Hydrologist

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Job Description

Project Overview

Millennium Challenge Account-Zambia II (MCA-Z II), with funding from the MCC, is procuring consulting services for selected sections of the T5 road and the R185a/D274 loop road in Zambia. The assignment covers feasibility study, outline design, environmental and social impact assessment and management planning, works procurement support, review of Design-Build contractor documents, and optional construction monitoring and post-construction services under the FIDIC Yellow Book. The Base Period comprises Phases I and II, with Phases III and IV included as options; Phases V and VI cover optional construction monitoring and the defects notification period.

Project Overview

The Hydrologist will lead meteorological and hydrological data collection, catchment analysis, climate-change assessment, design-flow estimation, and hydrological modelling for bridges, culverts, side drains, and other cross-drainage infrastructure. The role will work closely with drainage, bridge, road-design, geotechnical, economic, and environmental specialists.

• Professional engagement is contingent on project award and client approval.

Responsibilities

• Collect, review, and analyze rainfall, river-flow, flood-level, gauging-station, catchment, land-use, and observed flood information for the project roads.
• Develop hydrological models and estimate design flows for bridges, culverts, side drains, and proposed drainage structures using approved methodologies, including HEC-HMS or similar tools where applicable.
• Assess climate-change effects using relevant projections and evaluate at least two climate scenarios, including a high-emissions scenario.
• Calibrate and validate models using available historical events, gauging data, statistical estimates, and observed flood markers.
• Recommend design return periods, rainfall intensities, runoff coefficients, freeboard, and design-flow values for drainage infrastructure.
• Coordinate river-channel surveys and provide hydrological inputs to HEC-RAS or similar bridge hydraulic modelling and HY-8 or similar culvert analysis.
• Prepare catchment plans, hydrological analyses, bridge and culvert schedules, climate-resilience recommendations, and inputs to drawings, quantities, cost estimates, and economic appraisal.
• Review Design-Build contractor hydrological and hydraulic analyses, drainage sizing, and extreme-weather adaptation measures during Phase IV.

Skills & Abilities

• Hydrological data analysis, rainfall-runoff modelling, flood-frequency analysis, and design-flow estimation.
• Climate-change assessment for infrastructure design.
• Model calibration, validation, uncertainty assessment, and technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of HEC-HMS and coordination with HEC-RAS, HY-8, GIS, and survey datasets.
• Strong analytical, report-writing, and multidisciplinary coordination skills.
• Ability to communicate assumptions, limitations, and design recommendations clearly in English.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or another relevant discipline.
• Membership of the Engineering Institution of Zambia/Engineers Registration Board of Zambia or a similar internationally recognized professional institution.
• 10 years of post-qualification experience in collecting, analyzing, and processing meteorological and hydrological data and developing hydrological models.
• Experience modelling climate-change effects for hydrological design on at least two projects of a similar nature.
• Experience in hydraulic modelling for two similar road projects.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tropical catchments and road-drainage projects in Zambia or Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region.
• Experience integrating hydrology with bridge, culvert, scour, geotechnical, environmental, and economic analyses.
• Experience preparing climate-resilient drainage requirements for Design-Build procurement.

Amount Of Travel Required

20% – 40%

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant’s criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No – We are not open to sponsoring for this position

Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.