Job Specification - Hydrology Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

A Hydrology Analyst is a specialized professional focused on the study of water, its movement, distribution, and quality across the Earth's surface. This role is central to understanding and managing water resources effectively. The Analyst uses sophisticated modeling software, statistical analysis, and geospatial tools to interpret complex datasets, predict water-related phenomena like floods and droughts, and assess the environmental impact of human activities. They provide critical data-driven insights that inform engineering design, environmental policy, resource allocation, and risk management for public agencies, consulting firms, and private industry.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Junior Environmental Scientist or Technician
GIS Analyst with a focus on environmental data
Recent Graduate (with a relevant Master's or Bachelor's degree)

Advancement To:

Senior Hydrologist or Senior Hydrology Analyst
Water Resources Manager or Lead
Environmental Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Consultant
Data Scientist (with a geospatial or environmental focus)
Water Policy Advisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, calibrate, and meticulously validate complex hydrological and hydraulic models (e.g., HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM) to accurately simulate surface water flow, groundwater interactions, and predict the impact of various scenarios like climate change or new infrastructure.
Perform advanced statistical and time-series analysis on large-scale hydro-meteorological datasets, including precipitation, streamflow, evapotranspiration, and water quality parameters, to identify significant trends, cycles, and anomalies.
Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS, for complex geospatial analysis, including watershed delineation, floodplain mapping, land use impact assessment, and the creation of compelling data visualizations.
Author comprehensive, high-quality technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and regulatory documents that clearly articulate methodologies, findings, and actionable recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Design and manage field data collection programs to gather critical water data, which involves deploying and maintaining monitoring equipment, conducting stream gauging, and collecting water quality and sediment samples.
Conduct detailed flood risk assessments and inundation mapping to support emergency management planning, infrastructure design, and compliance with federal and state floodplain regulations.
Analyze the impacts of proposed land development, agricultural practices, or industrial projects on local and regional water quality, water balance, and aquatic ecosystems.
Evaluate water supply availability and perform drought analysis, creating models and forecasts to support municipal water planning and agricultural water management strategies.
Process and interpret remote sensing data (e.g., LiDAR, satellite imagery) to derive key hydrological parameters such as terrain models, land cover classifications, and soil moisture content.
Ensure all data collection and analysis activities adhere to rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocols to guarantee the integrity, accuracy, and defensibility of the results.
Collaborate directly with civil engineers, environmental planners, and project managers to integrate hydrological findings into the design of bridges, culverts, stormwater management systems, and habitat restoration projects.
Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and engaging presentations of technical findings to clients, regulatory agencies, and the public, effectively translating complex data into understandable concepts.
Stay current with emerging scientific literature, modeling techniques, and regulatory changes within the fields of hydrology, water resources engineering, and environmental science.
Support permit application processes by providing the necessary hydrological and water quality data and analysis required by agencies like the EPA or state environmental departments.
Develop and apply statistical methods for flood frequency analysis and low-flow analysis to inform infrastructure design criteria and water allocation policies.
Perform detailed stormwater and drainage analysis for urban and rural developments, designing solutions to mitigate runoff, control pollution, and promote groundwater recharge.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer pressing questions from leadership and project teams.
Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and roadmap by identifying new data sources and analytical tools.
Collaborate with various business units to translate their strategic questions and operational needs into specific data engineering and analysis requirements.
Participate actively in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospective ceremonies within an agile project management framework.
Mentor junior analysts and interns, providing guidance on technical methodologies and professional development.
Assist in writing grant proposals and project bids by contributing technical sections related to hydrological analysis and data management.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Hydrological & Hydraulic Modeling: Advanced proficiency in industry-standard software such as HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM, and/or MODFLOW.
Geospatial Analysis: Expertise in GIS software (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) for data processing, spatial statistics, and cartography.
Statistical Programming: Strong skills in a programming language like Python (with libraries like Pandas, GeoPandas) or R for data manipulation, statistical analysis, and automation.
Data Management: Competency in querying and managing data using SQL from relational databases.
Technical Writing: Demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, and comprehensive technical reports, memos, and documentation.
Field Data Collection: Experience with field instrumentation and techniques for measuring streamflow, water levels, and water quality parameters.
Data Visualization: Skill in using tools like Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau, or Power BI to create insightful charts and dashboards.
Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with key environmental regulations and standards (e.g., Clean Water Act, FEMA flood standards).
Remote Sensing: Understanding of how to process and analyze satellite imagery, LiDAR, and other remotely sensed data for environmental applications.

Soft Skills

Analytical & Critical Thinking: A strong aptitude for dissecting complex problems, identifying underlying assumptions, and evaluating solutions from multiple perspectives.
Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in troubleshooting model errors, data gaps, and unexpected analytical challenges.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
Collaboration: A team-oriented mindset with a proven ability to work effectively with engineers, scientists, planners, and clients.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in all aspects of work, from data entry and model setup to final report proofreading.
Project & Time Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and budget constraints.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's Degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.

Preferred Education:

A Master's Degree (M.S.) or Doctorate (Ph.D.) with a specific focus on hydrology or water resources.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Hydrology or Water Resources Engineering
Environmental Science or Engineering
Civil Engineering (with a water resources focus)
Geology or Hydrogeology
Physical Geography or Geospatial Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in a hydrology, water resources, or related environmental analysis role.

Preferred:

Experience working within an environmental consulting firm or for a public agency (e.g., water district, environmental protection agency) is highly desirable. A portfolio of projects demonstrating modeling and analysis capabilities is a significant plus.