Flood Modeling Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

The mission of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is to lead the state's efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas. Our mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision and the state's mission and goals that relate to maintaining the viability of the state's natural resources, health, and economic development.

The TWDB's main responsibilities are threefold: collecting and disseminating water-related data; assisting with regional water supply and flood planning that contributes to preparing the state water plan and state flood plan; and administering cost-effective financial programs for constructing water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.

Only applicants who apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system will be considered for this position. First time applicants will need to create an account in the CAPPS online application system at https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Explore-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page at https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Board’s Mission - Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas. 

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) offers competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work alternatives 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. 

Current TWDB regional office employees are eligible for consideration.

Eligible position locations for non-TWDB candidates are Austin, DFW, and Houston Offices.

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

**Must meet agency in-office requirements**

***Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications***

Salary Ranges:

• Candidates with Texas Professional Engineer (P.E.) License or Professional Engineer (P.E.) in another U.S. State:
  • Engineer V or Project Manager IVS: $6,377.50/month - $9,214.00/month***
  • Engineer VI or Project Manager V: $9,215.00/month - $9,385.96/month***

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Performs advanced (senior-level) to highly advanced and/or managerial (senior-level) modeling, project management and/or engineering work. Work involves providing a senior leadership role in a successful floodplain modeling program and coordinating flood mapping tasks with existing agency efforts to support regional and state flood planning. Serves as an advisor on engineering-related matters and oversees applicable work conducted by staff. Ensures floodplain model compliance with agency-approved technical standards and procedures and accuracy of models and associated data. Establishes goals and objectives. Develops guidelines, procedures, policies, rules, and regulations. Develops schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals. Serves as a liaison and conducts presentations concerning floodplain modeling, mapping, and management in the state. Plans, assigns, and oversees the work of others. May train others. Works under limited to minimal supervision, with considerable to extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager of the Flood Modeling Department.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides a senior leadership role in the Flood Modeling Department.
• Provides senior technical leadership to the statewide floodplain modeling program designed to inform stakeholders of flood risk.
• Supports regional and state flood planning, including the development of relevant technical standards and procedures.
• Manages certain project activities within the department, including coordinating external activities and training, leading, and assigning or prioritizing 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, procedures, and the results of special investigations, audits, and research studies, to improve program operations.
• Writes, reviews, and evaluates scope of work, memos, reports, work processes, 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 all 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 a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical/Natural/Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in 
• Hydrologic/Hydraulic/Hydrodynamic Modeling, Surface Water Resources, or a related field.
  
• Professional Experience:
  • Candidates with Texas Professional Engineer (P.E.) License:
    • Engineer Classification Series:
      • Engineer V -  Four years of relevant work experience as a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).
      • Engineer VI -  Five years of relevant work experience as a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.). 
         
  • Candidates with Professional Engineer (P.E.) License in another U.S. State:
    • Project Manager Classification Series:
      • Project Manager IVS -  Four years of relevant work experience as a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).
      • Project Manager V - Five years of relevant work experience as a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).
         
• License/Certification:  
  • Engineer Classification Series:
    • Licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas.
       
  • Project Manager Classification Series:
    • Licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in another U.S. State with the willingness AND ability to obtain a Texas P.E. license within 6 months of hire.
       
• Previous relevant experience developing, applying, or running hydrologic/hydraulic models using HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, or similar models.
• Three years progressively responsible professional work experience managing projects and/or staff (including multi-disciplinary teams).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, Physical/ Natural/Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in 

  Hydrologic/Hydraulic/Hydrodynamic Modeling, Surface Water Resources, or a related field. 

• 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 conducting flood risk assessments including flood damage estimations and benefit cost analysis.  
• Experience in flood analytics including data analysis, data visualization and communication. 
• Experience with developing flood mitigation planning, modeling, and design solutions. 
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM).
• Experience in Project Management, mentoring, and/or training.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA's)

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to floodplain management and the Flood Modeling Department.  
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration. 
• Knowledge of ArcGIS 10 (or later) software product suite with familiarity of Spatial and 3D Analyst extensions and exposure to geodatabase use and design. 
• 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 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 maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure within Texas.
• Ability to meet agency in-office requirements.
• 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 all 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 to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs. 
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% 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 shifts that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends. 
• Ability to train others.

All interested candidates should apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system. First time applicants will need to create an account in the CAPPS online application system at https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Explore-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page at https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Board, Stephen F. Austin Building

1700 North Congress Ave., Room 670, Austin, Texas 78701

Please contact Human Resources for accommodation requests.

Phone: (512) 475-2142

Email: HR(AT)twdb.texas.gov