SENIOR HYDROGEOLOGIST - NON-CLASSIFIED

State of Nevada (NV); Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Hydrogeologist Modeler role with State of Nevada supports water resource management by delivering expert hydrologic analyses and groundwater models guiding decisions by the State Engineer. The position leads technical evaluations of water right applications, reviews aquifer storage projects, and conducts field investigations across Nevada’s basins.

Ideal candidates will have strong modeling experience, communication skills, and the ability to present complex scientific information to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hydrogeology, hydrology, geologic or civil engineering, or related field with 7 years’ hydrogeology experience; or
• Graduate degree with 5 years’ hydrogeology experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform hydrologic analyses to support water rights administration.
• Develop and calibrate groundwater flow models.
• Review aquifer storage and recovery reports and monitoring plans.
• Evaluate conjunctive management of surface water and groundwater.
• Lead technical evaluations and communicate results to staff and stakeholders.
• Conduct field investigations including water level measurements and site visits.

Skills

Hydrogeology

Groundwater modeling

Data analysis

Communication

Field investigations

Technical reporting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in hydrogeology or related

Graduate degree in related field

Tools

MODFLOW

GMS

Groundwater Vistas

ModelMuse

PyFlow

PEST

UCODE

ArcGIS Pro

Python

R

Fortran

Job description

The Senior Hydrogeologist Modeler plays a key role in supporting Nevada’s water resource management by delivering expert hydrologic analysis and developing groundwater models that guide critical decisions made by the State Engineer. This position leads technical evaluations of water right applications, reviews aquifer storage projects, and conducts field investigations across Nevada’s hydrographic basins. Ideal candidates bring strong analytical skills, groundwater modeling experience, and the ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly to Division staff, stakeholders, and the public.

Applicants must demonstrate knowledge and skills in conducting hydrologic analyses to support water rights administration and water resource management, including proficiency in developing and calibrating groundwater flow models.

Strong communication skills are required to effectively collaborate with staff and management and to occasionally present information to the public and stakeholders on water resource-related topics. Applicants must be well-organized, self-motivated, and possess strong computer and quantitative skills.

Education and experience requirements include:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in hydrogeology, hydrology, geologic or civil engineering, or a closely related field, and seven years of professional experience in hydrogeology; or
• A graduate degree in a related field and five years of professional experience in hydrogeology.

The Senior Hydrogeologist Modeler is responsible for conducting hydrologic analyses related to water right applications; reviewing and evaluating annual aquifer storage and recovery reports and accounting; reviewing monitoring plans; developing and evaluating groundwater models; and collaborating with staff and management on technical analyses related to the conjunctive management of surface water and groundwater.

Additional responsibilities include conducting and coordinating water resource investigations and performing other duties as assigned. Fieldwork may include water level measurements, site visits, and inspections of projects with monitoring plans, as well as other activities supporting ongoing and future hydrologic investigations.

Preferred qualifications include experience with groundwater modeling using tools such as MODFLOW (via GMS, Groundwater Vistas, ModelMuse, PyFlow, or similar software) and model calibration (e.g., PEST or UCODE).

Applicants with experience conducting critical reviews of groundwater models, monitoring plans, and monitoring results are highly desirable. Additional preferred experience includes the design, analysis, and interpretation of aquifer tests, as well as knowledge of methods used to measure and estimate groundwater flow and watershed-scale water budgets.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint), ArcGIS Pro, and programming languages (such as Python, R, or Fortran) is also desirable.

The successful applicant will demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. A skills test or examination may be required as part of the selection process.