The Department of Natural Resource and Conservation
Water Sciences Bureau
The Department is recruiting a Hydrologist. The successful applicant will have experience with groundwater hydrology and will support the Water Resources Division as a groundwater expert. Primary duties will include completing technical groundwater reviews associated with water right applications, and secondary duties will include conducting hydrologic investigations, and research throughout the State of Montana. This position offers significant flexibility and autonomy while working within a fun and collaborative team environment. We want you to succeed, enjoy your career, and we will work hard to support your professional growth while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Working Conditions: The position is based in Helena, Montana and approximately 80-90% of the work occurs in a normal office setting. Travel for field work, meetings, and trainings is required. The position requires the ability to walk over rough and steep terrain to carry field equipment to data collection sites. The hydrologist must be able to work outdoors during bad weather. The hydrologist must rely on experience and judgement as to what safety precautions are prudent. The hydrologist must have good, driving skills required for both on-road and off-road travel and during times of inclement weather.
This is a new position and not an existing vacancy. In addition to the advertised starting salary, The Montana Legislature has recently passed the FY2024-2025 State Pay Plan that includes a raise of $1.50/hr on July 1, 2024.
Please contact HR at krichetti@mt.gov for a full job description
Required Application Materials:
· Cover Letter explaining how your education, work experience and your own personal career goals make you a good fit for this position.
· Resume
· List of 3 References that can speak about your relevant skills and experiences. References can be included in your resume.
Tip: When attaching documents, you must mark them all relevant.
Please also note: Removing your materials from the careers system to edit for another requisition will remove them from your submission, unfortunately this makes your submission look incomplete and you do not move forward in the selection process. To avoid this, it is advised to have a working copy outside the system and upload a version per submission if necessary.
Preferred Knowledge and Skills:
· Expertise in the principles, theories, and methods of hydrology, hydrogeology, geology, geomorphology, integrated remote sensing, meteorology, geospatial analysis, and/or surface/groundwater modeling.
· Knowledge of Montana water rights laws and processes.
· Experience with hydrologic field methodologies and use of appropriate instrumentation for water measurement.
· Knowledge of methods for conducting hydrologic investigations, including techniques and methods for analyzing data, developing hydrologic models, and reporting findings.
· Knowledge of irrigation system design and practices common to Montana including sprinkler and flood irrigation systems.
· Knowledge of data management, GIS software (ArcGIS), spatial data analysis and mapping principles.
Education Requirement
· A bachelor’s degree in a field related to Hydrology, Earth Science, Geology, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or Water Resources, is required. A master’s degree in the above fields is preferred.
· Minimum of one year of pertinent, progressively responsible job-related experience in hydrology. Education and experience equivalent and comparable to that specified above may meet job requirements and would be considered on an individual basis.
Special Information: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver’s license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
Eligibility to Work: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a “green card”.
Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.
Salary: $
30.54 – 33.59 Hourly
Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)
Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan
Number of Openings: 1
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time
Primary Location: Helena
Agency: Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Union: 000 – None
Posting Date: Jul 18, 2023, 8:29:00 PM
Closing Date (based on your computer’s timezone): Aug 9, 2023, 8:59:00 AM
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume
Contact Name: Kellie l Richetti | Contact Email: krichetti@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 4064440513
The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency’s HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.