LTE Water Use Hydrogeologist; Madison

We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

The Wisconsin DNR is hiring a Limited Term Employee (LTE) Water Use Hydrogeologist – Senior at our offices, in Madison, WI.

This position is responsible for providing professional geologic, hydrogeologic, and data analysis expertise in carrying out the Water Use Section’s program responsibilities. The person in this position functions as part of a statewide team and is responsible for implementing the high capacity well portion of the state water quantity management program. This position provides hydrogeologic expertise and is responsible for technical analysis of high capacity well applications to assess for impacts.

This position is responsible for gathering, processing, and interpreting large data sources to support the program’s groundwater quantity projects and disseminating that information to the Water Use Section and the public. This work involves the application of hydrogeological, water resources, well construction, technical program knowledge, and interpretation and application of state statutes, administrative codes and DNR policies and procedures. The person in this position deals on a routine and continuous basis with hydrogeological issues that require interpretation, judgement and have a major impact on department actions and future decisions.

This position is under general supervision of the Water Use Section Manager located in the Central Office in Madison. This position is non-supervisory.

60% – Provide hydrogeologic expertise in interpreting water quantity related impacts of high capacity wells.

• Evaluate, analyze, interpret, and document site‑specific information associated with high capacity well reviews including geological and hydrogeological interpretation, groundwater quality data, status of other wells on applicant’s property and property’s historical withdrawal data.
• Using appropriate analytical and numerical tools and data, evaluate and document technical reviews of high capacity well applications to assess high capacity well impacts and the complex interactions with wells and surface water resources.
• Use and develop appropriate tools to evaluate the status of groundwater resources and potential impacts because of proposed and existing groundwater withdrawals.

20% – Water Quantity Monitoring Data Collection, Management, and Analysis

• Support the statewide collection of water quantity data at springs, streams, lakes, and wells, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Maintain and organize field data to meet department standards.

20% – GIS & Data Management Support

• Development and oversight of GIS tools to support the organization, visualization, and analysis of water use data.
• Evaluating data using a variety of techniques: geostatistics, statistics, or time‑series analysis.
• Use geospatial data and tools for spatial analysis and mapping of water resources, including water withdrawal reporting across the state.
• Aggregate, organize, QA/QC, and document internal hydrologic and geological datasets.
• Access and review external datasets from sources such as hydrological databases, climate records, satellite imagery, and sensor data; provide access to those datasets to other members of the Water Use team as needed.
• Integrate environmental and land use data with water use records to enhance decision‑making.
• Georeference and digitize existing data products.

This position pays between $27.68 – $30.00 per hour and is in the Hydrogeologist-Senior classification in pay schedule and range 15‑03. Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees.

• Offer a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the Wisconsin…