Local recruitment: Mapping Hydrogeologist

 Mapping Hydrogeologist
Job Class: Hydrologist 3
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID: 85954
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes, hybrid up to 50%
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 5/3/2025
• Closing Date: 5/27/2025
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Ecological & Water Resources
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday – Friday
• Travel Required: Yes
• Salary Range: $34.18 – $50.69 / hourly; $71,367 – $105,840 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 – MN Association of Professional Employees/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt – Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you’ll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

The DNR is currently seeking to hire a Mapping Hydrogeologist in St. Paul, MN.
This position exists to perform professional hydrogeological investigations and to produce complex maps and reports for DNR’s County Groundwater Atlas (CGA) program. Using advanced GIS software, the position will produce groundwater flow maps, groundwater sensitivity maps, and hydrogeologic cross sections for assigned counties in the CGA program. This position will also author detailed reports and develop and provide materials and presentations to local government units on CGA maps and reports. This position will design, plan, and lead field work in the following areas: water chemistry sampling, surveying, and groundwater level monitoring. The position will process and evaluate the data collected in the field, enter data in appropriate electronic formats, and create reports as directed. The position will provide data management support to the atlas team, the Mapping and Modeling Unit (MMU) and/or the Groundwater Technical Unit (GTA) as needed. Data management includes preparing, inputting, and exporting data in the EQuiS database, and working with Microsoft Access and SQL to manage and reformat data. The position may also assist other units or work groups to carry out hydrogeological investigations and other specialty projects. Responsibilities include:

1. Groundwater Atlas Report Production. Working in an advanced GIS environment, research, compile, plot, and analyze data. Maintain files and records for each project area so that data can be collected and efficiently accessed. Design, develop, and create hydrogeologic and groundwater sensitivity maps and detailed, accurate reports for the CGA program which meet state, county, and local governmental unit needs. Author County Groundwater Atlases as assigned by the Supervisor. Prepare and deliver presentations to the public related to CGA maps and products. Review and edit reports and data as assigned.
2. Data Management. The position will process and evaluate the data collected in the field for the Groundwater Atlas Team and the Mapping and Modeling Unit (MMU) and/or the Groundwater Technical Unit (GTA), perform QA/QC on collected data; enter, manage, and distribute data in appropriate databases and electronic formats, and create reports as directed.
3. Field work and data collection. Design, plan, and carry out field data collection activities so that adequate data are gathered to characterize the hydrogeology, geochemistry, and geologic sensitivity of a project area.
4. Duties as Assigned & Special Projects.  Complete duties as assigned by the supervisor. Propose, develop, design, initiate, and manage approved special projects to enhance a broader understanding of the statewide, regional and local water resource issues. Additional duties include improving the technical content of atlas products and to support division/department water resource management information needs. This position will evaluate and initiate new approaches to analyze and interpret geological and hydrological data for application to technical analysis of county atlas data for improved groundwater resource understanding and management.
5. Administrative tasks and communication. Understands, uses, and follows internal DNR communications systems, administrative procedures, and policies.

This work will require overnight travel 2-3 days per week up to several times per month and 4-5 days per week up to several times during field season.
This position may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review after the posting close date.

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, agricultural engineering, environmental engineering, geological engineering, hydrology, forest hydrology, geography, geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, natural resources, environmental studies, soil science, water resources management, hydraulics, environmental science, earth science, or related major.
• Transcript requirement:
  • Three hydrogeology qualifying courses in the areas of: hydrogeology, groundwater hydraulics, contaminant transport, groundwater modeling, or equivalent.
  • OR Two hydrogeology qualifying courses and two geology qualifying courses in the areas of: geomorphology, geochemistry, glacial geology, structural geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geologic mapping, geophysics, or equivalent.

Additional qualifications:

• 4 years of professional experience in surface water or groundwater hydrology, soil and water resource management, hydrogeology, hydrologic modeling, geochemistry or regulatory work. An advanced degree in an appropriate major (see education requirements above) may substitute for 1 year of experience.
• Meet the education requirements for licensure as a Professional Geologist or Professional Engineer in Minnesota.
• Knowledge of geology, geologic mapping, groundwater, aquifer characteristics, hydrology and hydraulics, groundwater geochemistry, and groundwater monitoring and sampling field methods sufficient to develop large technical reports that describe the movement and pollution sensitivity of groundwater resources in an assigned area.
• Ability to analyze complex geologic and hydrogeologic conditions and prepare technical reports.
• Experience collecting and analyzing surface water or groundwater data.
• Advanced skills with geographic information systems (GIS) software (ArcMAP/ Arc Pro) sufficient to compile and analyze hydrologic and/or geologic data (i.e. identify trends, prepare geologic cross sections, and develop groundwater flow maps).
• Proficiency in software use including spreadsheets (Microsoft Access and Excel), SQL, and EQuiS or another relational database to compile, analyze, and present hydrologic and hydraulic data.
• Skills with Microsoft Office Suite sufficient to draft technical reports, create presentations, and compile, analyze, and manage data.
• Experience with technical writing and drafting documents that are clear, organized, and grammatically sound.
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple complex projects; plan and allocate time and resources as necessary; establish and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and lead a team on complex technical projects.
• Communication skills sufficient to effectively communicate technical information to a variety of audiences and to maintain effective working relationships with managers, public, and team members.
• Peer review skills sufficient to provide and receive feedback on large technical documents from other staff, the public, and other collaborators.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in a related field of study (see above).
• At least one additional course in hydrogeology/groundwater hydrology.
• Experience collecting groundwater samples for water chemistry analysis utilizing pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and conductivity meters.
• Experience collecting groundwater level data using steel tape and/or electronic tape methods.
• Experience using GPS equipment to collect engineering and/or mapping grade survey data.
• Possess a Geologist in Training (GIT) or licensure as a Professional Geologist or Professional Engineer in Minnesota.
• Knowledge of aquifer test data analysis methods and experience analyzing data from aquifer tests.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review
• Criminal History Check
• Education Verification
• Employment Reference / Records Check
• License / Certification Verification

Application Details

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Vanessa Baratta-Person at vanessa.baratta@state.mn.us or 651-259-5685.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Lucas Schulze at lucas.schulze@state.mn.us.

Working together to improve the state we love. 

What do Minnesota’s State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits 

As an employee, you’ll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.