Hydrogeologist

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Hydrogeologist 1 within the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP).

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Must live within a commutable distance from the duty station upon hire.

• Eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• Combination of field work and office work: telework most office work time with occasional in‑person meetings and activities.
• Schedules depend on position needs and may change.

• Apply by June 14, 2026.
• Applications submitted after the date may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this role, you will experience a compelling mix of fieldwork, data analysis, and scientific investigation. You will work in rivers, lakes, and stream systems as well as in office and laboratory settings, collecting and interpreting data that help the state understand changing water quality and hydrologic conditions. You will operate in fast‑paced environments where you manage multiple monitoring efforts at once, requiring organization, quick adaptation, and attention to detail.

You will be challenged intellectually as you work with complex environmental datasets, apply statistical and computational tools, support water‑quality and hydrologic modeling, and interpret scientific information to explain environmental patterns and trends. You will use advanced tools and technologies such as water‑quality meters, data loggers, GIS mapping software, and autonomous survey vessels. You will continue building your scientific knowledge through ongoing training, professional conferences, and engagement with current hydrogeologic literature.

• Collect freshwater and marine water samples for water quality, hydrologic, and ecological data following established field procedures and quality‑assurance requirements.
• Operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot field instruments and sampling equipment to support accurate and reliable data collection.
• Compile, process, and analyze hydrologic, meteorological, and water quality datasets, using tools such as R, Python, MATLAB, or GIS to support scientific assessments and modeling.
• Support water‑quality and TMDL modeling efforts by preparing datasets, reviewing model output, and assisting with data visualization and interpretation.
• Prepare clear technical documentation, including field notes, reports, data summaries, and figures, and communicate results through written and oral presentations.
• Manage field logistics, including pre‑sampling notifications, bottle orders, sample submission forms, and coordination with laboratory staff.
• Load, review, and maintain environmental data in agency databases to ensure accuracy, completeness, and accessibility.
• Participate in multiple monitoring or research projects, supporting study design, implementation, quality assurance, and reporting activities.

• Five (5) years of experience and/or education as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, watershed or marine water modeling technical support, or closely allied profession.
• Demonstrated competence in field data collection; safely collecting accurate water quality and hydrologic data in the field, following QA plans.
• Compiling, processing, and analyzing environmental data to support scientific conclusions.
• Developing, modifying, and running scripts for processing model input data and analytical and mapping purposes; proficiency in R, Python, and/or MATLAB, GIS, or similar software.
• Operating, calibrating, and maintaining field instruments and sampling tools; proficiency with boats and uncrewed autonomous vessels in rivers and lakes.
• Clear communication of information, findings, and scientific concepts in writing and presentations.
• Time and workload management: planning, prioritizing, and organizing tasks to meet field schedules, project timelines, and reporting deadlines.
• Required:
  
  must be proficient in at least one scripting language: R, Python, or MATLAB.

Proficiency in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field.

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30‑59…