Hydrologic Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4044
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, ESRI ArcGIS software, Geographic information system GIS systems, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Datasurge GEOPRO

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Hydrologists
• Water/Wastewater Engineers
• Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
• Water Resource Specialists
• Conservation Scientists
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Hydrologic Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.