Hydrologist -35202

The Department of Natural Resource and Conservation

Water Sciences Bureau

The Department is recruiting a Hydrologist. The successful applicant will have experience with hydrologic modeling, including collecting/acquiring input datasets, building surface or groundwater models, and model calibration. This position will serve as a hydrology and climate expert for the Water Resources Division. Primary duties will include running watershed-scale hydrology models, determining standard operating procedures for the development and use of models within the Division, and designing water resource studies that improve the accuracy of modeled data products. Secondary duties will include collection of field data used in various models and assisting with technical aspects of other ongoing projects within the Water Sciences Bureau. This position offers significant flexibility and autonomy while working within a fun and collaborative team environment. We want you to succeed, enjoy your career, and we will work hard to support your professional growth while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

This is a new position and not an existing vacancy. In addition to the advertised starting salary, The Montana Legislature has recently passed the FY2024-2025 State Pay Plan that includes a raise of $1.50/hr on July 1, 2023 and another $1.50/hr on July 1, 2024.  This position is also eligible for non-competitive career advancement.

Please contact HR at krichetti@mt.gov for a full job description.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover Letter explaining how your education, work experience and your own personal career goals make you a good fit for this position.
• Resume List of 3 References that can speak about your relevant skills and experiences.
• References can be included in your resume.

TIP: When attaching your resume and other material, you must mark the attachments as "relevant".

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Expertise in the principles, theories, and methods of hydrology, hydrogeology, geology, geomorphology, integrated remote sensing, meteorology, geospatial analysis, and/or surface/groundwater modeling.
• Experience with application, scientific or database programming (e.g., Python, R, Visual Basic, Fortran, C , C#, SQL, JavaScript, or any other applicable language).  
• Experience with hydrologic field methodologies and use of appropriate instrumentation for water measurement.  Knowledge of methods for conducting hydrologic investigations, including techniques and methods for analyzing data, developing hydrologic models, and reporting findings.
• Knowledge of irrigation system design and practices common to Montana including sprinkler and flood irrigation systems.  Knowledge of data management, GIS software (ArcGIS or open-source), spatial data analysis and visualization.  

Education Requirement:

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to Hydrology, Earth Science, Geology, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or Water Resources, is required. A master's degree in one of the above fields is preferred.
• Minimum of one year of pertinent, progressively responsible job-related experience in hydrology or hydrologic modeling. Education and experience equivalent and comparable to that specified above may meet job requirements and would be considered on an individual basis.

Working Conditions: The position is based in Helena, Montana and approximately 75% of the work occurs in a normal office setting. Travel for field work, meetings, and trainings is required. The position requires the ability to walk over rough and steep terrain to carry field equipment to data collection sites. The hydrologist must be able to work outdoors during bad weather and around swift water. The hydrologist must rely on experience and judgement as to what safety precautions are prudent. The hydrologist must have good, driving skills required for both on-road and off-road travel and during times of inclement weather.

Special Information: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

Eligibility to Work:In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver's license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".