Local recruitment: Private Water Hydrogeologist - Project

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Dane County, WI, USA 🇺🇸

  • Job ID: 18055
  • Location: Dane County
  • Agency: Natural Resources
  • Full/Part Time: Full-Time
  • Regular/Temporary: Temporary

Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is hiring a Private Water Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist – Advanced) to coordinate the review of complex groundwater quality projects and provides professional geologic and hydrogeologic expertise in carrying out the Private Water Section’s responsibilities.

This recruitment has statewide duties but will be headquartered out of the DNR Headquarters (GEF 2) in Madison, WI. 

This is a project position, with an anticipated end date of December 15, 2026.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

Statewide travel will be required. Remote work will be available after the initial onboarding period. The exact amount is based on program need and varies seasonally. 

Find a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR! The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our residents. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a talented workforce representative of the people of Wisconsin we serve. We offer training and career growth opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and are searching for people with diverse backgrounds to join our dynamic and team-oriented environment.

Position Summary

This position provides geologic, hydrogeologic and technical expertise, project management and leadership to the investigation of complex geological, hydrogeological and groundwater contamination. This position coordinates the review of complex groundwater quality projects and provides professional geologic and hydrogeologic expertise in carrying out the Private Water Section’s responsibilities. This position requires knowledge of the DG program to enable the employee to work effectively on a wide range of complex private well issues including well contamination situations, technological best practices in well construction, interpretation of NR 812, NR 809 and NR 140 administrative rules, and other issues associated with complex well sites.

This position will be the statewide expert and provide geological, hydrogeological and groundwater contaminant analysis to implement technical eligibility requirements of the state’s ARPA funded Well Compensation program. This position deals on a routine and continuous basis with complex, multi-disciplinary, and highly sensitive hydrogeological issues that require interpretation, judgement and impact department actions and future decisions. 

For a sample detailed position description.

Salary Information

Starting pay is $35.00 – $39.69 per hour ($72,800.00 – $82,555.20 annually).

This position is in the Hydrogeologist Adv classification within Pay Schedule/Range 15-03. 

These positions are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

The State of Wisconsin offers an exemplary benefits package with: 

  • Generous paid time off, including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap. 
  • Excellent and affordable health insurance options (starting at $34/month for single and $83/month for family coverage).
  • Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
  • A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
  • Well Wisconsin program, offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
  • A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.
  • For more info, see our Total Rewards Calculator.

Job Details

Wisconsin Residency – Project Position: Per s. 230.27(1m), Wis. Stats., individuals appointed to project positions must be Wisconsin residents.

Probation: No probationary period will be required.

Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Eligibility to work in United States: The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR remote work policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs. Employees with approved.

Travel: This position is responsible for statewide administration of assigned program duties. Occasional in-state travel and occasional overnight stays will be required.

Qualifications

Please make sure to address and describe EACH of the following qualifications applicable to your experience within your resume and/or letter of qualifications to be considered for this position:

Required qualifications include experience in ALL the following criteria:

Experience related to hydrogeology, geology, or hydrology; including any certifications or degrees. 

Experience interpreting and applying statutes and administrative codes.

Training or experience interpreting water sampling results

Preferred Qualifications Include:

Knowledge of hydrogeologic and chemical principles controlling the transport of potential contaminants in the environment; from man-made or naturally occurring substances

Experience working with private or public water supply wells

Bachelor’s degree or higher in physical science, water resources, groundwater chemistry, geology or hydrogeology

Training or experience designing domestic or monitoring wells

How To Apply

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: ­18055 to complete your application for this posting. Current state employees, including those with Career Executive status, must apply through STAR ESS. Former permanent classified state employees must apply through Wisc.Jobs.

The steps to apply online are quick and easy! Your resume and letter of qualifications are used during our evaluation process to determine your eligibility for further consideration. Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications. Please review our helpful tips for developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included. References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted. 

For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Andrew Wenninger at andrewj.wenninger@wisconsin.gov or 608/266-7318.

Disabled Veterans: Qualified veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability are eligible for non-competitive appointment to permanent positions in classified civil service under s 230.275 WI Stats. Email the HR contact listed in this announcement for information on how to apply under this provision.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. central standard time on Monday, June 23, 2025. 

5 days remaining

Apply by 23 June, 2025

POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

IHE Delft - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development