Hydrologists

information research data hydrology environment investigative scientific investigation surface water technical equipment environmental data

Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Hydrologist, Research Hydrologist

What they do:
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
On the job, you would:
  • Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
  • Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
  • Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics

Engineering and Technology

  • product and service development
  • computers and electronics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Achievement/Effort

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software

  • Data visualization software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • EnviroInsite
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Structure query language SQL

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about hydrologists.