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Working Title: Surface Water Hydrologist

Job Class: Hydrologist 2

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID** : 88462

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes, hybrid up to 50%

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Unlimited

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted** : 9/30/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 10/20/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Department of Natural Resources

+ **Division/Unit** : Ecological and Water Resources

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift

+ **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : Yes

+ **Salary Range:** $29.78 - $43.82 / hourly; $62,180 - $91,496 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Classified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE

+ **FLSA Status** : Exempt - Professional

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This posting is intended to advertise for two vacancies.

These positions exist to provide expertise on hydropower and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues and proceedings in Minnesota; promote the State and Federal Dam Safety Program inside and outside the DNR (especially as it relates to Emergency Action Plans); provide expertise on hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, especially as it relates to dams; inspect dams; ensure dam owners are in compliance with permit requirements and dam safety regulations; assist with environmental reviews of dam; coordinate outreach, information development, and education efforts for the Dam Safety Program; and provide expertise on Dam Safety and hydropower issues as they relate to sound watershed decisions on a state-wide basis.

Responsibilities include:

+ To provide expertise on hydropower and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issues and proceedings so that Division surface water management goals and priorities are met.

+ To provide expertise on FEMA Dam Safety and grant priorities, ensuring that Divisional goals and priorities are met. To develop, review, and provide oversight on hydrologic, hydraulic, and dam break models, inundation maps, and Emergency Action Plans to define the land area and any residences that would be flooded by various rainfall and dam break events.

+ To inspect and assess the condition of dams.

+ To review permit applications and to monitor permittee compliance with Dam Safety permit special provisions to ensure that permit-required conditions have been met and documented.

+ To assist with projects as assigned so that section priorities are met.

+ To collect, organize, and manage data on dams.

This position may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.

Overnight travel of one or two nights four to six times per year is needed to conduct dam inspections that are a long drive from Saint Paul.

Minimum Qualifications

Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review after the posting close date.

+ Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, agricultural engineering, environmental engineering, geological engineering, hydrology, forest hydrology, geography, geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, natural resources, environmental studies, soil science, water resources management, hydraulics, environmental science, earth science, or related major.

Transcript requirement:

+ Three hydrology qualifying courses in the areas of: hydrology, hydraulics, hydrogeology/groundwater hydrology, water resources engineering, hydrologic modeling, watershed management, groundwater, fluid mechanics, fluvial geomorphology, OR

+ Two hydrology qualifying courses and two courses in: geology, geomorphology, geochemistry, geography, limnology, erosion and sediment control, environmental engineering, soils.

Additional qualifications:

+ 2 years of professional experience in surface water or groundwater hydrology, soil and water resource management, water planning or regulation, or related technical or regulatory work. An advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in the appropriate major (see education requirements) may substitute for 1 year of experience.

+ Hydrologic and hydraulic knowledge sufficient to understand rainfall runoff and surface water flow in rivers.

+ Organizational skills to manage both data and work assignments.

+ Proficiency in software use including HEC-RAS, database, spreadsheet, and desktop publishing applications to compile, analyze, and present hydrologic and hydraulic data.

+ Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

+ Ability to communicate and work effectively as a team member and consistently conduct oneself in a cooperative and courteous manner.

Preferred Qualifications

+ An advanced degree in any of the disciplines listed above.

+ Possess a license or the educational requirements for licensure as a Professional Engineer in Minnesota.

+ Three or more years of professional experience in surface water or groundwater hydrology, soil and water resource management, water planning or regulation, or related technical or regulatory work.

+ Experience in non-HEC hydraulic models.

+ Experience observing construction and inspecting structures.

+ Successful participation of the State of Minnesota Star of the North Fellowship program.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

+ Conflict of Interest Review

+ Criminal History Check

+ Education Verification

+ Employment Reference / Records Check

+ License / Certification Verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.