Hydrologist 2 - Southwestern Land Office

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Core Values:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.

• We value and respect each other. 
• We create collaborative work environments. 
• We build and maintain strong relationships. 
• We practice accountability. 
• We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work.

Job Overview:
The Hydrologist provides professional hydrology and soils management expertise to develop, coordinate and implement hydrology, fisheries and soils functions of the Trust Land Management Division. This position provides professional expertise to SWLO Units, the Land Office staff and the Forest Management Bureau.
Incumbent applies the theories, concepts, principles and practices of forest hydrology and soils including analyzing the effects of forest management and silviculture on water quality, fisheries and forest soils, landscape level effects, and recommending actions that develop, maintain, or reduce impacts to, water and soil resources.  Proper application requires broad-based knowledge of Forest hydrology and soil management, Best Management Practices (BMP’s), logging techniques and practices, forest road engineering and drainage, stream crossing design and installation and environmental mitigation techniques.  Incumbent must have an in-depth understanding of DNRC’s mission and programs; a variety of State and Federal laws, rules, and DNRC policies and procedures related to natural resource management, to ensure compliance with applicable governing laws and policy; and balance hydrologic and soils needs with management requirements. 

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):  These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties that may be assigned to the incumbent.

HYDROLOGIC AND SOILS ANALYSIS & STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT:
This position provides professional hydrologic and soils analysis for proposed forest and other land management projects and develops and coordinates Area-wide strategies for watershed and water resource management based on DNRC laws, rules, and policies.  The incumbent conducts professional analysis to determine potential environmental impacts; analyzes research results from similar environments; evaluates and recommends Best Management Practices; analyzes hydrologic and soils impacts of proposed or existing activities; develops appropriate, unique responses to timber sale problems; serves as a professional member of interdisciplinary teams; develops legally and scientifically defensible reports; coordinates with DNRC Forest Management Bureau and other resource management professionals; .  These duties require advanced knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, and practices of forest hydrology and soils management; environmental mitigation techniques; skill in analyzing the effects of forest management and silviculture on hydrologic and soil resources, fish habitat, analyzing landscape level effects, and recommending actions that develop, maintain, or reduce impacts to watersheds and soils; developing innovative recommendations where no standards and guidelines exist; managing and prioritizing multiple projects with explicit deadlines; and written and verbal communication, conflict management, persuasion, and negotiation skills; and the ability to develop innovative resource management approaches to unique circumstances; and coordinate a large number of projects simultaneously.       

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL PROJECTS AS ASSIGNED:
This position provides expertise to Unit and Area personnel in hydrology and soils management, BMPs, SMZ law, and environmental impacts.  The incumbent serves as the Area’s technical authority on hydrologic and soils evaluation and mitigation issues; provides professional expertise and consultation to Unit and Area resource managers; provides technical guidance to Unit Managers and other Unit/Area foresters in response to specific issues or problems;  serves as liaison between Area and Units, other specialists, Forest Management Bureau, and contractors;  and collects and synthesizes information for use in analysis .  These duties require advanced knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, and practices of forest hydrology and soils management; verbal and written communication techniques including group presentation, and instructional techniques; ; skill in managing and prioritizing multiple projects with explicit deadlines; and written and verbal communication, conflict management,  and negotiation skills; and the ability to translate technical data to individuals of varied technical levels; and coordinate a large number of projects simultaneously.

ROAD INVENTORY AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION:
This position conducts road inventory on state lands following standard procedures and data collection methods.  Prioritizes inventory based on timber harvest project planning and guidance from the Forest Management Bureau.  This position administers road maintenance and culvert installation contracts for the SWLO to ensure effective performance of contracted services.  This involves periodic monitoring of existing road conditions, coordinating with cost-share partners; developing project plans and requirements; assisting in the bidding and selection process; monitoring performance through periodic assessments; overseeing the payment of claims for contracted services; and responding to contractor inquiries and/or providing limited training as appropriate.  This work requires extensive knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, and practices of hydrology and soils management; road construction and maintenance; knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations; skill in directing, organizing, and coordinating multiple projects; project and personnel management skills; and effective written and verbal communication skills. 

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION ARE: 

• Online State of Montana application
• Resume 
• Cover Letter

HELPFUL HINT: You must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application.

Benefits:

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays
• Health, Dental, Prescription, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.  Look here, https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service to learn more and see if you may qualify!