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Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Hydrographer

Department Overview

PG&E's Power Generation Department manages and operates the largest privately-owned hydroelectric system in the nation. These renewable electric generation resources, located mostly at high elevation in California's Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade mountains include 68 powerhouses, 184 miles of canals, 41 miles of flumes, 135 miles of tunnels, 19 miles of penstock pipes, 99 reservoirs, and 142,000 acres of watershed lands - all covered by 26 operating licenses issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Position Summary

The successful candidate will support Generation Supervisors, Hydro Scheduling Consultants and Hydro Analysts in data synthesis towards the optimization of hydro production. This individual will be responsible for meeting and complying fully with FERC license requirements in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Resolving water related problems of complex scope may provide an opportunity for creative and/or non-standard approaches, and independent planning work to meet objectives.

A fully experienced Hydrographer is mostly autonomous, capable of performing full range of hydrographic work without technical oversight. They are solely responsible for meeting and complying with FERC/USGS surface water data collection and timely submittal of such record to the USGS. The Hydrographer is familiar with water rights for assigned watershed, has a thorough hydrographic knowledge of assigned watershed and facilities. Responsible for minimizing compliance deviation risk. They are responsible for recorded stage data, develop stage to flow with storage equations and make appropriate shift and datum corrections necessary due to channel control changes.

Responsibilities:

* Specify equipment needs, install, calibrate operate and maintain all instream and reservoir gauging equipment.
* Participate in Powerhouse efficiency testing.
* Conduct all types of stream flow measurements.
* Monitor current software e.g. GRIP/GUSS and HYDSTRA/KISTER programs for compliance with FERC license requirements.
* Review spillway reports for maintenance of spill rights.
* Collect, process and submit all surface water data
* Performs various water related studies, data requests, and billing as needed.
* Perform snow surveys.
* Coordinate with systems and programming staffs current software (HYDSTRA/KISTERS) on program enhancements
* Assist others with understanding hydrographic and water related operations and limitations of data for specific applications.
* Work with and provide direction to engineering, consultant and contract staff on specific projects.
* Handle and coordinate billings for the local Watershed.
* Audit, validate powerhouse records prior to submitting to the USGS.
* Participate in meetings, workshops, and conferences with technical and management representatives of state, federal, local water agencies and other stakeholder groups.
* Assist in preparing and developing recommendations on alternative approaches to optimize water system operations and performance.
* Validate GRIP/GUSS/GIS data to assure a stable and accurate flow of data to other departments, governmental and outside Agencies
* Perform analytical and technical assistance to the Water Management and other departments as may be needed.
* Prepare memoranda and reports documenting the results of technical analyses and participate in presentation to technical and non-technical audiences.
* Responsible for accurate write up of documentation and procedures including developing concisely worded E-mails to accompany data transfers.
* Oversee operations of weather modification/precipitation enhancement project if present on their watershed.
* Participate in Relicensing meetings and studies for watershed projects.

Qualifications

Minimum:

* A minimum 2 of years experience at the associate hydrographer level
* Valid Drivers License

Desired:

* Bachelor's degree or higher in water/hydrology, meteorology, geology, water resources, engineering, soils, natural resources or geology related field.
* Demonstrated knowledge of hydro database and hydroelectric system including stream/reservoir gages and weather stations in assigned area.
* Previous experience successfully submitting records to US Geological survey with their acceptance.
* Experience with ultrasonic flowmeter installation and operation.
* Demonstrated experience with FERC license required flows and storage requirements i.e. instream, recreation, and pulse flows, minimum reservoir storage, and reservoir drawdown schedules.
* Ability to appropriately prioritize time needed to produce results. Schedule daily work load and handles multiple projects during any given day.
* Has complete knowledge as to where to retrieve data for various uses including meeting data requests.