Hydrogeology Research Associate

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

4d • $55,000 - $80,000

About The Position

This position supports a Cooperative Agreement between CSU and the National Park Service’s (NPS) Water Resources Division (WRD). The Water Resources Division (WRD) of the National Park Service (NPS) works to conserve, protect, and restore water resources in parks throughout the United States by providing assistance, expertise, and guidance for aquatic ecosystem stewardship and water resource management. In cooperation with WRD, this position will improve NPS’s understanding of the status and sustainability of park water resources primarily by developing geospatial databases to organize key information that describes NPS groundwater wells, water supplies, and water rights. Development and expansion of these databases will involve researching, compiling, analyzing, interpreting, mapping, and/or presenting existing spatial, construction, hydrogeologic, water quality, water use, and water right information associated with NPS wells throughout the western U.S. This work will also involve identifying and satisfying significant data gaps through office- and field-based actions such as communicating with park staff, reviewing NPS records and state and federal databases, performing well video surveys, and measuring groundwater levels. On an as-needed basis, and depending on experience, this position will provide hydrologic and/or hydrogeologic expertise in support of investigations and technical assistance requests submitted by park units throughout the United States. Generally, such technical assistance requires collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of hydrologic and/or hydrogeologic information and data.

Requirements

• M.S. in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geology, Computer Science, Data Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or related field or (b) B.S./B.A. in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geology, Computer Science, Data Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or related field plus 3 years relevant professional experience
• Experience evaluating, compiling, and organizing data and information from various sources including state or federal databases
• Experience developing and maintaining large geospatial databases and web applications
• Experience developing maps and managing data using ArcGIS, comparable alternative software packages, and/or programming languages
• Experience tracking and managing metadata and documents related to database content with Microsoft Office or comparable software products
• Experience with groundwater and/or surface water hydrology as a result of previous coursework or professional experience
• Experience following written and verbal instructions (e.g., standard operating procedures for field equipment)
• Experience communicating through written (English) forms
• Must possess a valid driver's license or obtain one by position start date.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Available to meet WRD staff in person in Fort Collins, Colorado, at least once per month
• Available for short term travel (up to two weeks per trip) (Between 4 - 6 times per year)
• Ability to conduct physically demanding field work at night, in remote locations, over long durations, and/or in extreme weather
• Able to lift and carry heavy loads (30-50 pounds) during field work duties

Nice To Haves

• Experience with groundwater wells (e.g., types, common drilling and completion methods, construction elements, and yield testing) and able to interpret driller’s logs, well construction reports, or similar well documents
• Experience in hydrologic or hydrogeologic fieldwork such as evaluating the condition of groundwater supply wells, conducting pumping tests, measuring groundwater levels, measuring spring or stream discharge, collecting water samples, monitoring surface water or groundwater quality, conducting geophysical surveys, installing and maintaining data-logging pressure transducers and water quality meters, developing lithology logs for new wells, assessing flood risks, evaluating erosion and sedimentation issues, and conducting stream or floodplain surveys
• Experience with water stable isotopes and their use as hydrologic tracers
• Experience with using GPS or GNSS survey equipment
• Experience with compiling, processing, analyzing, and interpreting remote sensing data for hydrologic or hydrogeologic applications
• Experience with concepts and policies pertaining to water rights and Western water law
• Willingness to conduct physically demanding field work at night, in remote locations, over long durations, and/or in extreme weather

Responsibilities

• Research, compile, and organize data and information from various sources including state or federal databases and files to gather all pertinent information for the NPS groundwater, water supply, and water rights databases
• Develop, improve, and maintain the databases and associated web applications by adding new or updated information, increasing functionality, and streamlining database access in order to assist NPS with understanding park water resources and make critical information accessible throughout the NPS
• Develop maps and manage data using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, comparable alternative software packages, and/or programming languages to apply best available science/technology
• Track progress and present updates to WRD staff to promote adequate communication and expectation
• Review maps and literature to better understand hydrologic and hydrogeologic settings
• Perform office-based hydrologic or hydrogeologic investigations or tasks for various park units to assist WRD with satisfying technical assistance requests (e.g., analyze and interpret pumping and recovery test data to estimate aquifer parameters and develop sustainable pumping schedules)
• Perform site reconnaissance and record detailed field notes and observations to better understand and document well locations and hydrologic or hydrogeologic settings
• Perform camera surveys to evaluate well conditions and confirm or determine well construction details
• Collect GPS or GNSS survey data to document well and hydrologic feature locations and elevations

Benefits

• Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.
• With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level