Job Description

Only applicants who apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system will be considered for this position. First time applicants will need to create an account ****https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Login in the CAPPS online application system at https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Jobs . Please visit our job opportunities page at https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system .

Texas Water Development Board’s Mission - Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas. ****

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) endorses telecommuting and hybrid workplace plans, in addition to other flexible work alternatives. We offer competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work hours so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about our employee benefits and more, visit http://www.twdb.texas.gov/jobs/benefits.asp .

The Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities.

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

_ Job Description Summary_

Performs highly complex (senior-level) data science work to support data analysis, dissemination, modeling, and software development for hydrometeorological and surface water data within the Surface Water Division. The Surface Water Division focuses on data collection, analysis, and dissemination in four program areas: TexMesonet hydrometeorology, Water Availability, Coastal Science, and River Science and Hydrosurvey. These programs provide data and scientific information for water resources planning and management; additionally, the TexMesonet program oversees the collection of weather-related data for improving models and forecasts for severe weather, floods, fires, and droughts, and to enhance public safety, agricultural productivity, and research. Work involves overseeing the TexMesonet hydrometeorological data repository, developing and implementing tools for data management and dissemination, drafting procedures and reporting standards, analyzing data quality and implementing improvements, developing and maintaining computer programs for data archival, analysis, and dissemination via TexMesonet.org and waterdatafortexas.org, and, identifying and overseeing the development of data products needed by key stakeholders and the general public. Work also involves advising on and implementing enhancements for TexMesonet.org and the Water Data for Texas portal. Provides technical assistance to staff, stakeholders, and customers as needed. May participate in the planning, execution, and summary of scientific studies. Serves as a liaison within the agency and at public meetings and communicates scientific information to general and technical audiences. May train others. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Director of the Surface Water Division.

_ Essential Job Functions_

• Develops, enhances, and maintains hydrometeorological and water resources data and associated databases for TexMesonet.org and Water Data for Texas to support enhanced data and product services.

• Serves as a technical advisor on topics related to hydrometeorological data collection, analysis, management, and dissemination, providing direct support to the TexMesonet program.

• Serves as subject matter expert on hydrometeorological data and metadata standards, management, and archival guidelines.

• Develops data quality assurance and control processes, analyzes data quality, and implements necessary changes to ensure data quality improvement.

• Designs and implements appropriate database structure/s and data formatting for hydrometeorological station data.

• Designs and implements data dissemination tools for hydrometeorological data.

• Writes, executes, and maintains Python, Unix, PowerBI, and ArcGIS software programs and scripts, including for web-based automated data retrieval, analysis, visualization, and dissemination of data and model results.

• Conducts hydrometeorological research for developing data products.

• Applies knowledge of hydrometeorological data science, including that of emerging research, to advise on business decisions and program directions.

• Collaborates with other subject matter experts within the Surface Water division while ensuring coordination with the Surface Water Scientific Data Team Lead and WSC Business Analyst.

• Serves as a liaison in working with the Information Technology division.

• Works with stakeholders to identify user needs and develop value-added data products.

• Ensures compliance with National Mesonet Program data requirements and other applicable statutes and regulations.

• Writes, reviews, and evaluates scientific proposals, reports, work processes, field notes, and data.

• Coordinates and collaborates with other government agencies and academic institutions.

• May participate in external stakeholder committees, such as the TexMesonet Advisory Committee.

• May provide presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
  Serves as a project and/or contract manager.

• May require work days to occasionally exceed 8 hours, including early mornings and late nights.

• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.

• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.

• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.

• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

_ Minimum Qualifications_

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Atmospheric Science, Climatology, Meteorology, Hydrology, Computer Science, Statistics, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Seven years of experience relevant to hydrometeorological data science.
• Experience in relational database design and maintenance.
• Experience in the use of computer programming/scripting, such as Python (SciPy/Numpy, Matplotlib, etc.), R programming, Matlab, NCAR command language, and/or numerical/visualization tools.
• Experience in statistical analysis or experimental design.
• Experience in developing quality control and assurance protocols.
• Relevant education and experience can be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

_ Preferred Qualifications_

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with an advanced degree in Atmospheric Science, Climatology, Meteorology, Hydrology, Ocean Science, Computer Science, or a related field, or currently working toward such a degree.
• Experience with manipulating and analyzing large geophysical datasets.
• Experience with mesonets or similar water resources data collection networks.
• Experience with ArcGIS or PowerBI.
• Experience in project management.

_ Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)_

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the Surface Water division.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of data science; hydrometeorology principles, techniques, and procedures; of mathematics and statistics; and of the practical application of hydrology, water meteorology, and atmospheric sciences.
• Knowledge of scientific, statistical, and modeling principles and data analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of data quality assurance and quality control of scientific measurement data.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of website development for developing and modifying web portal applications.
• Knowledge of mesonets or earth observation station networks.
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Access.
• Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
• Skills in scientific data organization, management, analysis, and interpretation, specifically of hydrometeorology data.
• Skills in programming/scripting languages, such as Python, R programming, and Matlab, or similar.
• Skills in developing and modifying software and scripts.
• Skills in developing and maintaining automated process and conducting analyses.
• Skills in writing SQL queries and in developing and maintaining SQL databases.
• Skills in using numerical/visualization tools and working with large datasets.
• Skills in univariate and multivariate statistics and/or spatial data analysis techniques (e.g., ArcGIS, PowerBI).
• Skills in analyzing problems and devising effective solutions.
• Skills in evaluating and translating large amounts of data.
• Skills in critical thinking.
• Skills in drafting, plotting, GIS mapping and geodatabase development functions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on-time with little or no supervision.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance and clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to use critical thinking to analyze problems and devise effective solutions.
• Ability to lead scientific studies and perform duties as assigned without direct supervision.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with coworkers and internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to stand/sit/move to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 5% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work days that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to use critical thinking to analyze problems and devise effective solutions.
• Ability to plan and coordinate scientific studies and perform duties as assigned without direct supervision.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with coworkers and internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Information

All interested candidates should apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system. First time applicants will need to create an account https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Login in the CAPPS online application system https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Board, Stephen F. Austin Building

1700 North Congress Ave., Room 670, Austin, Texas 78701

Please contact Human Resources for accommodation requests.

Phone: (512) 475-2142

Email: HR(AT)twdb.texas.gov