Temporary Hydrologist​/Hydrographer

Temporary Hydrologic Field Technician

This is a temporary position paying $25.00 with employment anticipated from 09/15/2026 to 06/14/2027. The mission of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources is to develop, preserve, and enhance the state's natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future citizens and visitors. In an effort to build diversity and inclusion, we welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

This position will conduct fieldwork, technical hydrologic analyses, data entry, and content creation designed to support the Instream Flow and Natural Lake Level Program. A successful applicant will be able to work independently or with staff in the field or in the office as determined by the goals and objectives outlined by staff.

Duties include:

• Hydrologic investigations, analyses, and field work:
  Duties involve travel to field sites across the state individually or with other staff to make stream flow measurements and document stream conditions. This may also include working with other staff to survey channel topography, water surface slopes, and other measures as necessary.
• The field work component may require several days in the field each week.
• Hydrologic analysis can include general quality control of collected field data, working with Aquarius to assist in developing gage ratings, and working with publicly available stream gage data to support staff objectives.

Preparation of materials for CWCB meetings including memos, graphs, maps, tables, and PowerPoint presentations:

• Assist in creating and revising documents to support Board processes which can include PowerPoint presentations, memos to the board, and supporting tables and graphics.
• Use of GIS and mapping software to create maps.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills are essential for this position.

Document filing and storage; database entry and storage:

• Applicant will become familiar with use of State document filing and storage systems.
• Laserfiche and manage document entry with pertinent information associated with each document to be easily searchable by state constituents.
• Applicant will be trained on use of an Instream Flow database. Applicant will be provided and applicant will be tasked with maintaining new or updated stream related data.
• Creation of content for CWCB website which may include text, tables, graphs, ESRI story maps, etc.

Minimum qualifications, substitutions, conditions of employment, and appeal rights:

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must have a valid Colorado drivers' license or reliable transportation.
• Possess strong interpersonal communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and work within a team.
• Computer experience is helpful (MS Office Suite, Google App Suite).
• Experience working with the public.
• Hours:
  
  Up to 40 hours per week.
• Willing to work outside which may involve inclement weather.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly during the course of a single workday.

Preferred qualifications:

• Stream measurements competencies OR knowledge of stream measurement techniques and equipment.
• Working knowledge of Esri Arc Pro GIS software.
• Knowledge of hydrologic modeling software.
• Knowledge of Colorado's water rights system.
• An ability to think critically about complicated stream systems.

Physical requirements:

This position may perform physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping and handling materials. This position may also perform repetitive actions related to data entry and filing.

Work context:

A significant portion of this work is field based which requires travel throughout the state to sometimes remote locations. Applicants must be comfortable driving in all conditions and performing this work independently after training. This position may perform work outdoors that may include exposure to inclement weather, heat, cold, rain, etc. Walking or hiking may be required when accessing roadless or remote areas.

Standing is common in the field. Almost every field related activity requires using your hands to handle, control or feel objects, tools or controls. Bites, minor cuts and stings are a regular occurrence when working outdoors. May be exposed to weed killing chemicals. This position may also perform work indoors that may include repetitive motions, long periods of standing or sitting and possible exposure to cleaning chemicals.