Research and Operations Hydrologist

#136365 Research and Operations Hydrologist Filing Deadline:
Fri 2/6/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment:
Apply by 8/21/2025 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants:
Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

Job posting will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified.

This position is located in Sacramento at the jointly located offices of the California Nevada River Forecast Center and the California Department of Water Resources Hydrology and Flood Operations Branch.

The position is located in Sacramento and will integrate with the CA Department of Water Resources (DWR) Hydrology and Flood Operations Branch and the National Weather Service (NWS) California Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC) to foster a Research and Operations Partnership (RAOP) with CW3E and associated institutions and agencies.

This position is identified in a partnership contract with DWR where the incumbent will work alongside DWR and CNRFC hydrologic forecasting teams. The incumbent will learn and participate in the issuance and communication of short-, medium, and long-range river forecast information to help support statewide emergency response and water and reservoir management decision-makers.

The incumbent will develop expertise in the generation of hydrologic ensemble forecasts and hindcasts to support Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) projects and CW3E research, and help maintain and enhance hydrologic prediction systems on CW3E’s IT infrastructure that serve as a testbed for various research and development (R&D) and research to operations (R2O) activities. This position will engage in CW3E research and act as a two-way conduit for research, advancements, and operational gaps and opportunities to the benefit of DWR, CNRFC, and CW3E.

• Bachelor's degree in Meteorology or a related area and/or equivalent experience or training.
• Thorough knowledge of research function. In-depth knowledge and rich experience in large-scale land surface hydrologic modeling over the Western US, including model development/improvement, large-scale implementation, validation, and analysis.
• Thorough skills associated with statistical analysis and systems programming. Experience in regional hydroclimate analysis (streamflow, snow, and soil moisture). Strong experience in flood and drought analysis through modeling and large data. Experience with High-Performance Computing (HPC) and large data environments.
• Skills to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing. Ability to present probabilistic and deterministic forecast information to a broad audience. Skills in forecast/scientific graphical representation and writing of reports.
• Skills in project management. Strong time management skills. Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Research skills at a level to evaluate alternate solutions and develop recommendations. This includes proposing new analyses, new conceptual ideas, or new workflow recommendations.
• Thorough skills in analysis and consultation. Proven ability to develop forecast both individually and as a member of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy and flexibility with the ability to work independently or within a team framework in conjunction with principles of community with staff, faculty, researchers, and students.

• Master's or doctorate degree in Meteorology or a related area and/or equivalent experience/training preferred.
• Proven ability to multitask and work independently while effectively organizing and prioritizing a high volume of responsibilities to meet deadlines. Skilled at quickly adapting to changing priorities while exercising sound judgment and taking initiative.
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure and to re-direct efforts to meet operational needs, requiring frequently changing and balancing competing priorities; must be able to function at a high level in a team environment.

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.
• The incumbent must be able to acquire a Common Access Card (CAC).
• This position is located in Sacramento at the jointly located offices of the California Nevada River Forecast Center and the California Department of Water Resources Hydrology and Flood Operations Branch.
• As hydrologic and meteorologic conditions warrant, shift work during nights, weekends, and holidays will be required to issue flood forecasts and to support the State/Federal Flood Operations…