Collaborative Earth (CE) is seeking a part-time Hydrologic Modeling specialist (or team) to support our Waterways Program with the quantification of hydrologic benefits to help provide Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) in the Gulf Coast Region. This is a great opportunity to shape the foundations of a growing program and to strategically couple water-benefits modeling with our team’s advancements in carbon sequestration modeling and monitoring to inform program expansion.
The Waterways Program is focused on planting native vegetation on private property to improve floodplain and watershed function. This work will entail reforestation on relatively small scale sites (e.g. 5 – 50 hectares), with sites aggregated into larger projects for carbon and other ecosystem service benefits. Early project sites are located along tributaries of the Lower Brazos River in Waller County, Texas and the project is being developed alongside partners at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and in collaboration with local landowners. The team is also performing preliminary research on expansion of the project to the neighboring Cypress Creek watershed and within the Big Thicket Ecoregion in East Texas, both of which will be considered in modeling work.
This hydrologic work will be performed in close partnership with our CE Ecology team to develop two primary models: a replicable site-scale model that can quantify hydrological benefits to be coupled with carbon findings, and a subwatershed level model that calculates the potential aggregate downstream flood reduction benefits of this work. The site-scale model may be used to predict changes in runoff volume, evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge or other water benefits as agreed with the project team. This work will help quantify the watershed-level benefits of Waterways Program activities.
This is a temporary remote contract with some potential for travel to project sites to conduct baseline measurements to inform planning. This is a long term program and planting activities are not expected to begin until 2027 at the earliest. Given this timeline, there is potential to expand this work scope as the project grows.
Key responsibilities will include:
– Preliminary research resulting in recommendation and selection of appropriate modeling techniques and prioritized regions/locations for model application.
– Site-level water-benefits model completion: Delivery of a site-scale model estimating water storage potential, groundwater recharge, evaporation and/or other agreed metrics for three scaling locations.
– Subwatershed level flooding model calibrated against available observed hydrological data and projected program benefits for three scaling locations.
– PES-ready outputs: Production of plain-language briefs translating model results into decision-ready metrics for municipalities, utilities, and infrastructure-aligned funders.
– Calibration and validation of water models (e.g., SWAT+) with remote sensing and field data.
– As needed, baseline measurements (e.g. groundwater depth) to support project planning and possible future PES development
– Summarized model outcomes and recommendations
An ideal individual/team for this work will possess the following experience:
– Graduate degree or 5+ years of equivalent professional experience in hydrology, water resources management, environmental or civil engineering, or a related field.
– Demonstrated experience developing and applying hydrologic or watershed models, including HEC-RAS.
– Strong GIS/spatial analysis skills and the ability to comfortably work with geospatial datasets such as DEMs, soils, precipitation, stream networks, and land cover.
– Previous deliverables demonstrating the ability to independently scope a technical modeling problem and determine an appropriate methodology.
– Experience communicating technical results to interdisciplinary or non-technical audiences.
While not required, the following experience would be helpful
– Applied experience with one or more of the following tools: SWAT+, InVEST, VELMA.
– Experience conducting research in Texas or Gulf Coast watersheds
Project Details
We are hiring for a part-time position, likely 1–2 days per week, with the potential to structure the position as either a discrete work package or a part-time salary or fellowship (e.g. a post-doctoral researcher). Most importantly, we’re looking for someone (or a team) who is a strong fit for both the project and our organization and interested in potential longer term involvement in the Waterways Program, including development of future funding proposals to support expansion and elaboration of the modeling work completed during the initial engagement. Total compensation not to exceed $55,000 over a maximum period of one year, including any needed travel for field visits.
If you are excited about working at the intersection of science, community, and ecological regeneration, we’d love to hear from you!
To apply, please send us your resume (or your team’s resumes) and a 1 – 2 page cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications in the position, as well as highlighting any relevant work products using similar models or working in relevant watersheds. This cover letter can also include proposed approaches to modeling. Send these materials to team@collaborative.earth with the subject line “Hydrologic Modeling Proposal: [YOUR NAME]”.
