Careers in Hydrology

Hydrology is a multidiscipline approach to the study of water resources. The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey provides the hydrologic information and understanding needed to ensure the best use and management of the Nation's water resources for the benefit of the people of the United States.

Basic Requirements

1. Degree--Physical or natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in 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 have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
2. Combination of education and experience--Course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Experience

Acceptable experience must have included performance of scientific functions related to the study of water resources, based on and requiring a professional knowledge of related sciences and the consistent application of basic scientific principles to the solution of theoretical and practical hydrologic problems. The following is illustrative of acceptable experience: field or laboratory work that would require application of hydrologic theory and related sciences such as geology, geochemistry, geophysics, or civil engineering to making observations, collecting samples, operating instruments, assembling data from source materials, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting findings orally and in writing. In some cases, professional scientific experience that is not clearly water resource experience may be acceptable if such experience was preceded by appropriate education in hydrology or by professional hydrology experience.

Qualifications for Hydrologist

• GS-5
  • Basic requirements as described above.
• GS-7
  • One year of professional experience in an appropriate field comparable in difficulty and responsibility to GS-5 level work in the Federal service; or
  • One full academic year, or completion of the equivalent of 30 semester hours of graduate education in an appropriate field; or
  • One year of appropriate student trainee experience of work experience in a cooperative work-study educational curriculum; or
  • Completion of all requirements for a Bachelor's Degree that meets one of the following:
  • Standing in the upper one-third of graduating class or major subdivision (for example, school of arts and sciences); or
  • A grade average of ``B'' (3.0 of a possible 4.0) for all courses completed at the time of application or during the last 2 years of undergraduate curriculum; or
  • A grade average of ``B+'' (3.5 of a possible 4.0) for all courses completed in qualifying major field of study at the time of application or during the last 2 years of undergraduate curriculum; or
  • Election to membership in one of the national honorary societies (other that freshman societies).

Starting Salaries

Entry-level positions for hydrologists are filled at the GS-5 or GS-7 level. The annual starting salaries for GS-5 and GS-7 as of January 1997 are listed below.

• GS-5 $20,459
• GS-7 $25,341

Benefits

• Salaries are commensurate with education, experience, and job assignment responsibilities. Employees receive pay increases based on performance.
• Thirteen to 27 days of paid vacation (annual leave) each year, depending on length of service. Thirty days of annual leave can be carried from year to year, once the leave time has been accumulated.
• Thirteen days of paid sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation of unused sick leave.
• Ten paid national holidays per year.
• Forty-hour (5-day) work week with flexible schedules permitting employees to vary their arrival and departure times.
• Group medical insurance, with many health plans available for selection. Cost shared by the Federal Government.
• Retirement coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) provides full Social Security coverage augmented by Federal retirement benefits and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Workers can invest as much as 10 percent of their salary in the TSP and receive a matching tax deferred contribution of 5 percent from the Federal Government. The government contributes 1 percent of salary to the TSP if employees make no contributions. Investment options are available, with opportunities to adjust investments and level of contributions.
• Cash awards for suggestions and outstanding performance.
• Education and training at Federal Government expense.
• Compensation for medical expenses and lost pay resulting from on-the-job injuries.

Special Employment Authorities

The U.S. Geological Survey is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All positions require U.S. citizenship. Veterans (VRA/30%DAV) and handicapped individuals may be appointed on special appointment authorities.

How to Apply

For more information on how to apply, see the Federal Job Search and Application Form at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/faqs.asp

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