Hydrogeologist (mid-level career)

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Hydrogeologist – Advance Your Career in Groundwater Science

We’re seeking an experienced hydrogeologist ready to expand their impact in groundwater investigations, groundwater development, and well design. This role is ideal for professionals who want to deepen their technical expertise while advancing their level of client interactions and project responsibilities.

You’ll support and lead work across diverse project sites throughout the western US, including rural locations, with extended field rotations that involve drilling, pumping, and site‑scale hydrogeologic evaluations. Comfort working around drill and pump rigs, adapting to extended schedules, and maintaining strong safety awareness is essential. A significant portion of your time will also be spent in the office performing data analysis, preparing technical documentation, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

If you’re motivated to grow your career through hands‑on field work, technical development, and increasing professional responsibility, we encourage you to apply.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Proficient
• Market Sector Software (AQTESOLV) - Proficient
• ArcGIS -Basic

Technical Expertise

• Recordkeeping and basic office practices
• Techniques for data collection, evaluation, and inventory management
• Proficient with database computer programs
• Strong technical writing skills: provide concise descriptions of water rights history and associated projects for submission to the State right and as part of Water Resource planning documents
• Proficient understanding of specific surveying and geophysical services
• Performs moderately complex tasks independently
• Effectively divides projects into individual tasks
• Leads small, projects with simple objectives
• Conducts quality control of basic deliverables

Teamwork

Team player, able to follow on large, complex projects and lead a small team on simple tasks, anticipates the needs of other technical disciplines and takes responsibility for their results.

Project Delivery

Produces the following under moderate direction/oversight from others in the office:

• Project preparation, execution and reporting for field groundwater studies in support of groundwater supply and well rehabilitation/investigation projects;
• Assisting the preparation of a variety of plans and specifications related to hydrogeological field activities;
• Performing field inspections (geologic borehole logging including the use of the USCS classification and assisting in well designs);
• Overseeing construction projects:
  • Monitoring of wells, productions wells, and aquifer storage and recovery wells;
  • Conducting well performance and aquifer testing;
  • Collecting water samples, oversee well rehabilitation and troubleshooting;
  • Analyzing complex data (identify data anomalies, interpreting data, creating representative graphs, contour data, and evaluate aquifer test data)
• Preparing a variety of reports (work plans, well construction summaries, tables, maps, graphs, as-built and cross-sectional drawings).

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet scope, schedule, and budget expectations on projects. Assists with the scoping, planning, and budget creation on more complex tasks.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Proficiently selects from and employs the following design codes:

• AWWA (water)
• Local Codes and Best Practices

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients to resolve technical issues on simple projects. Understands appropriate messaging.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs moderate to advanced levels of technical work on larger and more complex projects as assigned by the market sector. Operates with a moderate level of autonomy. May assist with some project management tasks.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in hydrogeology. Degree in geological sciences or engineering with course work specific to hydrogeology will be also considered, required
• Years of experience required: 6 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• GIT (as applicable) or PE
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to create and interpret graphs and understand statistical analysis.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Able to cut brush using chain saw or machete. Able to dig with shovel or digging bars, use a jack hammer and sledgehammer, and drive in stakes and rebar (monuments). Able to walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice. Able to routinely lift and carry between 30 and 50 pounds. May need to work at remote sites.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.

In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud due to the proximity to construction sites and related equipment.

In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.