Hydrologic Technicians

19-4044.00

Collect and organize data concerning the distribution and circulation of ground and surface water, and data on its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Measure and report on flow rates and ground water levels, maintain field equipment, collect water samples, install and collect sampling equipment, and process samples for shipment to testing laboratories. May collect data on behalf of hydrologists, engineers, developers, government agencies, or agriculture.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Analyze ecological data about the impact of pollution, erosion, floods, and other environmental problems on bodies of water.
• Answer technical questions from hydrologists, policymakers, or other customers developing water conservation plans.
• Apply research findings to minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, or sedimentation.
• Assist in designing programs to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
• Collect water and soil samples to test for physical, chemical, or biological properties, such as pH, oxygen level, temperature, and pollution.
• Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
• Estimate the costs and benefits of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters by gathering information, recommending alternatives, or preparing legal documents.
• Investigate the properties, origins, or activities of glaciers, ice, snow, or permafrost.
• Locate and deliver information or data as requested by customers, such as contractors, government entities, and members of the public.
• Measure the properties of bodies of water, such as water levels, volume, and flow.
• Perform quality control checks on data to be used by hydrologists.
• Prepare, install, maintain, or repair equipment used for hydrologic study, such as water level recorders, stream flow gauges, and water analyzers.
• Provide real time data to emergency management and weather service personnel during flood events.
• Write groundwater contamination reports on known, suspected, or potential hazardous waste sites.
• Write materials for research publications, such as maps, tables, and reports, to disseminate findings.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Datasurge GEOPRO; Delft GeoSystems MStab; GEO-SLOPE SEEP/W; Mitre Software GSLOPE; Salix Applied Earthcare Erosion Draw
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥; State Soil Geographic STATSGO Database
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥
• Electronic mail software - Email software; Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥; ESRI ArcInfo; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS software
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Operating system software - Microsoft Windows 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Web platform development software - Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

Detailed Work Activities

• Analyze environmental data.
• Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
• Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
• Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.
• Collect environmental data or samples.
• Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.
• Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
• Compile environmental or climatological data.
• Research hydrologic features or processes.
• Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
• Communicate with the public on environmental issues.
• Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
• Evaluate data quality.
• Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
• Install gauges or controls.
• Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.
• Write reports or evaluations.
• Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.