Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Under the direction of the Science Coordinator and the Lead Soil and Water Research Scientist, Science and Research Branch, provides technical, scientific, methodological and strategic direction and guidance to deliver on enhanced hydrological flow assessment and modelling tools as part of MNRF's Far North program.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Provide rigorous hydrology science and strategic leadership and direction for Far North hydrological models to ensure the accurate implementation of regional hydrology scientific models consistent with other models across Ontario. Examples of Ontario regional models include, Low Flow Predictive Models (LOF), Flood Flow Models (HIF), Mean Annual Flow Predictive Models (MAF) and Minimum Instream Flow Requirement Models (IFR)

2. Provide scientific advice and data suitability for the optimized digital geospatial implementation (including web implementation) of regional hydrology models for the Far North consistent with models applied in adjacent regions (such as LOF, HIF, MAF, IFR). A good example of such an implementation
in another jurisdiction is the United States Geological Survey (USGS) StreamStats program.

3. Provide leadership in the integration of existing hydrology time series analysis tools with geospatial hydrology models.

4. Maintain liaison with broader hydrology community across MNR (most notably the Surface Water Monitoring Centre), MOE, OMAFRA and Conservation Authorities, Academia and Environment Canada to help ensure optimized geospatial hydrology model implementation supports the widest possible range of provincial obligations (such as the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS 2005), Clean Water Act (2006), The Far North Act and others).

5. Provide technical support and strategic hydrology science advice to non-hydrologists within the Science and Research Branch, ROD, and other OPS/Partner agencies to help ensure data products are designed with optimal consideration of the OPS hydrology modeling community.

6. Other duties as assigned.

NOTE: The incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OH and S) Act and any workplace practices as directed by their immediate supervisor, and in accordance with the Internal Responsibility System as outlined in the OH and S Act.

Staffing and Licensing :

Degree and/or certificate in geography, hydrology, water resources management, and/or geographic information systems.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of regional hydrologic scientific models, boundary conditions, geographic limitations, expected inputs, ranges of expected values, strengths and weaknesses to ensure the selection of the appropriate regional hydrology scientific models and to conduct quality assurance scans of the data
inputs and outputs.- Knowledge of hydrology Time Series Analysis including Flow Duration Curve (FDC) Analysis, Base Flow Separation methods, appropriate infilling methods, calculation of flood/low/mean annual frequency flows and linkage to spatial databases.

Knowledge of surface water data models (such as Arc Hydro, TOPAZ, etc.) the expected underlying data and data structures to be able to run the models with data collected from the Far North with credible analytical techniques that are consistent with models used in other parts of Ontario.

Knowledge of water resource management and ecological and hydrologic concepts, principles, management practices and planning approaches; and hydrologic systems and functions in order to develop effective strategies, policies, guidelines, and legislation.

Knowledge of water resource management tools, techniques, models and procedures hydrometeorology, hydraulics stream flow analysis techniques, technical operations and techniques used to collect data and operate equipment associated with their practical application in Surface Water Monitoring and watershed conditions analysis.

Knowledge of both Raster and Vector Geospatial Systems and Remote Sensing (including ArcHydro) to be able to download the appropriate data into hydrological models and to create valid models and maps from the output.

Knowledge of Spatial databases relevant to hydrology analysis and modelling tobe able to carry out valid, defensible hydrological analysis and modelling

Knowledge of Relational Database Management Systems (Oracle, MS Access) as a fundamental skill for carrying out the assigned work.
Knowledge of analytical, problem solving techniques, data and information analysis and interpretation techniques, computer programming, modelling, analytical techniques and software such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, and project management tools in order to support policy,
program, and strategic development and the provision of related policy advice.

Knowledge of social, economic, environmental and political trends and environmental scanning techniques, and familiarity with the unique conditions in the Far North, in order to contribute to the development of effective strategies, policies, guidelines, and legislation.

Knowledge of quality control and quality assurance principles and practices to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Knowledge of project management processes to ensure project deliverables are completed on-time, within budget and to required specifications.

Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Skills :

Analytical and mathematical skills to review and evaluate models/analytical techniques in order to make water resource management decisions that impact provincial waters, adjacent lands and users with familiarity of the unique impacts for the Far North and extensive peatland terrain.

GIS, RDBMS scripting skills with particular emphasis on hydrology and time series applications to be able to develop the models from raw data sets available for the Far North region Ability to Work cooperatively in team environment.

Computer skills to manage computer based models and analytical techniques.

Analytical and evaluation skills for evaluating and recommending policies and programs in the context of changing trends in water resource management, predicted changes associated with climate change, and public safety.

Problem-solving skills when exploring policy options and making recommendations.

Verbal communication skills (e.g., judgement, tact and diplomacy) to gather and exchange information on/ and explain/ program/policy issues and initiatives when conducting research, consulting with stakeholders and liaising with staff from other ministries, agencies and jurisdictions.

Writing skills to prepare summaries of research and findings, develop reports and briefing materials on recommended program/policy options and implementation strategies.

Interpersonal skills to present, expand upon and illustrate program/policy options to other branch staff, project team members, managers and senior managers.

Freedom of Action :

Exercises latitude for decision-making, following the direction of and subject to the approval of the Science Coordinator, FRMS, by: determining scope of research required to address program/policy issues; determining technical parameters of research and techniques required/appropriate to conducting analyses of data and developing findings and conclusions in the development of recommended policy, strategic and program directions. Work is reviewed by the Science Coordinator or other senior staff specialists for soundness of research and analytical methods selected, timeframes identified for carrying out research and reasonableness of findings and conclusions. Independently identifies external and internal risks to project, develops and assesses alternative actions. Implements minor decisions and provides specialized advice to FRMS Manager and Science Coordinator for significant
changes.