Hydrogeologist; Hydrogeologist ; In Training

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Staff Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In Training)

Location: Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA. Must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Assignment Pay: Top salary includes 7.5% assignment pay, which is required for licensure.

Schedule: Eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. Mondays and Wednesdays are in‑office days; other non‑field days may be teleworked. Schedules are subject to change based on position needs.

Application Timeline: Apply by May 17, 2026
. Position remains open until filled. Applications received after this date may not be considered.

In this role you will support field and office work in developing and implementing well‑coordinated monitoring programs for Central and Eastern Washington water resources, including groundwater, rivers, streams, and lakes. You will serve as field lead for the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area Land Use and Groundwater Study, characterize groundwater flow, oversee well installation, conduct field sampling, analyze data, determine land‑use management practices, write reports, and manage EIM data.

You will also manage groundwater monitoring for the Lower Yakima Valley Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Network and provide support for large soil and groundwater data sets. You will apply state‑of‑the‑art theories in designing and directing hydrological and water‑quality investigations.

• Analyze data using advanced statistical, water‑quality, and hydrologic modeling techniques and formulate and justify conclusions and recommendations.
• Report status and results of water‑quality, hydrologic, and other studies to management, staff, public, and interest groups.
• Direct and prepare technical reports and present results to scientific audiences (e.g., conferences, universities, technical advisory groups).
• Train other staff in water‑quality modeling research and investigative techniques.
• Attend and participate in professional or scientific meetings, conferences, and seminars.

Pay Range: $5,531 – $7,443 monthly.

Six years of professional experience and/or education required.

• Hydrogeology
  
  Experience:
  
  
  • Groundwater investigations, including aquifer characterization, groundwater‑flow analysis, and contaminant fate and transport.
• Technical Writing, Reporting, and Publication:
  • Authored technical reports, documented methods and decisions, and presented results to various audiences such as management, scientific audiences, the public, and interest groups.
• Data Management & Systems:
  • Hands‑on experience with environmental data management, metadata standards, and upload of datasets to systems such as the Ecology Environmental Information Management System (EIM).
• Monitoring Well Programs & Field Sampling:
  • Experience with monitoring and domestic wells and conducting groundwater field sampling (e.g., purge methods, low‑flow sampling, chain‑of‑custody, field parameters) with strict QA/QC practices.
• Education: Major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology or a closely allied field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 6 years of experience.
• 5 years of experience AND 30–59 semester or 45–89 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND 60–89 semester or 90–134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 3 years of experience AND 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree.

Pay Range: $6,565 – $8,825 monthly.

Seven years of professional experience and/or education required.

Possession of a valid Washington State Geologist and Hydrogeologist Specialty license required.

• Hydrogeology
  
  Experience:
  
  
  • Field investigations including aquifer characterization, groundwater‑flow analysis, and contaminant fate and transport.
• Technical Writing, Reporting, and Publication:
  • Proven ability to author technical reports, document methods and decisions, and present results to management and scientific audiences.
• Quality Assurance Experience (QAPPs & QA/QC):
  • Reviewing and developing Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs); written technical review comments and QA/QC practices for…