Staff Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In Training)

Staff Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In Training)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Staff Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In Training) within the Environmental Assessment Program. Location: Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Assignment Pay: The top salary listed above includes 7.5% assignment pay due to the required licensure.

Schedule: This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. This position requires field work. Mondays and Wednesdays are in office days, other days that do not involve field work can be teleworked. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: Apply by May 28, 2026. This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

In this role, you will provide field and office support in developing and implementing scientifically credible, well-coordinated monitoring programs designed to meet multiple agency objectives involving the management and regulation of Central and Eastern Washington water resources, including groundwater, rivers, streams, and lakes. This position serves as field lead for the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area Land Use and Groundwater Study efforts, characterizing groundwater flow, overseeing installation of monitoring wells, conducting field sampling, analyzing the resulting data, determining effective land use management practices, report writing, and Environmental Information Management System (EIM) data management. You will also manage groundwater monitoring for the Lower Yakima Valley Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Network, including conducting field sampling, analyzing the resulting data, report writing and EIM data management. You will provide support for analyzing large datasets associated with soil and groundwater sampling. You will also apply state-of-the-art theories and practices in designing and directing hydrological and water quality field investigations in Central and Eastern Washington.

What you will do:

• Analyze data by applying advanced statistical and water quality and hydrologic modeling techniques and formulates and justifies conclusions and recommendations.
• Report status and results of water quality, hydrologic, and other studies and analyses to management, staff, public, and interest groups.
• Direct and prepare publication of technical reports and presents 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.

Qualifications

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Hydrogeologist 2 and 3 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the Hydrogeologist 2 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become a Hydrogeologist 3 within a specified time period.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

At the Hydrogeologist 2 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 58, $5,531 - $7,443 monthly Six years of professional experience and or education: Experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist or closely allied profession. Experience must include the following:

• Hydrogeology Experience: Experience in groundwater investigations, including aquifer characterization, groundwater flow analysis, and contaminant fate and transport in applied settings.
• Technical Writing, Reporting, and Publication: Proven ability to author technical reports, document methods and decisions, and present results to various audiences such as management, scientific audiences (e.g., conferences, technical advisory groups), the public and other interest groups.
• Data Management & Systems: Hands-on experience with environmental data management, including data validation and metadata standards; ability to manage and upload datasets to systems like the Ecology Environmental Information Management System (EIM) (or equivalent), ensuring completeness, accuracy, and traceability.
• Monitoring Well Programs & Field Sampling: Demonstrated 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 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.

At the Hydrogeologist 3 level (Goal Class)

Pay Range 62, $6,565 - $8,825 monthly The salary listed includes 7.5% assignment pay due to the required licensure.

Possession of a valid Washington State Geologist and Hydrogeologist Specialty license. AND Seven years of professional experience and or education:

• Hydrogeology Experience: Experience in groundwater investigations, including aquifer characterization, groundwater flow analysis, and contaminant fate and transport in applied settings.
• Technical Writing, Reporting, and Publication: Proven ability to author technical reports, document methods and decisions, and present results to management, scientific audiences (e.g., conferences, technical advisory groups), the public and other interest groups.
• Quality Assurance Experience (QAPPs & QA/QC): Experience reviewing and developing Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs); ability to provide written technical review comments and follow QA/QC practices for groundwater investigations and data workflows.
• Data Management & Systems: Hands-on experience with environmental data management, including data validation and metadata standards; ability to manage and upload datasets to systems like the Ecology Environmental Information Management System (EIM) (or equivalent), ensuring completeness, accuracy, and traceability.
• Project Planning & Independent Professional Judgment: Strong project planning/coordination skills with the ability to plan, develop, direct, and oversee multi-site groundwater studies; exercises independent professional judgment to set goals, select appropriate methods, and ensure timely, high-quality deliverables.
• Monitoring Well Programs & Field Sampling: Demonstrated experience planning, overseeing, and/or directing the installation of monitoring and domestic wells, developing well construction/specifications, 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 closely allied field.

Examples of how to qualify- a valid Washington State Geologist and Hydrogeologist Specialty license and:

• 7 years of experience.
• 6 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
• 4 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.
• 1 year of experience AND a Master's degree.
• a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• A valid Washington State Geologist License and a Washington State Hydrogeologist Specialty License are required for the Hydrogeologist 3 level.

NOTE: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State Licensing (DOL) Official Site: How to get your license: Geologists, engineering geologists, or hydrogeologists by reciprocity.

Desired Qualifications:

• Regulatory & Policy Knowledge: Working knowledge of state and federal water laws and standards relevant to groundwater quantity and quality, including application to Water Code, Ground Water Quality Standards, Waste Regulations, and/or related compliance/permit contexts; ability to provide policy/technical recommendations