Senior Hydrogeologist - Scientist 4

IdahoPTV; Boise (ID); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is hiring a Senior Hydrogeologist - Scientist 4 in Boise to provide statewide hydrogeologic support for groundwater quality protection and regulatory compliance. The role involves leading complex investigations, modeling studies, and cross‑divisional coordination.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in hydrogeology, groundwater modeling with WhAEM/MODFLOW, and the ability to translate technical data into actionable DEQ guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physical or biological sciences plus 6 years of professional experience.
• Master’s degree in sciences or related field with 4 years of related work experience.
• Doctorate with 2 years of related work experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and work experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide hydrogeologic support for groundwater quality protection, waste management, remediation, and technical support to DEQ.
• Design, manage, and report on complex subsurface investigations, groundwater monitoring, and water resource projects.
• Apply groundwater modeling programs (WhAEM, MODFLOW) to support regulatory decisions and evaluate water quality.
• Coordinate technical work across DEQ divisions and regions and mentor junior staff.
• Review complex hydrogeologic matters and provide recommendations on mining, waste, and water projects.

Skills

Hydrogeology

Groundwater modeling

Regulatory interpretation

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physical or biological sciences

Master’s degree in sciences or related field

Doctor of Philosophy in sciences or related field

Equivalent education and experience

Tools

WhAEM

MODFLOW

RAM models

Calculated Fixed Radius Models

Job description

Senior Hydrogeologist - Scientist 4 - 25928

USA:ID:Boise | Environmental Services | Full Time

37.00 - 40.00 USD per hour

Description

State of Idaho Opportunity Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

NOTICE: Due to a recent system improvement, if you have previously applied for a position with the State of Idaho, select Reset/Forgot Password and follow the prompts to access your account. For additional assistance, refer to the Candidate Guide located under Candidate Resources on the State of Idaho Careers page.

This agency currently does not sponsor employment visas. Only candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States will be considered.

Important Guidelines: Applicant resumes must demonstrate how they meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS listed in the job announcement.

Selection Process: Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this announcement. A select number of candidates who have demonstrated that they meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position and have the most relevant qualifications may be given the opportunity to be interviewed.

The Department of Environmental Quality may conduct verification of the information provided in your application, including validation of driver's license status, education, employment, and criminal history. Omission and/or falsification of information provided in your application will result in your removal from consideration for employment, appointment, or promotion.

State of Idaho Employees: When searching for a new career within the state, browse and apply through Luma Opportunities. Applying through the State External Career website will cause duplicate profiles and will slow the processing of your application for a new job. Internal candidates should always use Luma Opportunities.

This position may be eligible for a moving/relocation reimbursement. Moving bonus criteria must be met in accordance with the State of Idaho Moving Policy.

This position may be eligible for hybrid telecommuting in accordance with the statewide Telecommuting Policy. Telecommuting may be subject to successful completion of probation.

Position:

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is hiring a Senior Hydrogeologist - Scientist 4, for the State Office in Boise.

PCN 4187/ LPN 7075

Salary Range: $37.00 - $40.00

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide hydrogeologic and geoscience support for groundwater quality protection, waste management, remediation, and technical support to DEQ:
  • Serve DEQ as a senior hydrogeologic expert for statewide hydrogeologic support.
  • Support technical activity assignments across DEQ divisions and regions.
  • Design, manage, and report on complex subsurface investigations, groundwater monitoring, and water resource projects.
  • Analyze groundwater-vadose zone interactions, develop and use groundwater hydrology program models (e.g., WhAEM and MODFLOW), evaluate water quality, and guide environmental regulatory compliance.
  • Apply advanced hydrogeologic expertise to design and interpret investigations; review conceptual site models; support groundwater modeling; evaluate groundwater monitoring plans; interpret field and laboratory data; and identify practical solutions for groundwater protection, permitting, waste management, remediation, and regulatory decision‑making.
  • Provide technical review and recommendations on complex hydrogeologic matters, including mining point‑of‑compliance evaluations, mine site National Environmental Policy Act/Environmental Impact Statement submittals, solid waste landfill projects, managed aquifer recharge, hazardous waste projects, mining permits, remediation projects (including those under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act/Superfund), wastewater infiltration proposals, water reuse, and source water assessment delineations.
  • Perform source water delineations and related technical analyses of activities with the potential to degrade groundwater quality.
  • Provide statistical reviews of annual water quality monitoring reports and monitoring plan reviews.
• Provide technical implementation of the Ground Water Quality Rule and related groundwater protection decisions:
  • Provide expert technical interpretation and application of IDAPA 58.01.11, including groundwater quality standards, aquifer categorization and recategorization, degradation evaluations, beneficial use protection, groundwater contamination response, site‑specific groundwater quality levels, and mining point‑of‑compliance determinations.
  • Perform hydrogeologic evaluations and develop associated monitoring recommendations and technical reviews.
• Supports source water assessments and groundwater technical evaluations:
  • Provide technical support for source water assessments for drinking water sources and related hydrogeologic analyses where the Refined Analytical Method (RAM) or Calculated Fixed‑Radius Models are appropriate to be used, including time‑of‑travel evaluations, conceptual model development, review of modeling assumptions and outputs, interpretation of hydrogeologic data, technical report preparation, and statistical analyses.
  • Train groundwater technical staff in using the RAM or Calculated Fixed Radius Models for more complex delineations.
  • Assist and advise other groundwater technical staff, if needed, for arbitrary fixed‑radius, watershed boundary, and water body buffer delineation methods.
  • Perform periodic technical reviews and evaluation of groundwater wells under the influence of surface water.
  • Provide statewide consistency and quality assurance for hydrogeologic methods, interpretations, and deliverables.
  • Work with source water protection and groundwater staff to conduct potential contaminant source inventories and risk assessments.
  • Provide the Groundwater Bureau technical assistance on other groundwater quality related issues such as concentrated animal feeding operations, managed aquifer recharge projects, and groundwater rule interpretations and applications.
• Coordinate and support technical work across programs and regions:
  • Support junior hydrogeologist staff development. Mentor them as they pursue their professional Idaho geologist licensure.
  • Provide hydrogeologic support among State Office programs and regional offices.
  • Develop scopes of work for contractor provided professional geologist support and provides oversight of their work, if needed.
  • Provide statistical reviews of annual water quality monitoring reports and monitoring plan reviews.
• Represent DEQ in technical and interagency matters and support groundwater program planning:
  • Represent DEQ in meetings and technical discussions with regulated entities, consultants, local governments, other state and federal agencies, and the public.
  • Provide input and develop guidance and assist with program priorities.
  • Prepare and/or review technical memoranda, correspondence, reports, recommendations, and presentations on complex hydrogeologic and regulatory issues.
  • Communicate technical issues with diverse audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of physical or biologicalscientific principles, methodologies, and applications:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in the physical or biologicalsciences, or a related field and an additional six (6) years of professional experience designing and implementing scientific applications, investigations, studies such as chemical, physical, or biological monitoring, corrective action plans, analysis, and assessment,

OR;

Equivalent years of experience where two (2) years of applicable experience can substitute for one (1) year of college, and an additional six (6) years of related work experience, as defined above,

OR;

Possession of a Master’s degree in the sciences or related field; and an additional four (4) years of related work experience, as defined above,

OR;

Possession of a Doctor of Philosophy in the sciences or related field; and an additional two (2) years of related work experience, as defined above.

OR;

Any other equivalent combination of education and work experience as described above.

Education and experience should includescientific assessment, environmental protection and pollution control techniques, such as designing, reviewing, or implementing scientific projects, investigations remediation projects, monitoring projects; OR Organizing and interpreting laboratory and field data; performing activities associated with pollution prevention and mitigation; and recommending and overseeing the completion of remedial actions.

Required Specialty Minimum Qualification

DEQ 3120 – Waste

Registered Geologist as certified by the Idaho Board of Professional Geologists and in compliance with Idaho Code 54-2802; OR a registered Geologist certified by another state and eligible for cooperative licensing in Idaho.

You must identify your PG#, and State of issuance if other than Idaho, on your resume to be eligible for this position.

Required Licensure or Certifications

Professional Geologist (PG)

Optional Licensure or Certifications

Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI)

Desired Qualification

This position requires an in‑depth knowledge of hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, remediation techniques, and practical implementation of scientifically derived solutions. This person must have the knowledge to perform groundwater fate and transport modeling, aquifer characterization, and laboratory analytical data evaluation. The person in the position must have knowledge of lithology, soil science, and characteristics of aquifers in Idaho, and an understanding of Federal and/or Idaho regulatory requirements which pertain to assigned tasks. This position also requires knowledge of well completion techniques, investigative protocols for determining aquifer characteristics, and the development of hydrogeologic conceptual site models (CSMs). The person in this position requires advanced knowledge of procedures and protocols used in groundwater monitoring networks, environmental data analysis, establishing data quality objectives, and evaluation of quality assurance in the support of groundwater quality monitoring. This person should be knowledgeable of and proficient in the use of groundwater modeling programs such as WhAEM and MODFLOW and proficient in their use in delineating source water assessments.

The person in this position must have knowledge of data evaluation procedures, statistical analysis tools, and software used to analyze groundwater quality issues, track contamination plumes, and identify trends. The person in this position must be capable of evaluating the design of groundwater monitoring networks to identify and rank contaminant sources and adequately identify potential releases and movement of hazardous constituents.

This position requires a demonstrated ability to communicate professionally in written and verbal format and to clearly present comments and reports to peers, consultants, and outside agencies. This person must be able work with other team partners to coordinate regulatory and technical projects and, with supervision, negotiate path‑forward positions with agency counterparts. This individual must have the capability of supporting multiple and concurrent projects and activities. This position requires an individual with project management experience who is familiar with statewide environmental issues and has a demonstrated ability to interpret and discuss complex scientific and regulatory issues with a diverse variety of audiences.

3018AWater

Have successfully attained a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in either geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, environmental /civil engineering or a closely related field AND have a minimum of six (6) years full time work experience in geology, hydrogeology, or hydrology including experience in areas of aquifer assessment, aquifer protection, ground water contaminant transport and/or design of ground water remediation projects, ground water monitoring networks or the study of aquifer properties OR possession of a master’s degree in any of the previously listed fields and a minimum of four (4) years of full‑time work experience performing the previous examples of work OR have possession of a Doctor of Philosophy in the sciences or related field; and an additional three (3) years of related work experience, as defined above.

3023Water

Have at least four (4) years of full‑time work experience in remediation specific to groundwater pollution control such as investigating, monitoring and remediating groundwater contamination evaluating fate and transport of contaminants, applying short‑term and long‑term clean up technologies, interpreting and enforcing or complying with applicable state or federal environmental laws, regulations or permits.This individual must be capable of independently supporting multiple CERCLA/RCRA projects, fate and transport modeling, aquifer characterization, groundwater remediation, and analytical data evaluation. The person in this position must be capable of evaluating the design of groundwater monitoring networks to identify contaminant sources and adequately identify potential releases of hazardous constituents. Experience with, and solid understanding of, regulatory requirements, complex hydrogeological principles, and an ability to evaluate aquifer properties and laboratory analytical reports is necessary.

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodations)

• Ability to sit and work on a computer for 2-4 hours at a time.
• Ability to bend and reach for filing purposes.
• Some travel may be required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Eyesight needs to be 20/20 (as corrected) to observe field compliance.

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://statecareers.idaho.gov/pages/benefits

EEO/ADA/Veteran

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact [phone] (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [e-mail].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

About Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

DEQ is a state department created by the Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act to ensure clean air, water, and land in the state and protect Idaho citizens from the adverse health impacts of pollution. As a regulatory agency, DEQ enforces various state environmental regulations and administers a number of federal environmental protection laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The agency is committed to working in partnership with local communities, businesses, and citizens to identify and implement cost‑effective environmental solutions.

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