Senior Engineer/Senior Scientist
South Florida Water Management District
West Palm Beach, FL

This position may be filled at the following levels: Staff Engineer/Scientist 4/ Engineering Specialist 4 / Engineering Specialist 3. Depending on qualifications and experience.

The selected applicant will be working in both fluid flow measurements for regular streamgauging and for special projects supporting environmental restoration, capacity verification of temporary pumping systems, high-profile engineering projects and litigious cases related to water issues. The effective application of hydraulics, fluid mechanics, and hydrology principles related to fluid flow are needed to perform the work assignments for this position. Supervision and guidance will be given on overall or key objectives, critical issues, new concepts, and policy matters. Direction will be given for unusual problems and developments, while the work products will be reviewed for sound technical and professional judgment. The selected candidate will be responsible for keeping the immediate supervisor current on the status of deliverables and assignments and is expected to provide technical coaching to junior professional staff.

Experience is needed in: (a) collecting streamgauging data (flow, water/pressure readings & operational settings) required for developing, calibrating, validating flow rating formulas used to estimate the flow at spillways, culverts, and pumps, (b) extracting and analyzing data from flow-meter output files, archiving, and extracting data from hydro databases using computer applications written in the Wolfram Language, MatLab, Python, or other object-oriented languages, and (c) writing reports and preparing presentations summarizing technical work for managers and data users.

The selected applicant will work in measurements of: (i) open-channel flows near hydraulic structures by advanced hydroacoustic flow meters such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) and acoustic point velocimeters (ADVs), (ii) culvert flows by Acoustic Doppler Flowmeter, (iii) pressurized flows in pipelines by ultrasonic time-of-travel flow meters, and (iv) water stages in open channels by portable stage sensors. The selected applicant will be expected to: (a) apply good-measurement practices for streamgauging set forth in USGS guidelines and ISO standards for hydrometric measurements; and (b) have experience/quickly learn how to apply the standard procedures to compute the total combined uncertainty in measurements outlined in the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement and ANSI/ASME standards to account for measurement precision and calibration uncertainties.

Employment Guidelines

Senior Engineer:
Bachelor’s Degree from an ABET/EAC accredited program and 6+ years' experience that (i) demonstrates measurable career progression within an engineering discipline, and (ii) can be applied to support the District's strategic goals and objectives. Advanced degree preferred. Disciplines for engineering education and experience requirements include Civil, Mechanical, Environmental, or related engineering fields with emphasis in water resources, hydraulic systems, hydrometry, or environmental fluid mechanics.

Senior Scientist:
Master’s Degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Environmental Fluid Mechanics or Physical Sciences and 6+ years’ experience that (i) demonstrates measurable career progression and experience within scientific discipline, and (ii) focus in environmental fluid mechanics measurements, and hydrometry or closely related field that can be applied to support the District’s strategic goals and objectives.

Staff Engineer:
Bachelor’s Degree from an ABET/EAC accredited program and 4+ years' experience that (i) demonstrates measurable career progression within an engineering discipline, and (ii) can be applied to support the District's strategic goals and objectives. Advanced degree preferred. Disciplines for engineering education and experience requirements include Civil, Mechanical, Environmental, or related engineering fields with emphasis in water resources, hydraulic systems, hydrometry, or environmental fluid mechanics.

Scientist 4:
Bachelor’s Degree (Master's Degree preferred) in Environmental Fluid Mechanics or Physical Sciences and 4+ years’ experience that (i) demonstrates measurable career progression and experience within scientific discipline, and (ii) focus in environmental fluid mechanics measurements, and hydrometry or closely related field that can be applied to support the District’s strategic goals and objectives.

Engineering Specialist 4:
Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Fluid Mechanics or Physical Sciences and 4+ years’ experience that (i) demonstrates measurable career progression and experience within scientific discipline, and (ii) focus in environmental fluid mechanics measurements, and hydrometry or closely related field that can be applied to support the District’s strategic goals and objectives. Incumbent continues the process for attaining State of Florida Professional Engineer license by receipt of Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation and continuing to accumulate acceptable experience for work time licensure requirements.

Engineering Specialist 3:
Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Fluid Mechanics or Physical Sciences and 2+ years’ experience that (i) demonstrates measurable career progression and experience within scientific discipline, and (ii) focus in environmental fluid mechanics measurements, and hydrometry or closely related field that can be applied to support the District’s strategic goals and objectives. Incumbent continues the process for attaining State of Florida Professional Engineer license by receipt of Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation and continuing to accumulate acceptable experience for work time licensure requirements.

License for Senior Engineer or Staff Engineer:
State of Florida Professional Engineer (PE) License and keeps licensure status current, or if PE from another state, must become licensed by endorsement in Florida within six months from date of hire.

License for All Positions:
Valid State of Florida Driver's License required.

Physical Requirements/ Working Environment:
Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.

Veterans' Preference :
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. All documentation is due by the close of the job posting.