Job Summary

Do you want to work for an exciting startup company at the cutting edge of hydrologic and hydraulic modelling? Heron Hydrologic Ltd. may be the right place for you!

We are a small consulting company that specializes in hydrologic and hydraulic modelling. We take on projects for clients, develop software, write data analysis scripts, deliver training courses to professionals, and are in the process of developing a novel floodplain mapping software called Blackbird. Our company incorporated in 2022 and is led by a University of Waterloo environmental engineering alumni and current grad student, as well as two UW professors. We bring the best of academia into practice, and this is a chance for you to work alongside the experts. You can learn more about our company at heronhydrologic.ca. This is a great opportunity for a motivated senior co-op student to have a dynamic term and gain relevant industry experience in a short period of time.

Heron Hydrologic Ltd. is committed to fostering a work environment that prioritizes Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) in all aspects of the business. Heron recognizes the importance of diversity in driving innovation, productivity, and excellence, and strives to integrate these values into our company culture and practices.

Job Responsibilities

In this role, you will work directly under the supervision and mentorship of co-founder and President Robert Chlumsky, licensed Professional Engineer and recent PhD graduate from the University of Waterloo. You will support the company in testing and deploying Blackbird software, as well as support other projects and initiatives.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Building hydrologic and hydraulic models;
  • Developing test cases and bug reports for Blackbird software;
  • Liaison with clients in meetings and emails, including meeting with professionals to understand their floodplain mapping workflows and opportunities;
  • Support professional training courses in preparation and delivery;
  • Assist in preparing reports and other deliverables;
  • Other duties as needed in our small, dynamic team.

Skill Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following soft skills:

  • Self-motivated and able to solve problems independently;
  • Able to speak confidently with professionals in the industry;
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills;
  • Organized and detail-oriented

The ideal candidate will also have experience with some or all of the following skills:

  • Building hydrologic models, especially with the hydrologic modelling framework Raven;
  • Building hydraulic models, such as 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional models with HEC-RAS;
  • Geospatial analysis with GIS software;
  • Data analysis with scripting languages, such as R or Python;
  • Code development software and best practices, such as experience using Github;
  • Web development and user interface experience;
  • Experience in environmental projects broadly, including field work, environmental assessments, engineering design, etc.;
  • Preparing technical reports and presentations.

Compensation and Benefits

Our work culture promotes independence and flexibility to maximize productivity and work satisfaction. Baseline hours are 9-5 but hours can shift based on a preferred schedule. The job will be fully remote, but with opportunities for in-person meetup and mentoring in the Kitchener-Waterloo area if convenient. The role will provide a unique opportunity for one-on-one work alongside and mentoring from the President of the company. In addition, you will have a unique training experience, building up specialized skills at the edge of hydrologic/hydraulic modelling practice that will set you apart from others with your level of experience.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply to the SWILP program through ECO Canada.

Please reach out to us directly with a resume and reference this position in your email. We ask applicants to mention whether they have applied to the SWILP program through ECO Canada in their cover letter or email.

If you are a University of Waterloo co-op student, you may apply by contacting us directly or by going through Waterloo Works.

Note that this description is generic for an engineering position with Heron Hydrologic. Please check our Careers page for active postings!