, or similar environmental discipline, Civil, Agricultural Engineering or similar from an ABET Accredited Institution or higher level degree in a science or management field.
•    At least 10 years of experience performing technical analyses and representation of those analyses in hydrology, water science, engineering, or related discipline.
•    A working knowledge of the organizations, functions, interrelationships, and objectives of sister agencies within the Department and other Federal agencies for the development of memoranda of understanding, agreements, exchange of technical knowledge and the promotion of a cooperative working environment and relationships highly desired

Working Conditions:
The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: 
•    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; bending or crouching; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
•    Some lifting of files, opening cabinets. 
•    Bending or standing as necessary.
•    Must be able to be on your feet in an outdoor setting 8-10 hours a day in adverse weather conditions and uneven or difficult terrain in a remote environment.

Work Environment: 
This position will be mostly stationary requiring some movement around the office and frequent communication with others. The average working hours will be 8 hours per day for this position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. It is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, but duties may be added, deleted, or modified, as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. 

Review the Benefits associated with this position: https://www.sealaska.com/benefits/

What To Know

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Who is Sealaska? Established in 1972, Sealaska is the Alaska Native regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. Our 23,000 shareholders are Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people with more than 10,000 years of ancestral ties to the oceans, forests and communities of Southeast Alaska. We serve the twin goals of economic prosperity and environmental protection. 

We are committed to providing the best possible climate for maximum development and goal achievement for all our employees.  As a Native-owned company, Sealaska Corporation is proud to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace, with respect for the cultural traditions in the communities where we operate.

Sealaska Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. However, preference may be extended to an enrolled member of a federally-recognized Indian Tribe.*

*“Indian Tribe” means an Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 668; 43 U.S.C. 1601) which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.