Senior Groundwater Modeler
About The Position
Water & Environmental Technologies (WET) is seeking a technically skilled Senior Groundwater Modeler to support groundwater, mine permitting, hydrogeologic, environmental remediation, and water-resource projects throughout the Rocky Mountain region and western United States. The role develops and applies conceptual and numerical groundwater models to assess groundwater flow, water availability, contaminant fate and transport, and potential impacts related to mining, groundwater development, and environmental projects. It integrates field data, hydrogeologic information, geologic interpretation, GIS data, and numerical modeling to develop technically sound client solutions. The modeler collaborates with the groundwater modeling team, hydrogeologists, engineers, geologists, project managers, and other technical staff, participating in work from initial investigation and data collection through modeling, interpretation, reporting, and client delivery. The position supports and manages modeling projects, helps strengthen team capabilities and internal modeling processes, contributes to business development, and ensures client service and adherence to quality standards. Work is primarily office-based and involves modeling, data analysis, GIS, report preparation, and project coordination. Periodic field work and travel to project sites may be required. The position is based in Montana or may be remote. Salary depends on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. WET offers health, dental, vision, and life insurance, performance-based bonuses, an Employee Sponsored 401k, and an employee stock ownership program (ESOP) at no cost to employees. Applicants must submit a résumé and cover letter.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in geology, hydrogeology, geological engineering, environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a related field.
- At least 10 years of professional groundwater modeling experience, including collaboration with in-house professionals, contractors, third-party consultants, and field personnel.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team and explain numerical modeling concepts, calibration results, and model limitations to technical colleagues and project managers.
- Proven ability to develop and apply numerical groundwater-flow and transport models using the MODFLOW suite, including MODFLOW 6, NWT, USG, MODPATH, MT3D/MT3DMS, and BCT, and optimization tools such as PEST within platforms such as GMS or Groundwater Vistas.
- Deep understanding of groundwater-flow mechanisms, aquifer systems, and quantitative hydrogeologic analysis, including practical field experience with aquifer testing.
- Demonstrated modeling experience in contaminant fate and transport, groundwater-surface water interactions, mine dewatering, environmental remediation, and water-resource development.
- Proficiency in spatial analysis using ArcGIS and programming capabilities in Python, R, or MATLAB to process, automate, and interpret technical datasets.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and experience authoring technical reports and explaining complex findings to clients and regulatory agencies.
- Ability to execute work independently while integrating effectively into a multidisciplinary technical team.
Nice To Haves
- Master of Science or PhD in hydrogeology, geology, or geological engineering.
- Certified Hydrogeologist (CHG), Professional Geologist (PG), or Professional Engineer (PE) registered in the applicable state.
- Experience with MODFLOW 6 model development and automation using FloPy and advanced MODFLOW 6 packages, including SFR6, MAW, UZF6, and MVR6.
- Experience with advanced calibration and uncertainty-analysis tools, including PESTPP-IES, highly parameterized calibration approaches, pilot-point parameterization, and predictive uncertainty evaluation.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the groundwater modeling team to expand and refine modeling capabilities and improve model construction and calibration processes for efficiency.
- Review models prepared by other team members for quality control.
- Support business development with senior leadership, including writing technical proposals, participating in client-facing presentations, identifying potential projects, and scoping complex modeling tasks.
- Construct, calibrate, and execute three-dimensional groundwater-flow and contaminant-transport models using the MODFLOW suite, PEST, and interfaces such as GMS or Groundwater Vistas.
- Perform predictive simulations, water-budget calculations, and sensitivity and uncertainty analyses.
- Synthesize geologic, hydrologic, pumping, and water-quality data to develop conceptual site models, boundary conditions, and model input datasets.
- Interpret hydrogeologic field data and use GIS and programming tools to streamline data processing, automate modeling workflows, and produce cross-sections, maps, and technical visualizations.
- Prepare model documentation, technical memoranda, and reports, and communicate quantitative findings to teams, clients, and regulatory agencies.
- Support design of groundwater investigations and aquifer testing programs.
- Assist leadership with work plans, project scopes, cost estimates, and proposals.
- Maintain organized project files, calculation logs, and model documentation for QA/QC reviews, and follow firm health and safety policies.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Performance-based bonuses
- Employee Sponsored 401k
- Employee stock ownership program (ESOP) providing company ownership to employees at no cost
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
