Senior Hydrologist (Contract, Mostly Remote)

Employer: DR Reed & Associates
Reports to: Chief Hydrologist
Compensation: $45-55/hour (1099).
Location: Mostly remote with periodic on-site work (field station audits, trainings, meetings).

Role Summary

DR Reed & Associates is seeking a Senior Hydrologist to serve as the technical lead for environmental monitoring systems across the California Delta. You will own the CRBasic codebase that integrates multi-sensor instrumentation and telemetry, steward SOPs and troubleshooting workflows, and mentor staff on index-velocity ratings and water-quality records. You will also function as our Aquarius platform lead (USGS LDM equivalent) for time-series management.

Core Responsibilities

Systems & Code Ownership:

  • Lead developer for CRBasic code integrating: Teledyne RDI Channel Master ADCPs, YSI EXO sondes, Sea-Bird SUNA nitrate analyzers, bbe Fluoroprobe, Campbell Scientific CS456 pressure sensors, radar stage sensors, Sierra Wireless RV55 modems, and related cellular/radio telemetry.
  • Maintain version-controlled code; Establish Git-Hub sharing platform, implement robust error handling within code logic, watchdog/retry logic, and instrument health logs.
  • Standardize instrument configurations (baud/protocol, bursts/averaging, data dictionaries) and ensure synchronized acquisition within 15-minute or program-specified cycles. Design wire schematic to use as a backdrop on electronics board to aid assembly and field troubleshooting.

SOPs & Troubleshooting:

  • Author and maintain SOPs for CR code use, calibrations, QA/QC, data retrieval from CR devices, and recovery procedures for backup data sources.
  • Serve as escalation point for instrument and code troubleshooting, including comms (RS-232/RS-485/SDI-12), power/solar, and telemetry (cellular and radio).

Technical Leadership & Training:

  • Act as technical authority for coding, instrument function, and diagnostics.
  • Train and advise staff on index-velocity rating (IVR) development, rating approvals, water-quality record processing, and record approvals. (Advisory/approval authority; not the primary duty.)

 

Data Platform Management (Aquarius):

  • Lead Aquarius Time-Series & Aquarius Samples administration: create new time series; configure sites/parameters/units; manage instrument lists and metadata; implement import pipelines, validations, and audit trails like USGS RMS workflows.
  • Establish QA/QC workflows, log a QA/QC file in station dataloggers recording information like; coordinate rating curves, corrections, and ADCP configuration data, sensor offset values, and other pertinent meta data that is written daily.
  • Function as the Local Database Manager (LDM equivalent): governance, permissions, backups, and documentation.
  • Setup backup Loggernet database that uploads the previous day’s data to our local server for backfilling missing data.
  • Setup file structure on local server to house all data collected from field visits, measurements, station programs and script files, pictures, backup data sources

Stakeholder Support:

  • Support the Chief Hydrologist in preparing materials and presenting at USBR and cooperator meetings; distill technical findings into clear visuals and briefings.
  • Contribute to data visualization tools, workflow efficiency audits, interviews and candidate selection, and other cross-functional needs as assigned.

Field & Operational Support:

  • Conduct field station audits, specialized hands-on trainings, and periodic personnel assessments alongside the Chief Hydrologist.
  • Validate installs and calibrations; verify data quality against SOPs and program standards.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 7+ years professional experience in hydrologic monitoring or closely related discipline, including multi-sensor station integration and telemetry.
  • Demonstrated CRBasic proficiency building and maintaining production code for Campbell Scientific loggers (e.g., CR6 family).
  • Hands-on experience with two or more of: RDI Channel Master, YSI EXO, SUNA, bbe Fluoroprobe, CS456/radar stage sensors, RV55 modem.
  • Strong grasp of serial protocols (RS-232/RS-485/SDI-12), instrument timing/synchronization, and noise/power management (12-V systems, solar/battery).
  • Proven track record administering Aquarius Time-Series and Aquarius Samples (or equivalent LIMS/TSDB) including time-series setup, metadata governance, and publication QA/QC.
  • Experience with index-velocity rating development and review, discharge computation, and water-quality record processing and approvals.
  • Excellent written communication for SOPs and stakeholder briefs; clear verbal communication for trainings and meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

  • California Delta or tidal/estuarine monitoring experience.
  • Python/R or similar for data QA/QC tooling, file parsers (e.g., PD0), and visualization.
  • Familiarity with NWIS/AWQMS or comparable data publication systems.
  • Experience training and mentoring technicians/early-career staff.
  • Practical knowledge of cellular/radio networking (APNs, static IPs, AceManager), VPNs, and remote device management.

Work Conditions & Travel

  • Mostly remote with scheduled site visits for audits, trainings, installs, and stakeholder meetings (frequency varies by project).
  • Occasional early/late hours tied to tides, outages, or critical field windows.
  • Ability to lift field equipment and safely work around water and vessels (PPE provided).

What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)

  • CRBasic codebase standardized, documented, and version-controlled; stable integrations across all listed instruments and telemetry paths.
  • SOP library published and adopted; mean-time-to-recover (MTTR) for common faults measurably reduced.
  • Aquarius configurations cleaned and governed; repeatable ingestion and QA/QC pipelines in place.
  • Staff trained on IVR methods and WQ records; documented checklists and quick-reference guides in circulation.

Employment Status & Compensation

  • Contractor (1099) at $55/hour.
  • Bonuses for milestone achievements and extraordinary performance at the Chief Hydrologist’s and Project Managers discretion.
  • No employer-provided health, retirement, sick-time, or PTO benefits offered at this time.

How to Apply

Send a resume/CV, a brief cover note, and (optionally) examples of relevant CRBasic code or Aquarius workflows you’ve led to Rhiannon Kucharski (rkucharski@drreedinc.com). Short-listed candidates may be asked to walk through an instrument integration or QA/QC scenario.