Water & Wastewater Hydrogeologist (Early Career)

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you're valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Water and Wastewater

Join our team to help shape reliable, efficient water and wastewater systems that make a difference in communities. We take a comprehensive, cost-effective approach to every project, maximizing value while delivering long-lasting solutions. For drinking water systems, we prioritize consistent pressure, exceptional water quality, and straightforward maintenance. Our philosophy on wastewater? The best systems are the ones you don't notice, quietly performing day after day, only visible during routine maintenance or upgrades. If you're passionate about smart infrastructure and practical innovation, we invite you to be a part of our team, the People Who Make it Happen!!

Summary

Join our team as an early career Hydrogeologist and play a key role in delivering high-quality groundwater and water resource projects. In this role, you will lead drilling and well installation activities, support geophysical logging programs, and ensure safe field operations in diverse environments. You'll work hands-on with groundwater data, conducting pumping and airlift tests, analyzing field results, and contributing to hydrogeologic evaluations that drive critical project decisions.

You'll have the opportunity to apply your technical expertise through data collection, interpretation, and clear communication of findings via reports, figures, maps, and visualizations. This position also offers the chance to support the design of groundwater and potable water supply wells, develop well rehabilitation plans, assist with engineering reports and technical specifications, and contribute to water rights applications.

If you're motivated by impactful fieldwork, strong scientific analysis, and meaningful contributions to water resource management, we'd love to hear from you!

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Basic
• Market Sector Software - Basic

Technical Expertise

• Basic understanding of technical fundamentals
• Performs basic technical tasks assigned with oversight from others
• Performs self-review of basic deliverables
• Motivated to learn new technical skills through self-study and mentoring

Duties

• Oversee drilling and well installation activities including troubleshooting of problems that arise; log borehole cuttings with USCS soil classification and hydrogeologic properties; oversee geophysical logging of boreholes.
• Work safely in populated, rural, or remote outdoor locations around heavy machinery, mobile equipment, or traffic, sometimes in inclement weather. Requires an aptitude for identifying potential hazards and coordinating with Health and Safety personnel on a worksite
• Interface with drillers and oversee well installation and pumping tests (step and constant rate), or airlift testing.
• Analyze pumping test data
• Conduct hydrogeologic desktop evaluations which include compiling available qualitative information and empirical data and interpreting data with focus on project objectives while maintaining sound scientific reasoning
• Collect and manage hydrogeologic field data in accordance with defensible data practices, including groundwater levels, flow rate monitoring, water quality sampling, photographs, etc.
• Analyze various field data including water flow, groundwater levels, GPS locations, and water quality samples
• Report on findings of studies by writing technical reports, memorandums, and emails. Effectively communicate study findings through clear technical writing and incorporate use of data presentations including maps, figures, plots or other methods
• Assist with design of groundwater test wells, monitoring wells, potable water supply wells, and well rehabilitation plans
• Assist with preparation of bids and technical specifications for water projects including water wells
• Assist with preparation of preliminary engineering reports for water supply projects
• Assist with preparation of water right applications, extension applications, and mapping practices.
• Assist with groundwater modeling using MODFLOW including running existing public groundwater models or developing project specific models to fulfill client objectives.

Desired skills:

• Desire to learn and develop hydrogeologic skills including the following: field identification of geologic materials, pumping test techniques and analyses, defensible water quality sampling procedures, groundwater modeling, how to conduct regional or local hydrogeologic assessments, etc.
• Critical thinking: problem solving through research and data gathering from various sources, including clients, County, State, Federal, staff, and records, and organize and compile for distribution and review. Have an eye for details and make conscious effort to develop an understanding of problems; maintain the patience to pursue the problem until a solution is found.
• Excellent communication skills: converse with a wide variety of people, including clients, co-workers, committee members, and staff from public agencies.
• Strong technical writing skills: provide concise descriptions of technical procedures, processes, and places.
• Computer Literacy: ability to operate computers (regular, laptop, etc.) with a working understanding and use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with ArcGIS and Python software is desired, and knowledge of a programming language for use in data processing is a plus.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and perform the following actions: standing for long periods of time, stooping/kneeling/crouching, and walking/hiking on uneven terrain

Teamwork

Functions in a supporting role on a project team. Collaborates, listens, takes direction well, and retains information provided. Is motivated to grow skills and help the team.

Project Delivery

Participates in tasks and produces the following with close direction/oversight from others:

• Site investigations
• Design calculations
• Technical reports and memos
• Exhibits and figures
• Construction quantity calculations and cost estimates
• Design documents and construction plans
• Presentation content and slides
• Construction inspection of designed components

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Basic understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Collaborates with supervisor and/or resource manager to plan work time on assignments. Self- monitors budgets and schedules for simple project tasks assigned.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Basic ability to read and interpret applicable design standards and technical guidance documents identified by more senior staff.

Client Interaction

Infrequent direct client interaction. Read emails, occasionally attends client meetings, listens, and prepares meeting minutes.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs basic levels of technical work on projects in support of more experienced staff within the market sector. Operates with minimal autonomy - work is closely supervised by more senior staff.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required in hydrogeology, geological sciences, engineering, or other science discipline with course work specific to hydrogeology will also be considered. Master's Degree is preferred.
• Years of experience required: none
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: none

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• EIT/EI required (within 6 months of hire)
• Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver's license is required to support legitimate business purposes

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally navigate uneven terrain during site visits for engineering investigations and construction observation. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.