Job Summary
The Hydrologist Project Manager serves as a subject matter expert and program lead for hydrologic and watershed management projects supporting a federal agency in disaster recovery, restoration, and resiliency efforts. This role oversees planning, analysis, design, and implementation of complex hydrologic projects, ensuring technical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and alignment with Forest management objectives.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Job Classification: Full-Time
Duty Station: Ashville, NC (Hybrid, 2 days minimum onsite)
Travel: Travel up to 75% (Travel required throughout the National Forests in North Carolina)
Duration: This role is anticipated to last 6 months, with the possibility of extension pending contact options.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Serve as technical lead and subject matter expert on hydrologic and watershed projects
- Plan, manage, and oversee watershed improvement and restoration projects
- Conduct and review hydrologic, geomorphic, soils, and geologic analyses
- Prepare and review technical reports, studies, and environmental documentation
- Ensure all plans and deliverables are technically sound and regulatory compliant
- Coordinate with federal, state, and local partners to integrate project data and plans
- Lead project planning, design, and implementation activities
- Provide technical guidance on water quality, stream restoration, and watershed management
- Analyze project impacts and provide recommendations for corrective actions
- Support development of long- and short-range watershed management programs
- Interpret and implement policies, regulations, and program directives
- Provide recommendations to support Forest Plan alignment and compliance
- Participate in public meetings and stakeholder coordination efforts
- Support responses to technical inquiries, including regulatory and congressional requests
- Maintain project records, GIS data, and technical documentation
- Lead coordination meetings and provide regular project updates to leadership
- This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Required Skills/Abilities
- Required: Advanced knowledge of hydrology, watershed management, and stream restoration principles
- Required: Ability to lead complex technical projects and perform high-level environmental analysis
- Required: Strong understanding of environmental regulations and compliance processes
- Required: Excellent technical writing, analytical, and communication skills
- Preferred: Experience managing watershed or hydrologic programs for federal land management agencies
- Preferred: Expertise in stream rehabilitation, riparian restoration, and water quality management
- Preferred: Experience integrating multi-disciplinary environmental data and planning efforts
- Preferred: Experience with GIS tools and hydrologic modeling or data analysis
Education and Experience
- Required: Master's degree in Hydrology, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Required: Minimum 5 years of technical experience in hydrology and watershed management
- Required: Experience in hydrologic analysis, restoration planning, and environmental compliance
- Preferred: Experience in the Southern Appalachian region or similar ecosystems
- Preferred: Experience managing large-scale or multi-disciplinary watershed projects
Physical Requirements
- Ability to conduct field visits in streams, watersheds, and rugged terrain
- Ability to stand, walk, and work outdoors for extended periods (up to 8 hours/day)
- Ability to work in extreme weather, noise, dust, and field conditions
- Ability to travel frequently to project sites and meetings
Benefits
Eligible employees receive the following benefits:
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
