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

  • Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
  • Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
  • Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
  • Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
  • Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
  • Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
  • Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.
  • Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
  • Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments.
  • Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
  • Study and analyze the physical aspects of the earth in terms of hydrological components, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and interior structure.
  • Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting.
  • Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.
  • Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities.
  • 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.
  • Develop or modify methods for conducting hydrologic studies.
  • Review applications for site plans and permits and recommend approval, denial, modification, or further investigative action.
  • Monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities.
  • Answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology.
  • Investigate properties, origins, and activities of glaciers, ice, snow, and permafrost.
  • Conduct short- and long-term climate assessments and study storm occurrences.
  • Administer programs designed to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
  • Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters, gathering information, recommending alternatives, informing participants of progress, and preparing draft orders.
  • Design civil works associated with hydrographic activities and supervise their construction, installation, and maintenance.
  • Compile and evaluate hydrologic information to prepare navigational charts and maps and to predict atmospheric conditions.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 55% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 53% responded "Once a week or more but not every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 44% responded "Extremely important".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 41% responded "Very important".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 60% responded "Some freedom".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 69% responded "Some freedom".
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Work Activities
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Research hydrologic features or processes.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
  • Assess compliance with environmental laws.
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Knowledge

Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics
  • Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
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Skills

Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science
  • Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Scientific Software GroupWHI UnSAT Suite
  • Scientific Software Group RiverMorph
  • SoilVision Systems SVOFFICE
  • Structure query language SQL
  • Trimble TerraSync
  • Waters eLab Notebook
  • Scientific Software Group Enviro-Base Pro
  • GIS/Solutions GIS/Key
  • Groundwater Software Visual Site Manager
  • Database software
  • EarthSoft EQuIS Geology
  • Satellite database software
  • Scientific Software Group ChemGraph
  • Scientific Software Group ChemPoint/ChemStat
  • River Lake Altimetry Product
Analytical or scientific software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology
  • Scientific Software Group OILVOL
  • Scientific Software Group MT3D99
  • Scientific Software Group POLLUTE
  • Scientific Software Group QHM
  • Scientific Software Group QuickSoil
  • Scientific Software Group RISC WorkBench
  • Scientific Software Group EnviroScape
  • Scientific Software Group MS-VMS
  • Scientific Software Group MOVER
  • Scientific Software Group FEFLOW
  • Scientific Software Group Infinite Extent
  • Scientific Software Group MARS 2-D/3-D
  • Scientific Software Group MIDUSS
  • Scientific Software Group HydroGeo Analyst
  • Scientific Software Group GFLOW
  • Scientific Software Group MINTEQA2
  • Scientific Software Group MOCDENSE
  • Scientific Software Group MODFLOWT
  • Scientific Software Group MODPUMP
  • Scientific Software Group MODRET
  • Scientific Software Group MOFAT
  • Scientific Software Group Filter Drain FD
  • Scientific Software Group MIGRATE
  • Scientific Software Group MohrView
  • Scientific Software Group HYDROGEOCHEM
  • Starpint Software Super Slug
  • Surface water modeling system SMS software
  • Vieux & Associates Vflow
  • Visual MODFLOW Pro
  • Waterloo Hydrogeologic AquaChem
  • Waterloo Hydrogeologic AquiferTest Pro
  • Waterloo Hydrogeologic RBC Tier 2 Analyzer
  • Watershed modeling system WMS software
  • SoilVision Systems SVGrainsize
  • Scientific Software Group SEQUENCE
  • Scientific Software Group SESOIL
  • Scientific Software Group SLAEM/MLAEM
  • Scientific Software Group Soil Vapor Extraction BioSVE
  • Scientific Software Group SOILPARA
  • Scientific Software Group SOLUTRANS
  • Scientific Software Group StepMaster
  • Scientific Software Group SVFlux
  • Scientific Software Group SVHeat
  • Scientific Software Group TUFLOW
  • Scientific Software Group VAM2D
  • Scientific Software Group WinFlow
  • Scientific Software Group WinTran
  • Scientific Software GroupWinFence
  • Golden Software Strater
  • Groundwater modeling system GMS
  • Groundwater Software QuickCross/Fence
  • Groundwater Software QuickLog
  • Groundwater Vistas
  • Formlink HydroGEN
  • Fitts Geosolutions TWODAN
  • Argus ONE Open Numerical Environments
  • Bentley Systems gINT
  • Biodegration flow and transport modeling software
  • Clover Technology GALENA
  • Data visualization software
  • EarthVision
  • Electric Rain Swift 3D
  • EnviroData Solutions
  • Environmental Software and Services SUTRA
  • HEC RAS
  • HEC-1
  • HEC-2
  • Scientific Software Group AQUA3D
  • Scientific Software Group AquaDyn
  • Scientific Software Group AQUASEA
  • Scientific Software Group Aquifer win32
  • Scientific Software Group AQUIPACK
  • Scientific Software Group AT123D
  • Scientific Software Group BIO1D
  • Scientific Software Group BIOF&T
  • Scientific Software Group BIOSLURP
  • Scientific Software Group BioTrends
  • Scientific Software Group CHASM
  • RockWare RockWorks
  • Hydrologic simulation program fortan HSPF software
  • HydroSOLVE AQTESOLV
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Logger data manager LDM
  • Logplot software
  • MLPU
  • Parameter Estimation PEST
  • PRINCE
  • Revised universal soil loss equation RUSLE software
  • RockWare ChemFlux
  • RockWare Geochemist's Workbench GWB
  • RockWare MODFLOW
Map creation software
  • ESRI ArcGIS software Hot Technology
  • Geographic information system GIS software Hot Technology
  • Trimble Pathfinder Office
  • Softree Technical Systems Terrain Tools
  • Scientific Software Group RMT
  • Scientific Software Group SURF
  • Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
  • Golden Software Surfer
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Scientific Software Group DTM
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