Environmentalist III, Assistant Flood Hazards Geoscientist

Formed in January 1987 by state statute RSA 21-O, NHDES was legislatively created through the consolidation and reorganization of four previously separate agencies: the Air Resources Agency, the Office of Waste Management,the Water Supply and Pollution Control Commission, and the Water Resources Board. Each of these groups is now represented within the department’s three divisions: Air Resources, Waste Management, and Water. Also, NHDES has units within the Office of the Commissioner whose roles are to coordinate such activities as agency-wide planning, enforcement, permitting, public information, laboratory services, geologic services, information resources,and financial and personnel management.

Position Overview

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services, Office of the Commissioner, New Hampshire Geological Survey has a full time vacancy for an Environmentalist III/Assistant Flood Hazards Program Geoscientist.

To plan, implement and coordinate statewide stream crossing assessment data management and flood-related hydraulic modeling projects, with responsibility for evaluating the environmental and public safety impacts caused by improperly sized stream crossings.

Responsibilities

• Plans, conducts and implements statewide stream crossing data collection activities, in collaboration with multiple state agencies, to identify improperly sized stream crossings with the greatest future potential to impact public safety and the environment on New Hampshire rivers and streams.
• Coordinates the implementation of quality control and assurance procedures and reviews for stream crossing data submitted to the New Hampshire Geological Survey.
• Works collaboratively with other state agency technical personnel to develop protocols and methods for the collection, quality control, storage, maintenance and analysis of stream crossing and related geospatial data.
• Collaborates with other state agency personnel to develop and enhance hydraulic models in support of the state stream crossing initiative, flood risk mitigation and wetlands protection.
• Identifies and substantiates, with support from developed hydraulic models, infrastructure or land areas at risk from hydraulic model predictions.
• Performs detailed surveys of rivers, streams and adjacent floodplains, including manmade features such as culverts and bridges, using geographic information system technology and precision measurement instruments in support of input to hydraulic models.
• Organizes and ensures the integrity of data pertaining to the flood hazards program, with specific emphasis on the stream crossing assessment initiative.
• Serves as steward of the department river modeling flume, communicating with local watershed groups, government officials, and the public to promote practical application of fluvial geomorphic concepts and principles in the context of flood hazard avoidance and environmental management.
• Provides training on the stream crossing assessment data collection protocol to data collectors from multiple organizations.
• Continually seeks to improve practices to add quality and value in support of the Department's mission while identifying and eliminating unnecessary or redundant actions within the NH Geological Survey.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university with major study in a related environmental science. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
• Experience: 4 years’ experience as an Environmentalist or in geomorphology, geology, surface water hydrology, environmental management, risk management or hazard mitigation.
• License/Certification: Eligibility for NH driver’s license.
• Criminal background and driving record review required.

Preferred Work Traits:

• Specific knowledge of river and flood hydrology, geomorphology, and wetlands ecology, with supplementary knowledge of broader environmental concepts, particularly related to surface water resources.
• Ability to analyze flood risk and hydrological datasets. Excellent knowledge of ArcGIS 10.x ® geographic information systems software, and its use in spatial analysis.
• Knowledge of Python computer code.
• Knowledge of water-resources based hydraulic modeling and associated concepts.
• Ability to conduct technical training programs, and provide public outreach in a highly professional manner.
• Ability to maintain, and be productive working within, highly collaborative relationships with state government colleagues, local government and external entity stakeholders, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate concisely in oral, written and graphic form.

Disclaimer Statement: This supplemental job description lists typical examples of work and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to a position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter and resume. 
• In order to receive credit for post-secondary education, a copy of official transcripts with a seal and/or a signature should be included with the application.
• If copies of transcripts have been requested please reference this and have them forwarded to the Human Resources office for the agency listed.