Hydrologist II
- Las Vegas Valley Water District
- Molasky Corporate Center
- 7mo ago
- Full-Time
- On-site
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Hydrologist IIOpen Date: 10/02/25Close Date: 10/23/25Salary: $121,046.00 per yearJob Type: RegularLocation: Molasky Corporate Center, 100 City Parkway, Las VegasFor any questions regarding this announcement, please contact LVVWD Recruitment at recruitment@lvvwd.com.2 VACANCIESGENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, collects and interprets data and performs complex hydrologic analyses of surface and groundwater systems throughout Nevada and the Colorado River basin states; designs and implements hydrological research programs to support water resource planning and decision-making, including development of strategies for water conservation, reuse and recovery; designs, implements, optimizes and administers systems to monitor hydrologic conditions and well production; prepares highly technical regulatory and other reports; and performs related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Hydrologist II is the journey-level class in the professional Hydrologist class series. Incumbents perform complex hydrologic data collection, analysis and monitoring assignments to support District/Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) water resource planning and decision-making applicable to the Las Vegas Valley, small systems, Lower White River System, Northern Resources Area and the Colorado River Basin as well as to the organization’s water supply augmentation strategies. Work requires strong communication and collaboration skills in the completion of project and program responsibilities to ensure customer needs are met.
Hydrologist II is distinguished from Hydrologist I in that incumbents in the former class have full responsibility for the design, development, administration, optimization and evaluation of assigned hydrologic research programs and projects which require a detailed understanding of complex hydrologic systems.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.
Conducts complex hydrologic analyses to assess hydrologic conditions and factors influencing groundwater elevations and flows and the effects of other situations; identifies available water resources and analyzes potential environmental and water rights impacts associated with the development of resources; reviews technical reports, court rulings and relevant orders to inform analyses and ensure the defensibility of decision-making processes; analyzes and evaluates water resource alternatives and recommends other water resource development strategies and projects; participates in building databases and conducting analyses and modeling data to support development of new water rights and the management of District/SNWA water resource programs.
Participates in development and refinement of groundwater and surface water models, including the review, validation and enhancement of model data and maintenance of databases; performs a variety of complex analyses including sensitivity and uncertainty analyses; participates in and provides support for development and refinement of the groundwater flow model for the Las Vegas Valley.
Designs and implements scientific research programs to inform strategic planning and decision-making processes and for use in evaluation of water conservation, reuse and recovery strategies; researches methods to scale field data accurately for broader application; evaluates research needs and assists in their development and implementation; prepares technical scientific reports on complex hydrologic, water resource management and environmental topics and makes presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
Works with other departments and divisions and external entities on development of water supply augmentation strategies including the Muddy and Virgin Rivers Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS) program; leads and oversees the purchase and management of Warm Springs Natural Resource Area water rights and water leases with farmers; represents SNWA at meetings of irrigation companies and tracks payments associated with water rights and related agreements; drafts ICS reports for distribution to the State Division of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for review and approval; coordinates and represents the organization in other water supply augmentation projects.
Designs, develops, oversees, administers and ensures maintenance of multiple types of surface water, groundwater, precipitation and meteorological monitoring networks in the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas Wash, small systems areas, Northern Resources area and other locations; troubleshoots and ensures the prompt resolution of any site, network, telemetry, equipment or instrumentation issues; reviews, validates, analyzes and processes monitoring data using specialized software; maintains databases; assembles and drafts regulatory and other annual and periodic reports in accordance with established procedures and requirements; may coordinate the construction and decommissioning of monitoring sites including the removal of equipment and site remediation.
Leads permit compliance monitoring for the LVVWD Aquifer Storage and Recovery program; coordinates field data collection, data quality assurance and database maintenance following prescribed procedures for principal aquifer, domestic network, shallow network and small system wells; performs complex hydrologic analyses with an understanding of the District’s hydrologic model; prepares annual production and well operations cost reports; finalizes data and prepares well production data for reports to the State engineer and Colorado River Commission; leads compliance monitoring for the Ivanpah Valley.
Coordinates the water quality sampling program for the LVVWD Aquifer Storage and Recovery program, principal aquifer and small systems; ensures that EPA sampling and preservation protocols are met; evaluates and maintains water quality sampling databases for analysis.
Provides technical leadership for District water accounting; reviews well run-time and flow data to identify and correct discrepancies; finalizes water quality data and prepares technical reports for submission to the Nevada State Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP).
Leads preparation of technical reports on well production and operations and reviews potential efficiencies and cost savings with District Operations staff; responds to information requests from other departments and divisions and participates to informational meetings.
OTHER DUTIES
Performs or assists in performing special hydrogeological studies; interprets borehole geophysics in connection with selecting new well sites; performs well hydraulic and capture zone analyses and groundwater modeling to determine well siting and wellhead protection areas.
May perform project management and contract management for new exploration and production well drilling; ensures environmental permitting requirements have been met and may perform construction oversight and monitoring.
Performs special projects as requested.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Theories, principles and practices of hydrology and geology at a professional journey-level, as applied to water resources and availability in the Colorado River Basin and Southern Nevada; scientific methods and techniques used in the study and analysis of ground water, surface water and aquifer characteristics; hydrologic analysis and modeling software and tools applicable to responsibilities; current developments, literature and sources of information regarding hydrology and water resources, including conservation, reuse and augmentation; Nevada’s Safe Drinking Water Act and other federal, state and local laws and regulations related to groundwater and surface water and the environment; principles, techniques and practices used in design, construction and maintenance of wells, monitoring systems and related facilities; federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to well design, drilling and construction, including OSHA regulations; EPA sampling and preservation protocols; District/SNWA Standard Operating Procedures applicable to the work; principles, practices, tools and techniques of project management as they apply in assigned areas of responsibility; principles and practices of sound business communication; basic customer relationship management principles and practices.
Ability to:
Plan, organize and participate in a wide variety of complex hydrologic and water resource projects and research studies; perform complex hydrologic analyses using scientific methods, databases and numerical modeling software; conduct assigned research studies with a high degree of scientific accuracy; identify needs and priorities, organize work and exercise independent judgement and initiative in carrying them out; troubleshoot and resolve monitoring network problems and issues efficiently; present technical scientific data, reports and presentations clearly and concisely and in a manner appropriate to a variety of audiences; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; review and develop data quality assurance/quality control measures for optimal performance; work collaboratively with other members of the Water Resources team, other departments and inter-agency groups; establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, representatives of other agencies, contractors, consultants and others encountered in the course of work.
Training and Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in geology, hydrology, civil engineering or a closely related field; and five years of progressively responsible professional hydrologic experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
An advanced degree may be substituted for a portion of the required experience.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
A valid Nevada driver's license and ability to maintain insurability under the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; and use hands repetitively to operate, finger, handle or feel computers and other standard office and field equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communications skills; read and interpret complex data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; observe and interpret complex data or information; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks under changing, intensive deadlines; and interact with managers, staff, representatives of other agencies, contractors, consultants and others encountered in the course of work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee often works under typical office conditions where the noise level is quiet. The incumbent is frequently required to work in outside conditions, sometimes in remote locations, exposed to hot, cold and/or wet conditions, work on slippery and uneven surfaces, risk of electrical shock and near moving mechanical equipment.