Hydrogeologist; Hydrogeologist ; In-Training); Internal

This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Staff Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist
2) (In-Training) within the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP).

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.

• This position requires field work and office work

• You may telework most of your office work time with in-person meetings and activities one day per week.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 4, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this position, under the guidance of a licensed hydrogeologist, you will conduct groundwater monitoring, collect and analyze hydrogeologic data, and support Water Resources grant recipients that submit environmental data to Ecology. You will work closely with Water Resources Program staff to implement a water-level monitoring network and ensure that all grant-funded groundwater data is accurately processed and recorded in Ecology’s Environmental Information Management (EIM) database.

Key tasks include collecting, processing, QA-checking, and uploading both manual and continuous groundwater measurements; resolving data quality or metadata issues; and serving as a point of contact for EIM questions from staff and grantees. You will also provide field support for ongoing groundwater monitoring efforts and may conduct smaller hydrogeologic studies as needed. This position, based in the Environmental Assessment Program’s Statewide Coordination Section, offers broad field experience across Washington’s varied landscapes.

What you will do:

• Collect, process, QA-check, and upload both manual and continuous groundwater measurements into Ecology’s Environmental Information Management (EIM) database.
• Coordinate with Water Resources Program staff and grantees to manage groundwater data submittals, resolve data quality issues, and support consistent data entry.
• Conduct groundwater monitoring projects, including planning field logistics, collecting water-level and water-quality data, and maintaining field equipment.
• Assist in designing and performing hydrogeologic studies, including preparing Quality Assurance Project Plans, conducting aquifer tests, and analyzing hydrogeologic data.
• Operate field instruments such as pressure transducers, water-quality meters, and data loggers.
• Prepare maps, figures, graphs, and written documentation to communicate study methods and findings.
• Represent Water Resources Program interests in EIM user-group activities and help deliver groundwater-specific EIM training to data submitters.

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Hydrogeologist 1 or 2 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the HG 1 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become an HG 2 within a specified time period.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

At the Hydrogeologist 1 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 52, $4,866 - $6,542 monthly

5 years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Communication and Collaboration Skills – Ability to share information clearly and professionally to help others understand technical work and project…