Hydrologists and Hydrologic Technicians

The scientists who study water for the USGS work throughout the United States and its territories. Through cooperative programs with more than 1,000 State and local governments and other Federal agencies, the division’s employees fulfill its mission of providing the hydrologic information and understanding needed to ensure the best use and management of the Nation’s water resources. This is accomplished through the collection and analysis of data describing the quantity, quality, and use of ground and surface water, and through the conduct of basic and problem-oriented research.

Hydrology is a multidisciplinary approach to the study of water resources. Research and technical investigations in this growing field are performed by scientists schooled in geology, physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, or mathematics or various combinations of these disciplines. Their official professional career title is "hydrologist".

Hydrologic technicians perform a challenging variety of services in support of hydrologists. These employees study water and collect data on its quantity, quality, availability, and movement throughout the 50 states as well as in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. They use personal computers and sophisticated electronics, including satellite telemetry, to collect, interpret, store, and report hydrologic information.

Qualifications for Hydrologists

Basic qualifications for the hydrologist series, GS-1315, are a degree in physical science, natural science, or engineering, with at least 30 semester hours in any combination of hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must include at least six semester hours of calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least six hours in physics. Candidates may also meet the basic requirements at all grade levels with a combination of experience and course work as described above. Candidates who meet basic requirements will also qualify at the GS-7 level if they meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement*. Otherwise, applicants for positions at the GS-7 level and above must have additional professional experience or directly related graduate education.

Qualifications for Hydrologic Technicians

Hydrologic technicians may qualify based on education, experience, or a combination of both. For each grade level, the following qualifications apply:

GS-2: A high school diploma or 3 months general experience.

GS-3: An academic year of study beyond high school, including a course in engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology or math; or 6 months of general experience.

GS-4: 2 academic years of study including at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those listed for GS-3; or 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience.

GS-5: (a) Bachelor’s degree with a major in science, engineering, construction, or industrial technology or (b) at least 24 semester hours in courses such as those listed for the GS-3 level, or a year of specialized experience comparable to GS-4.

GS-6 and above: Candidates for hydrologic technician positions above GS-5 must have either related graduate education or additional specialized experience.

The USGS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, non-disqualifying handicap conditions, or any other non-merit factors.

*Superior Academic Achievement requires: membership in a national scholastic honorary society above the freshman level; or standing in the upper third of the class; or an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; or a GPA of 3.5 or higher for all the work in the major as computed on 4 years of education or during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

PDF version of this document. [PDF Help]