Hydrologist

$39.11 - $62.58 Hourly

$81,349 - $130,159 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C11

Posting Details

This position can be based in four of the Division's locations: Albuquerque, Artesia, Hobbs, Santa Fe.


The Oil Conservation Division of EMNRD regulates oil and gas activity in New Mexico. The Division's core responsibilities include issuing permits for new wells, enforcing state and division rules, collecting data on well production, managing the spill reporting process, ensuring abandoned wells are properly plugged, and requiring the responsible restoration of land affected by oil and gas operations.


This position is part of the Division's Environmental Bureau, which is responsible for regulating the environmental aspects of oil, gas, operations throughout the state. Its primary goal is to protect groundwater, public health, and the environment by responding to incidents, remediating spills, and reclaiming impacted lands. This position assists the Oil Conservation Division's (OCD) Special Projects Program to ensure OCD goals and objectives are met. This position primarily will conduct groundwater investigations and will review associated data submitted by operators. These reports can be associated with but not limited to Stage 1 and Stage 2 groundwater abatement plans, soil remediation, pit and below grade tank operations, final reclamation of sites, and evaluations of groundwater protections.


As a valued new employee to EMNRD, you will receive five (5) full days of leave in your leave balances right from your start date.


Why does the job exist?

This position assists the Oil Conservation Division's (OCD) Special Projects Program to ensure OCD goals and objectives are met. This position primarily will conduct groundwater investigations and will review associated data submitted by operators. These reports can be associated with but not limited to Stage 1 and Stage 2 groundwater abatement plans, soil remediation, pit and below grade tank operations, final reclamation of sites, and evaluations of groundwater protections.


This position will also assist in the Environmental Bureau Incidents and Administrative permitting programs by processing groundwater related applications as needed.


The applicant will have the expertise to read, calibrate, and utilize water measuring devices, develop databases including hydrologic data, and draft maps using manual methods and electronic software, calculate acreage by using planimeters and measuring instruments; the ability to evaluate flow maps, plats, plotting elevations and locations of wells; calculate areas, volumes, distances; collect and analyze water samples to determine water quality. Research hydrographic survey maps, understanding of state water laws, rules, regulations, and policies to facilitate the filing of an application for permit. Utilizes Global Positioning Survey (GPS) data; analyze and make recommendations relating to water conservation. Applies analytical groundwater information to evaluate and research technical reports; performs field surveys; review design plans for the rehabilitation of water contamination and compile water use data and analyze current and past water information.


Furthermore, this position will help coordinate and implement OCD programs to ensure that they meet legal requirements; help advise senior management on legal and management issues, policies and rules, and have in-depth familiarity with the Oil and Gas Act and Rules and the Water Quality Act and Rules, that govern the OCD's Environmental Bureau.


How does it get done?

This position will spend the majority of it's time reviewing groundwater information and providing assessments internally or externally. This position will work directly with other sections within the environmental bureau providing groundwater information or expertise for facilities or incidents. This position may include limited field oversight. In addition to groundwater, this position may be asked to perform tasks for other environmental needs as required.

1. Assist the OCD Environmental Bureau in reviewing groundwater information relating to spills and incidents and associated permitting
2. Assist the OCD Environmental Bureau in Administrative Application Processing
3. Assist the OCD in reviewing groundwater information for facility permitting.


Who are the customers?

This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in preventing waste of natural resources, while protecting public health, the environment, and groundwater resources in New Mexico.


Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who understands the environmental aspects of the oil and gas industry. The candidate should have expertise in the principles of environmental and regulatory reviews and is passionate about helping the state identify and implement oil and gas regulations in an effort to protect human health, the environment, and the proper utilization of New Mexico resources during oil and gas operations. The ideal candidate should have:

- Experience in environmental compliance
- Experience in Groundwater Abatement and methods
- Regulatory experience
- Oil and gas experience


Minimum Qualification

Bachelors of Science in Hydrology, Geology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or Engineering, and five (5) years of experience implementing water regulatory programs, ground water investigation and remediation, and/or hazardous waste management. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling nine (9) years may substitute for the required education and experience.


Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must be able to qualify for and attain a Department of Energy (DOE) "L" or "Q" security clearance, including passing random drug testing.


Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some travel may be required. Some field/facility site inspections required.


Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Cory Smith, View phone number on click.appcast.io, Email


For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.