Water Resources Modeler

Position Overview

At HDR, our employee‑owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves:
What is our impact on the world? We believe water is more than a resource, it is a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come, from delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control.

Your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. Whether you are modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

HDR is looking for a Water Resources Modeler to join our Water Resources team in Sacramento, CA. Candidates should have experience in reservoir system operations, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and analysis, watershed hydrology and climate change analysis. Our clients include local, state, and federal agencies. Projects involve water supply, reservoir operations modeling, hydraulic simulation and optimization, hydrologic and climate change modeling, ensemble and statistical analysis, flood management and ecological enhancements.

• Serve as a key member of project delivery teams.
• Mentor junior staff and manage small‑ to medium‑sized projects.
• Effectively interact with clients and peers and represent HDR professionally.
• Work independently while enjoying collaborative teamwork.
• Produce clear technical writing and uphold rigorous quality control/quality assurance processes.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Minimum 5 years of experience.
• Graduate degree.
• Experience with water infrastructure planning studies, extreme hydrology, and/or consequence analysis.
• Experience with water supply operations modeling such as Cal Sim and Cal Lite.
• Experience with climate change analytical tools and datasets.
• Experience with reservoir and system modeling.
• Experience with risk‑based planning and risk‑informed decision‑making.
• Familiarity with integration of resiliency into the planning process.

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Water Resources, or closely related field.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with technical evaluations and conceptual modeling.
• Basic working skills with GIS, Microsoft Excel, and Word.
• Experience with total station (GPS and associated software).
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Self‑motivated, able to work independently and with a project team to completion of tasks.
• May require field work in remote areas.
• Commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success, including medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $89,854 – $121,567 annually depending on skills, experience, education, and geographical location.

Primary

Location:

United States – California – Sacramento
Industry: Water

Schedule:

Full‑time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Water Supply Management
Job Posting Date:
Oct 29, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer
. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.