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Hydrologists

$85.99K Median Salary 700 Job Openings (Annual Projection) 6.2% Job Growth

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About This Career

Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Reported Job Titles

Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Hydrologist, Physical Scientist, Research Hydrologist, Scientist, Source Water Protection Specialist

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Skills You'll Need

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Abilities

Oral Comprehension

Oral Expression

Written Comprehension

Written Expression

Deductive Reasoning

Inductive Reasoning

Mathematical Reasoning

Problem Sensitivity

Category Flexibility

Near Vision

Flexibility of Closure

Information Ordering

Speech Recognition

Fluency of Ideas

Speech Clarity

Number Facility

Originality

Perceptual Speed

Far Vision

Visualization

Knowledge

Mathematics

Physics

Engineering and Technology

English Language

Geography

Computers and Electronics

Chemistry

Biology

Skills

Critical Thinking

Active Listening

Reading Comprehension

Science

Complex Problem Solving

Mathematics

Speaking

Active Learning

Writing

Judgment and Decision Making

Monitoring

Systems Analysis

Coordination

Instructing

Learning Strategies

Persuasion

Social Perceptiveness

Systems Evaluation

Technology Skills

Analytical or scientific software

Presentation software

Data base user interface and query software

Computer aided design CAD software

Map creation software

Geographic information system

Graphics or photo imaging software

Word processing software

Development environment software

Object or component oriented development software

Spreadsheet software

Categorization or classification software

Electronic mail software

Office suite software

Operating system software

Internet browser software

Compliance software

Web platform development software

Tools

Water samplers

Water analyzers

Open stream current meters

Logging instruments for water wells

Open stream water level recorders

Pressure sensors

Soil core sampling apparatus

Remote reading thermometers

Sampling pumps

Radarbased surveillance systems

Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters

Flowmeters

Laboratory mechanical convection ovens

Sonars

Filters or other spare parts for samplers

Laboratory sifting equipment

Peristaltic pumps

Surface data logging sensors

Dissolution or disintegration testers

Underwater cameras

Surface data logging units

Dropping pipettes

Salinity meter

Well logging downhole test equipment

Thickness measuring devices

Theodolites

Commercial fishing nets

Pull spring balances

Pitch measuring instruments

Laboratory flasks

Oil content monitors analyzers

Hydrometers

Laboratory bailers

Portable seismic apparatus

Portable data input terminals

Heating or drying equipment or accessories

Global positioning system GPS receiver

Lux or light meter

Templates

Radiation detectors

Two way radios

Clinometers

Laboratory vacuum pumps

Micrometers

Dissolved oxygen meters

Calipers

Respirators

Levels

Mainframe computers

Notebook computers

Extensometers

pH meters

Laser printers

Turbidimeters

Desktop computers

Personal computers

Conductivity meters

Abilities

Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Mathematical Reasoning: The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Category Flexibility: The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Speech Recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Fluency of Ideas: The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Speech Clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Number Facility: The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Originality: The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Knowledge

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Skills

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Technology Skills

Analytical or scientific software: Statistical analysis software; TapRooT
Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software: Blackboard software; Database software; Microsoft Access; Yardi software
Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD; Autodesk Revit
Map creation software: ESRI Site Scan for ArcGIS; OpenDroneMap
Geographic information system: ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS systems
Graphics or photo imaging software: SmugMug Flickr
Word processing software: 3M Post-it App; Evernote; Google Docs; Microsoft Word
Development environment software: Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
Object or component oriented development software: Oracle Java
Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel
Categorization or classification software: Drug coding software
Electronic mail software: IBM Notes; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft Outlook
Office suite software: Microsoft Office software
Operating system software: Microsoft Windows
Internet browser software: Web browser software
Compliance software: ESS Compliance Suite; Mannus Compliance: EHS; Primatech AUDITWorks
Web platform development software: Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP

Tools

Water samplers: Mechanical sampling buckets; Sample jars
Water analyzers: Water test kits
Open stream current meters: Water velocity flow meters
Logging instruments for water wells: Water logging tools
Open stream water level recorders: Cellular telemetry system water level monitors; Water level recorders
Pressure sensors: Spring gauges
Soil core sampling apparatus: Grab samplers
Remote reading thermometers: Non-contact thermometers
Sampling pumps: Portable pumping and sampling systems
Radarbased surveillance systems: Radar navigation systems
Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters: X ray fluorescence XRF analyzers
Flowmeters: Electronic bubble meters; Electronic pump calibrators; Mass flow meters
Laboratory mechanical convection ovens: Environmental ovens
Sonars: Underwater sonar equipment
Filters or other spare parts for samplers: Sounding reels
Laboratory sifting equipment: Sieve shakers
Peristaltic pumps:
Surface data logging sensors: Data logging pressure/temperature sensors
Dissolution or disintegration testers: Erosion monitors
Underwater cameras: Underwater recording equipment; Underwater video cameras; Underwater video equipment
Surface data logging units: Well/surface water dataloggers
Dropping pipettes:
Salinity meter: Salinity meters
Well logging downhole test equipment: Standpipe multi-packer systems for long-term monitoring of deep boreholes
Thickness measuring devices: Digital thickness gauges
Theodolites: Survey transits
Commercial fishing nets: Dip net samplers; Gill nets; Jellyfish scoops; Plankton nets
Pull spring balances: Spring scales
Pitch measuring instruments: Screw pitch gauges
Laboratory flasks: Volumetric flasks
Oil content monitors analyzers: Oil water interface meters
Hydrometers: Urometers
Laboratory bailers: Water sampling bailers
Portable seismic apparatus: Hydraulic fracturing systems
Portable data input terminals: Data acquisition equipment; Data loggers
Heating or drying equipment or accessories: Dessicators
Global positioning system GPS receiver: Global positioning system GPS receivers
Lux or light meter: Light meters
Templates: Machine templates
Radiation detectors:
Two way radios:
Clinometers:
Laboratory vacuum pumps:
Micrometers:
Dissolved oxygen meters: Dissolved oxygen monitors
Calipers: Dial calipers; Digital calipers; Vernier calipers
Respirators: Half-face respirators; Respirator hose masks
Levels: Optical levels
Mainframe computers:
Notebook computers: Laptop computers
Extensometers:
pH meters: pH monitors
Laser printers: Computer laser printers
Turbidimeters: Turbidity monitors
Desktop computers:
Personal computers:
Conductivity meters: