Water Resources Modeler

Overview

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?

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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe water is more than a resource, it s 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.

We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you re modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it s a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

HDR is looking for a Water Resources Modeler to join our Water Resources team in Sacramento, CA. Candidates for the position 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.

Our team is growing and has a range of challenging and innovative projects. We work within multi-disciplinary teams on projects related to water supply, reservoir operations modeling, including hydrology development and analysis; reservoir simulation, optimization and re-operation; hydrologic and climate change modeling; and ensemble and statistical analysis, FERC relicensing, flood management, and ecological enhancements. The preferred candidate would have experience in a combination of these subject areas.

Skills such as scripting (such as WRESL, Python/Jython, or VBA) and experience with Cal Sim II and Cal Sim 3, Cal Lite, VIC, HEC software (such as HEC-SSP, HEC-HMS, HEC-Res Sim and both HEC-RAS 1D and 2D), water temperature modeling (HEC 5Q, CE QUAL W2), climate change analytical tools and datasets (such as Global Circulation Models and downscaling methods), linear programming and optimization would be considered beneficial.

• The candidate is expected to be a key part of project delivery teams; mentor junior staff; manage small- to medium-sized projects; and effectively interact with clients and peers.
• Candidates should be able to work independently but also enjoy working in a collaborative team environment.
• The candidate must have strong writing skills and good quality control/quality assurance processes.
• This candidate will also perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum 5 years of experience
• 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
• Demonstrated basic working skills with GIS, Microsoft Excel and Word
• Total Station experience (GPS and associated software)
• Strong technical writing skills are also necessary
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and with a…