Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Geomorphologist

🎯 Role Definition

As a key member of our environmental sciences team, the Geomorphologist will be at the forefront of understanding and mitigating the impacts of natural and anthropogenic processes on landscapes. You will lead complex geomorphic assessments, from initial fieldwork and data collection to sophisticated modeling and reporting, providing critical insights for river restoration, watershed management, and hazard assessment projects. This position offers a unique opportunity to apply your scientific expertise to solve real-world environmental challenges and directly influence the design of sustainable and resilient systems. Your work will bridge the gap between scientific investigation and practical engineering, ensuring our projects are built on a solid foundation of earth science principles.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Staff Geologist / Environmental Scientist
GIS Analyst / Technician
Research Assistant / Associate

Advancement To:

Senior or Principal Geomorphologist
Project Manager (Environmental / Water Resources)
Technical Director (Earth Sciences)

Lateral Moves:

Hydrologist
Water Resources Engineer
Geospatial Data Scientist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct detailed geomorphic and hydrologic assessments of riverine, coastal, and hillslope systems to support environmental restoration and engineering design.
Lead and manage complex field data collection efforts, including topographic surveying (using GPS, Total Station, LiDAR), sediment sampling, stream gaging, and fluvial audits.
Perform comprehensive watershed-scale analyses to identify sources of impairment, sediment loading, hydraulic instability, and opportunities for restoration.
Develop and apply quantitative geomorphic analysis techniques, including sediment transport modeling, hydraulic modeling (1D/2D HEC-RAS), and channel stability assessments.
Author, edit, and provide senior review for technical reports, scientific papers, and permit applications that detail findings from geomorphic investigations and provide design recommendations.
Utilize advanced geospatial analysis (GIS) and remote sensing techniques (LiDAR, aerial imagery, drone data) to characterize landforms, map channel features, and quantify landscape change over time.
Design and oversee the implementation of river restoration, streambank stabilization, and aquatic habitat enhancement projects rooted in sound geomorphic principles.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including ecologists, hydrologists, civil engineers, and landscape architects, to develop integrated and innovative project solutions.
Interpret geological maps, soil surveys, and geotechnical data to understand subsurface conditions and their influence on surface processes and project design constraints.
Perform flood and erosion hazard assessments, including channel migration zone (CMZ) mapping and alluvial fan delineation, to inform land use planning and risk management.
Develop and manage project scopes, detailed budgets, and schedules for geomorphic assessment tasks, ensuring timely and profitable project delivery.
Provide senior technical review and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) for all geomorphology-related project deliverables to ensure technical accuracy and excellence.
Communicate complex scientific concepts and project findings effectively to clients, regulatory agencies, and public stakeholders through clear presentations and meetings.
Mentor and train junior-level staff in geomorphic theory, field data collection techniques, safety protocols, and advanced data analysis methods.
Stay current with emerging research, technologies, and best practices in the field of process-based geomorphology and apply them to enhance project work.
Analyze the potential impacts of climate change on fluvial and coastal systems, incorporating future projections into long-term management and design strategies.
Prepare and contribute to winning proposals and business development efforts by providing technical leadership and developing innovative approaches to meet client needs.
Conduct post-construction monitoring and evaluation of restoration projects to assess performance against design goals and inform adaptive management strategies.
Process, analyze, and visualize large topographic and bathymetric datasets derived from LiDAR, multibeam sonar, and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry.
Evaluate the historical and ongoing effects of infrastructure, such as dams, bridges, and levees, on channel morphology, sediment dynamics, and floodplain connectivity.
Develop detailed sediment budgets for watersheds and river reaches to quantify sediment sources, transport pathways, and depositional patterns.
Characterize paleo-fluvial conditions and historical channel adjustments using historical maps, aerial photographs, dendrochronology, and sediment core analysis.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to broad environmental datasets.
Contribute to the organization's technical development initiatives by authoring white papers or presenting at industry conferences.
Collaborate with business units to translate complex environmental challenges into actionable scientific investigation plans.
Participate in health and safety planning and oversight for remote and physically demanding fieldwork.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

High proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) for complex spatial analysis, raster processing, and cartographic production.
Demonstrated experience with 1D and 2D hydraulic and sediment transport models (e.g., HEC-RAS, SRH-2D, Delft3D).
Expertise in collecting and processing field data using survey-grade GPS/GNSS, Total Stations, ADCPs, and drone-based photogrammetry/LiDAR.
Strong quantitative and statistical analysis skills, with proficiency in data analysis software or scripting languages (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB).
Advanced ability in interpreting aerial photography, satellite imagery, and high-resolution topographic data (e.g., LiDAR, SfM) to assess landscape change.
Strong knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations (e.g., Clean Water Act, NEPA, Endangered Species Act) related to water resources and restoration.
Exceptional technical writing ability, demonstrated through a portfolio of reports, proposals, or scientific publications.
Deep familiarity with watershed assessment protocols and stream classification systems (e.g., Rosgen, Montgomery-Buffington, NHD).
Experience in developing and interpreting construction plans and specifications for in-stream and floodplain restoration projects.
Competency in field and laboratory sediment analysis, including particle size distribution (Wolman pebble counts, sieve/laser diffraction) and bedload/suspended load calculations.
Solid understanding of fundamental soil mechanics and slope stability principles as they apply to channel banks and hillslopes.

Soft Skills

Exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking abilities to address complex, non-standard environmental issues.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a talent for explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
A highly collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively and respectfully within multidisciplinary teams.
A high level of attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to technical excellence and data quality.
Personal adaptability and enthusiasm for conducting fieldwork in rugged terrain and variable weather conditions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree (B.S. or B.A.) from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree (M.S.) or Doctorate (Ph.D.) with a thesis or dissertation focused on a relevant geomorphic topic.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Geomorphology
Geology
Physical Geography
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Water Resources Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-10+ years of progressive, professional experience in applied geomorphology or a closely related discipline.

Preferred:

Experience in a fast-paced environmental consulting or engineering firm setting is highly desirable.
Professional Geologist (PG), Professional Hydrologist (PH), or similar licensure/certification is a significant plus.