Staff Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In-training)

State of Washington•Yakima County - Union Gap, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Staff Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In Training) within the Environmental Assessment Program. This position is located at the Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, with Mondays and Wednesdays designated as 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. 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.

Requirements

Six years of professional experience and or education: Experience: as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist or closely allied profession.
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.
Major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology or closely allied field.
Possession of a valid Washington State Geologist and Hydrogeologist Specialty license.
Seven years of professional experience and or education: Experience: as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist or closely allied profession.
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.
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.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

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 for pollution control.
40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Certification and current 8-hour Annual Refresher.

Responsibilities

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.
Characterize groundwater flow.
Oversee installation of monitoring wells.
Conduct field sampling.
Analyze resulting data.
Determine effective land use management practices.
Manage groundwater monitoring for the Lower Yakima Valley Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Network.
Provide support for analyzing large datasets associated with soil and groundwater sampling.
Apply state-of-the-art theories and practices in designing and directing hydrological and water quality field investigations in Central and Eastern Washington.
Review and develop Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs).
Provide written technical review comments and follow QA/QC practices for groundwater investigations and data workflows.
Plan, develop, direct, and oversee multi-site groundwater studies.
Exercise independent professional judgment to set goals, select appropriate methods, and ensure timely, high-quality deliverables.
Plan, oversee, and/or direct the installation of monitoring and domestic wells.
Develop well construction/specifications.
Conduct groundwater field sampling (e.g., purge methods, low-flow sampling, chain-of-custody, field parameters) with strict QA/QC practices.