Hydrogeologist

The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Hydrogeologist 4 within the Nuclear Waste Program
.

• Richland Field Office in Richland, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

• The salary listed includes 7.5% assignment pay due to the required licensure.

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time, with at least one in-office day every other week and occasional fieldwork to observe sampling or drilling activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by June 21, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this role, you will provide expert guidance on groundwater and vadose zone conditions that directly inform cleanup and regulatory decisions for the Hanford Tank Farms. You’ll analyze subsurface data, evaluate contaminant fate and transport modeling, and advise on remediation strategies that protect human health and the environment. You will also serve as the program’s technical authority on leak evaluations, groundwater impacts, and the scientific foundation behind cleanup actions.

This position offers the opportunity to work on some of the most complex hydrogeologic challenges in the country, with direct influence on long‑term environmental outcomes. You’ll engage in technical reviews, collaborate with federal partners, shape cleanup plans, and support milestone negotiations. This role also allows you to deepen your expertise in large‑scale remediation and regulatory oversight while serving as a trusted technical resource and contributing to meaningful, technically complex work that will have a lasting impact on the environment and public health.

• Evaluate U.S. Department of Energy and contractor determinations of past and present single‑shell tank (SST) leaks.
• Review Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facility investigations, scientific studies, remediation plans, sampling plans and data, and other compliance documents related to groundwater, vadose zone, and surface water contamination and cleanup at the Hanford Site.
• Develop hydrogeologic recommendations for project managers, the senior groundwater specialist, other site‑wide specialists, and section managers.
• Evaluate permit requests for groundwater wells and groundwater monitoring.
• Review engineering reports and annual RCRA and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) site‑wide groundwater reports.
• Work collaboratively with chemists, engineers, toxicologists, and regulatory specialists to support environmental remediation that protects human health and the environment.
• Review and interpret vadose zone and groundwater fate‑and‑transport modeling to inform cleanup and closure planning for the SST farms.
• Plan, organize, and lead regulatory aspects of hydrogeologic investigations of subsurface conditions.

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

Possession of a Washington State Geologist license and a Washington State Hydrogeologist specialty license.

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skillsets:

• Hydrogeologist Knowledge – Advanced understanding of physical and natural sciences to evaluate vadose zone, groundwater and surface water quality, quantity, and basin‑wide management.
• Data Analysis – Ability to interpret complex monitoring data to assess trends, risks, and compliance. Experience in using technical tools to support assessment and long‑term resource planning.
• Critical Thinking – Ability to interpret and apply the Water Code, Ground Water Quality Standards, Dangerous Waste…