Senior Hydrogeologist​/Principal Hydrogeologist

Position Overview and Near‑Term Priorities

The Senior Hydrogeologist and Principal Hydrogeologist are the third and fourth level in a five‑level hydrogeologist series and are responsible for planning, organizing, conducting, and overseeing geologic and hydrogeologic services and studies. The Senior Hydrogeologist has project management responsibilities. The Principal Hydrogeologist has larger project management responsibilities, increased supervisory responsibilities, and increased experience requirements.

Within the Hydrogeology department the role focuses on numerical groundwater flow modeling based on the USGS MODFLOW code. The position will support the following activities:

• Improve calibration of the 5-layer model for the Orange County Groundwater Basin, including review and refinement of the conceptual hydrogeologic model and incorporating automated parameter estimation techniques.
• Revise and recalibrate the 13‑layer model of the coastal Talbert Gap area to develop a long‑term improvement plan for the Talbert Seawater Intrusion Barrier.
• Evaluate and recommend transitions of existing models to newer MODFLOW versions, improve workflows via automation (e.g., Python scripting).
• Provide technical review of groundwater models developed by outside consultants for future seawater intrusion barrier and hydraulic containment projects.

In addition to modeling, the position supports hydrogeologic data interpretation, monitoring well design, data management, and other departmental priorities.

• Supervise employees, prioritize and assign work, conduct performance evaluations, ensure training, and make hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Perform project management: define requirements, timelines, resources; coordinate with staff and external consultants; prepare requests for proposals, review bids, select consultants; prepare agendas, track progress and costs; manage changes in scope; monitor schedules.
• Perform administrative functions: maintain records and files, prepare presentations, coordinate and schedule meetings, prepare purchase orders, apply protocol coding to database management.
• Prepare technical documentation on hydrogeological issues.
• Conduct geologic and hydrogeologic studies; compile, analyze, and interpret data.
• Provide hydrogeologic input and review for district projects managed by others.
• Prepare contract documents and retain contractors for district projects.
• Conduct groundwater modeling, prepare lithologic cross sections, manage operations and maintenance of assigned facilities, develop data collection and storage methodologies, prepare conceptual facility designs, interact effectively with colleagues, and follow safety rules.

• Mentor and review/critiquing work of other staff.
• Manage large and complex projects.
• Conduct presentations.
• Prepare and manage project budgets and contracts.
• Develop project concepts, proposals, and scope of work independently.
• Interact with outside agencies, producers, and other groups.
• Critique groundwater modeling.
• Review lithologic cross sections.
• Design extraction, injection, and monitoring wells based on field data.
• Provide support for public affairs and district cost recovery efforts.
• Review and evaluate hydrogeologic data, water quality data, and proposed work at sites impacted by contaminant releases; provide comments to oversight agencies.

• Geologic and hydrogeologic processes and principles.
• Borehole drilling and well construction methods and design.
• Mathematical concepts.
• Planning, development, and design principles.
• Project management principles and methods.
• Supervisory principles.

• Monitor and evaluate employees.
• Prioritize and assign work.
• Write technical reports.
• Monitor project budgets.
• Use computers and related software applications.
• Manage projects, conduct studies, analyze and interpret data.
• Communicate and interact effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and the general public.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations using PowerPoint.

Education/Training:
Bachelor’s Degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or closely related field;
Mas…