Natural Resources Hydrologist Engineer

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director of the Department of Resource Management or their designee, performs professional engineering work in the planning, design, and implementation of complex infrastructure, stormwater, and land management improvements with natural resources as the top priority. Serves as project manager for the preparation of engineering plans, specifications, and bid documents to support watershed rehabilitation and management planning, and the implementation of the Department of Resource Management's Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan.

Coordinates with department senior team, other District departments, government agencies, residents, and consultants to achieve project goals. Oversees the work of and provides technical assistance and direction to Department of Resource Management staff and contractors. Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Duties

Prepares and/or reviews engineering plans, specifications, estimates, and schedules for land management projects including but not limited to trails, dams, water control structures, riparian areas, canoe and kayak launches, erosion and sediment control, storm water management, hydrological impacts to natural resources and invasive species management.

Conducts field inspections to collect information about site conditions including, but not limited to, topography, drainage, soils, vegetation, existing infrastructure, and ecological conditions and uses the information to propose scopes of work for hydrologic improvement projects.

Conducts field inspections of water-related infrastructure such as culverts, water control devices, and drain tiles. Maintains a database of maintenance activities for such infrastructure.

Provides hydrologic modeling and outreach support to improve the effectiveness of mitigation and restoration efforts focused on improving aquatic species passage; reducing or eliminating hydraulic constrictions in the natural environment; erosion control and floodplain management analyses.

Evaluates and quantifies the water quality benefits of projects in order to prioritize natural resources work.

Conducts, analyzes, and interprets hydrologic surveys and other watershed data for input to environmental reports; recommends strategies and solutions that mitigate damage to and restore ecosystem health and flood resilience.

Uses technical knowledge of hydrologic systems to assist with preparation of bid documentation, specifications, participate in evaluation panels, and recommend award of contracts to qualified bidders.

Conducts land management observation and inspections to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications, including measurement and documentation of work performance line items in order to authorize payments to consultants and contractors.

Prepares and reviews permit submittals required for project implementation.

Performs hydrologic and hydraulic analysis to support project design and permitting.

Provides technical guidance to Resource Management and District staff in various departments by clarifying technical issues, policies, procedures, or standards related to stormwater management or erosion and sediment control for land management projects.

Receives and evaluates road-stream crossing, water flow, and pollutant modeling data to support the review of license and easement requests by outside parties.

Assists with preparation of annual budget projections and reports as it relates to planned hydrologic restoration projects.

Prepares exhibits, modeling, and construction budget estimates to support acquisition of grant programs related to ecosystem restoration and natural infrastructure.

Represents the District at various intergovernmental and technical committees related to regional watershed programs, stormwater management and land management.

Maintains current knowledge of trends in the field by reading appropriate journals, books and other literature and attending related seminars, and the like, and informs and advises other staff as to new developments and best practices.

Coordinates and/or participates in stakeholder meetings to advance overall restoration goals.

Evaluates impacts of proposed construction, illegal land use activities, and/or land use requests.

Provides feedback on potential new property acquisitions as it relates to hydrology.

Coordinates with Resource Management staff on potential and/or ongoing mitigation projects on District property.

Works with other Resource Management staff to implement the goals of the Next Century for Conservation Plan.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, water resources from an accredited college or university AND at least 4 years of full-time work experience as a civil engineer OR possess a master's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or water resources AND at least 3 years of full-time work experience as a civil engineer.

Must possess at least 2 years of full-time work experience with stormwater systems, hydraulics, hydrology, hydrologic modeling, or a related engineering field.

Must possess at least 1 year of full-time work experience using AutoCAD or similar software.

Must be certified as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Illinois or another state AND be willing to obtain the Illinois P.E. certification within 1 year of employment and maintain it as a condition of continued employment.

Must possess a valid driver's license and enter the information in the license field provided on the online application.

Preferred Qualifications

Possess work experience with Forest Preserves of Cook County's partner such as the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Cook County, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, Chicago Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden, or the Friends of the Forest Preserves.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of engineering as applied to the inspection, planning, design, and improvement of land management projects including but not limited to

trails, dams, water control structures, riparian areas, canoe and kayak launches, erosion and sediment control, storm water management, hydrological impacts to natural resources and invasive species

management.

Knowledge of and experience dealing with standard sources of engineering information, including IDOT standard specifications, OSHA laws and their application.

Skill and proficiency in the use and operation of computers, AutoCAD or similar software, Microsoft Office or similar software, Geographic Information Systems/Global Positioning Systems (GIS/GPS) platforms and survey equipment.

Experience working with hydraulic modeling and/or culvert design and management.

Experience managing spatial and non-spatial datasets including developing and maintaining metadata and working with relational databases.

Knowledge of stream ecology, particularly as it relates to aquatic species passage.

Ability to read and interpret contracts, engineering plans, specifications, estimates, and schedules.

Knowledge of government functions and roles as they relate to execution of project permitting and compliance with local, state, and federal water regulations.

Ability to be proactive in identifying and following up on organizational needs, determining tasks necessary to meet requirements and deadlines, and identifying and engaging support staff and resources as needed.

Experience with report preparation and analysis.

Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups.

Skill in developing site plans for construction, renovation, and stormwater management projects.

Knowledge and ability to direct and coordinate plans with community partners, as well as various internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to take charge of large-scale engineering projects requiring the application of established engineering standards.

Ability to work remotely, if required.

This position may require the employee to work out of various locations temporarily to facilitate District operations.

Ability to work extended days, evenings, and weekend hours as needed.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Veteran's Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering "Yes" to the question "Are you a military veteran?"

Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of the application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, the one with the most recent date should be submitted. Coast Guard members must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

Benefits Package

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR AN INTERVIEW.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each brings to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.