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Hydrologist, Staff/Technical

Posting Begin Date: 2025/05/23

Posting End Date: 2025/06/08

Category: Natural Resources

Sub Category: Water Agency

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 30.02

Maximum Salary: 33.79

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

A STATE OF IDAHO OPPORTUNITY

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

Important Guidelines: Applicant resumes must demonstrate how they meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS listed in the job announcement.

Selection Process:Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this announcement. A select number of candidates who have demonstrated that they meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position and have the most relevant qualifications may be given the opportunity to be interviewed.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) may conduct verification of the information provided in your application, including validation of driver's license status, education, employment, and criminal history. Omission and/or falsification of information provided in your application will result in your removal from consideration for employment, appointment, or promotion.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) is offering an exciting opportunity for an individual to impact water management in Idaho. The position is in the Hydrology Section and is based at the state office in Boise, Idaho. It is open to hydrologists who have knowledge of principles, theories, and practices pertaining to surface and groundwater hydrology.

The selected individual will work with a team responsible for implementing the State of Idaho's water resource programs and initiatives on behalf of IDWR. At IDWR, employees enjoy autonomy, work-life balance, periodic field work, and a professional yet relaxed environment.

There are two levels for this job opening: Hydrologist, Staff and Hydrologist, Technical. Through on-the-job training, classroom training, and achievement of team and agency goals, Staff Hydrologists have opportunities to progress to the Technical Hydrologist level within the Hydrologist career track. Technical Hydrologists are expected to handle more challenging projects with minimal supervision.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Staff

• Collect, manage, and analyze hydrologic data.

• Conduct hydrologic studies and evaluations related to basin or source-specific water supply and demand, and related administration.

• Review and analyze technical hydrologic reports associated with the allocation and administration of water resources.

• Support watermasters and water districts to ensure proper distribution of water.

• Measure water flow rates, volumes, and levels.

• Evaluate water distribution and measurement methods.

Technical

• Review and analyze technical hydrologic reports associated with the allocation and administration of water resources and apply specialized knowledge of hydrologic principles and practices.

• Plan and implement hydrologic studies and evaluations related to basin or source-specific water supply and demand, and related administration.

• Provide guidance and supervision to watermasters and water districts, ensuring the proper distribution of water resources.

• Mentor and train staff in standard techniques for measuring water flow rates, volumes, and levels.

• Coordinate data collection and management processes; perform related analysis of complex hydrologic data sets.

• Supervise and assign tasks to other staff members as necessary.

STAFF HYDROLOGIST LEVEL

Minimum Qualifications:

Good knowledge of:

+ Principles, theories, and practices of hydrology including those pertaining to surface water flow, climate, evapotranspiration, water yield, and surface-ground water relationships.

+ Applied statistics related to hydrology.

Experience:

+ Collecting and analyzing data to evaluate river basin water supply, use, and flow

Typically gained by a college degree in a physical science such as hydrology, hydrogeology, geology, water resources, environmental science, geophysics, soils, or engineering AND either successful completion of at least two, one-semester college courses in hydrology or hydrogeology or at least one year of directly related experience in hydrology or hydrogeology.

Desired qualifications and experience:

• Knowledge of water resource management.

• Experience in natural resource-related data collection, management, and analysis.

• Experience with computer applications, programming (i.e. C, Visual Basic, R, or Python), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

• Knowledge of measuring and monitoring water flows in open or closed conduits.

• Knowledge of developing water resource studies and plans involving water supply and use.

TECHNICAL HYDROLOGIST LEVEL

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:

+ Coordinating and overseeing statewide and/or regional operations and/or programs in one of the following hydrologic specialties: (1) ground water modeling and analysis; (2) water supply, surface runoff and flood flow prediction; (3) river and reservoir system modeling and regulation; (4) water right regulation and water supply allocation; or (5) surface water quality modeling

+ Evaluating hydrologic projects, reviewing hydrologic analyses and making decisions relative to their merit

Typically gained by at least four years of full-time work experience as a hydrologist. A master's degree in a related field such as hydrology, geology, geosciences, or engineering can qualify for one year of additional experience. A Ph.D. in one of the related fields can qualify for two years of experience.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience applying principles and practices pertaining to surface and groundwater hydrology.

• Experience using analytical techniques, including computer programs and statistical methods, in developing river basin evaluations and forecasts using stream flow, diversion, snow survey, precipitation, and reservoir storage data.

• Experience managing projects or programs to collect, retain, and analyze natural resource data.

• Experience with computer applications, programming (i.e. C, Visual Basic, R, or Python), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

• Knowledge of water resource management.

• Experience applying state and federal laws and regulations to allocate surface water to various uses such as irrigation, hydropower, municipal and industrial, recreation, and aquatic life.

• Experience coordinating and overseeing statewide or regional programs to manage and allocate available water supplies.

• Experience participating in public and professional meetings or conferences.

• Experience responding to inquiries from the public and media regarding water supply.

• Experience testifying in administrative hearings or a legal proceeding.

Benefits

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

To learn more about the Idaho Department of Water Resources, please visit our website: https://idwr.idaho.gov.

Our Mission: To serve the citizens of Idaho by ensuring that water is conserved and available to sustain Idaho's economy, ecosystems, and resulting quality of life.

EEO/ADA/Veteran

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.