- Salary: $39.02 – $48.00 Hourly
- Location: Salt Lake County, UT
- Job Type: Full Time
- Job Number: 45838
- Agency: 560 Department of Natural Resources
- Unit: 0420 DNR HP/WATER RIGHTS
- Opening Date: 08/07/2025
- Closing Date: 8/24/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
- FLSA: Exempt
- Recruiter: Tim Conyers
- # of Openings: 1
- Schedule Code: B – Competitive Career Service – Employment in this position requires a probationary period.
- Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package. See benefits tab below for details.
- Background Check: Selected applicants must be willing to provide authorization and information necessary for a full background investigation which may include a polygraph.
- Driver License Requirements: Employees hired for this recruitment will be subject to the Driver Eligibility standards found at the following link: https://adminrules.utah.gov/public/search/driver%20eligibility/Current%20Rules
- EEO Statement: The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of 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. For accommodations, dial 711 or TTY: 800-346-4128.
Job Description
Job Title: Hydrologic Scientist IV-Technical Services Groundwater ProgramLocation: Salt Lake City, UT
The Utah Division of Water Rights is seeking a senior hydrologic scientist (hydrogeologist) to provide project management, technical expertise and complex analysis support for staff and the State Engineer with respect to groundwater-related projects. Those projects can include groundwater management plan development, aquifer recharge/recovery, groundwater investigations, groundwater modeling, groundwater studies, well drilling, and geothermal. This is a working level job requiring minimal supervision and requires independent interpretation and analysis of groundwater issues. This position will be based out of the Division’s Salt Lake City Office in the Groundwater Program of the Technical Services Section.
The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication, organizational, and technical skills. A successful candidate should possess a strong educational background, relevant experience including fieldwork and office-based responsibilities and be proactive, detail-oriented, and able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
To qualify, the candidate must be registered as a professional geologist in the State of Utah in accordance with the provisions of Utah Code Annotated 58-76 and have considerable experience performing relevant work. Incumbents in this job utilize advanced training, experience and independent judgment in the evaluation and modification of complex hydrogeologic situations requiring specialized abilities. Incumbents apply the knowledge and techniques of advanced mathematics, science, and engineering to assignments.
Why You Should Join Our Team:
As one of the oldest agencies in the State of Utah, the Office of the State Engineer (i.e., the Division of Water Rights) has a long history of playing a critical role in the management of the state’s water resources. Consequently, water users rely on the expertise of the Division of Water Rights to provide order and certainty in the distribution of Utah’s water. This position is a full-time position with benefits that offers an opportunity to build your career in groundwater evaluation. You will be involved in analyzing critical groundwater issues and helping to understand and implement groundwater management solutions for the future of Utah. This will be a challenging profession that has a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of the state, and shape the future of the state’s most valuable resource.
The Agency:
If you would like to read more about working for Natural Resources in Water Rights please click here.
Responsibilities
- Develops Groundwater Management Plans and standards for specific basins, according to State Code and in consultation with local community. Determines a sustainable yield for the aquifer and estimates current depletions
- Assist with the administration, management, and implementation of the Division’s groundwater recharge and recovery program
- Assist with the administration and management of the Division’s groundwater studies with research entities including UGS, USGS, and universities.
- Assist with the administration and implementation of the Division’s well drilling program
- Assist with the administration implementation of the Division’s geothermal program
- Apply hydrologic principles to evaluate and recommend changes to water right policy related to groundwater
- Collaborate with management and staff from other sections and regional offices to evaluate and resolve groundwater issues
- Research water rights and independently perform literature research; apply engineering principles and standard practice to collect groundwater related data, distill data, and develop/use computer models to analyze groundwater supply, availability, priority distribution, and water quality issues affecting surface and ground waters of the state of Utah.
- Develop and apply techniques to assess and improve data quality. Understanding of geologic concepts and terms.
- Compose written reports and make public presentations
- Speak clearly, concisely, and effectively in English; comprehend information and ideas presented verbally and in writing. Organize thoughts and information into logical and effective presentations in written and oral form. Trains Division personnel on groundwater programs, applications and methods. Manages meetings where complex information is distributed to engineers, scientists, lawyers, water users and the public.
- Assess relationships and linkages between surface and ground water leading to workable conjunctive use principles. Develop website applications that integrate data entry, query, and viewing capabilities with GIS tools for the public and the Division use.
- The incumbent will organize assignments to be performed, determine procedures for conducting investigations, and perform the work. The incumbent will present conclusions and make recommendations to resolve issues which were part of the assignment. The supervisor and other staff are available for consultation if required but the incumbent has the responsibility to analyze the problem and apply appropriate techniques to arrive at a solution.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Must be registered as a professional geologist in the State of Utah in accordance with the provisions of Utah Code Annotated 58-76.
- Holds a bachelor’s degree or higher in geology or related field
- Have a minimum of 5 years working in the fields of groundwater/hydrogeology
- A working knowledge of Utah water rights especially as it relates to groundwater, their characteristics and attributes.
- Have a working knowledge of Division of Water Rights statute, rules, policies and procedures.
- A working knowledge of groundwater policies and procedures.
- Has a working knowledge of hydrogeologic principles
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
- Experience with groundwater flow modeling using MODFLOW or equivalent models
- Can identify and apply methods to measure or estimate aquifer sustainable yield
- Ability to interpret technical studies
- Knowledge and ability to work in the Utah Water Rights website and databases
- Knowledge of and ability to work with Google Workspaces, and/or Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to write and review technical reports
- Ability to understand and review geologic and engineering documents.
- Ability to make decisions or recommendations based on available data.
- Ability to perform and/or interpret groundwater and well hydraulic measurements and calculations.
- Experience collecting, evaluating, and interpreting groundwater data, well data, pumping test data, and geothermal data.
- Experience using groundwater/well investigative tools such as GPS, water level meters, well camera inspection equipment, hand augers, water quality meters, etc.
- Speaks clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
- Communicates information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; reads and understands information presented in writing
- Solves problems using logic to identify key facts, explores alternatives, and proposes quality solutions; analyzes or identifies underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusion
- Experience with GIS systems, databases, and data processing
- Skilled in research and investigation methods and techniques.
- The ability to travel and do field work in construction-type environments.
Supplemental Information
- Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment during field work, e.g., working around operating machines and hazardous materials, etc.
- Field work may require physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 75 lbs.).
- Outdoor field work is required, including the ability to walk by foot on uneven terrain for up to 2 miles. May need to hike to field locations carrying equipment in various weather conditions.
- Travel within the State of Utah for field inspections/investigations is an integral part of the position.
- Statewide travel will be required with occasional overnight stays.
- Must be able to hike/walk in rough, wet terrain.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Employer: State of Utah
Address: 4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2100, Taylorsville, Utah, 84129
