What You'll Do

  • Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
  • Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
  • Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities.
  • Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
  • Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
  • Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.
  • Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.
  • Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
  • Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters, gathering information, recommending alternatives, informing participants of progress, and preparing draft orders.
  • Answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology.

Essential Skills

Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Reading Comprehension 3.88/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Science 3.88/5
Speaking 3.75/5
Mathematics 3.75/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.75/5
Writing 3.62/5
Active Learning 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.5/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.5/5
Systems Analysis 3.38/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Integrity, Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Initiative

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Mathematical Reasoning 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Advanced Logic Technology WellCAD Amtec Engineering Tecplot Argus ONE Open Numerical Environments Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D Autodesk Land Desktop Bentley MicroStation Bentley Systems gINT Biodegration flow and transport modeling software BOSS International Visual Groundwater C++ Carlson SurvCADD ChemStat Clover Technology GALENA Data visualization software Database software EarthSoft EQuIS Geology EarthVision Electric Rain Swift 3D

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.57/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.52/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.26/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 4.09/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Groundwater Consultant Hydraulic Engineer Hydrogeologist Hydrologic Engineer Hydrologist Isotope Hydrologist Physical Scientist Project Hydrogeologist Research Hydrologist Scientist Seismologist Source Water Protection Specialist Surface Hydrologist Volcanologist Water Resources Scientist