Hydrologists :: Job Description

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Hydrologists

Careers / Hydrologists

Summary Description


	Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Assistant Groundwater Engineer

2.	Environmental Consultant

3.	Geologist

4.	Geophysical Laboratory Chief

5.	Geophysicist

6.	Groundwater Consultant

7.	Groundwater Programs Director

8.	Hydraulic Engineer

9.	Hydrogeologist

10.	Hydrologic Engineer

11.	Hydrologist

12.	Isotope Hydrologist

13.	Professor

14.	Research Hydrologist

15.	Seismologist

16.	Source Water Protection Specialist

17.	Surface Hydrologist

18.	Volcanologist

19.	Water Resources Program Director

Job Tasks

	Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions. Research hydrologic features or processes. Plan environmental research.

	Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information. Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.

	Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters. Research hydrologic features or processes. Record research or operational data.

	Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments, such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments. Calibrate scientific or technical equipment. Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.

	Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities. Assess compliance with environmental laws.

	Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats. Analyze environmental data.

	Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources. Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives. Communicate results of environmental research.

	Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation. Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.

	Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting. Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.

	Evaluate data and provide recommendations regarding the feasibility of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, flood warning systems, and waste treatment facilities. Evaluate civic projects or public policies.

	Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors. Collect environmental data or samples.

	Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes. Measure environmental characteristics. Record research or operational data.

	Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians. Supervise scientific or technical personnel.

	Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions. Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.

	Study and analyze the physical aspects of the earth in terms of the hydrological components, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and interior structure. Research hydrologic features or processes.

	Review applications for site plans and permits and recommend approval, denial, modification, or further investigative action. Review environmental permits, plans, or reports.

	Develop or modify methods of conducting hydrologic studies. Develop environmental research methods.

	Answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology. Provide technical information or assistance to public.

	Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters, gathering information, recommending alternatives, informing participants of progress, and preparing draft orders.

	Monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities. Direct natural resources extraction projects.

	Conduct short-term and long-term climate assessments and study storm occurrences. Conduct climatological research.

	Design civil works associated with hydrographic activities and supervise their construction, installation, and maintenance.

	Administer programs designed to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells. Direct natural resources extraction projects.

	Investigate properties, origins, and activities of glaciers, ice, snow, and permafrost. Research hydrologic features or processes.

	Compile and evaluate hydrologic information to prepare navigational charts and maps and to predict atmospheric conditions. Compile geographic or related data. Analyze geological or geographical data.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Hydrologists
	Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth's crust. They use their expertise to solve problems in the areas of water quality or availability.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Hydrologists
	Hydrologists work in offices and in the field. In offices, hydrologists spend much of their time using computers to analyze data and model their findings. In the field, hydrologists may have to wade into lakes and streams to collect samples or to read and inspect monitoring equipment.

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Danny DeVito once worked as a janitor.

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