Hydrologist

Hydrologist – U.S. Department of Agriculture – Forest Service

About the Position 

The Forest Service is a government agency that manages over 193 million acres of land from which 20% of fresh water originates. The rivers and aquifer systems managed by the Forest Service is the largest source of municipal water in the United States serving more than 60 million people. Their primary job is to protect and manage natural resources, perform research on water quality and quantity, and coordinate with state and local governments to protect and manage watersheds. There are different levels to government work based on background and previous experience. As a graduate with a bachelor’s degree, the highest level for entry is GR5, a master’s degree is necessary to move into the upper levels. This position relies heavily on field work to obtain data but also incorporates office work where data obtained in field work is analyzed to determine next steps.

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Question & Answer

How did you find this position?

This position can be located on Indeed or through USAJobs. The latter is the preferred method for applying to government positions.

What are the minimum qualifications?

The minimum qualifications for this position include completion of 4 years of study in an accredited university leading to a bachelor’s degree or higher within the previous two years of the closing data of the job posting as this position is offered through the Recent Graduates Program. Additionally, the aforementioned degree must have included a major field of study in physical or natural science or engineering including at least 30 hours of any combination of courses in hydrology, physical science, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources as well as alt least 6 hours in calculus and 6 hours in physics.

What are the preferred qualifications?

For this position, some of the preferred qualifications are the ability to gather, consolidate, and prepare data for charts, lists of study, and statistical tables, the ability to operate technical equipment or instruments to take reading and perform routine testing tasks, and the ability to assist in the preparation of study reports including assisting in the analysis of data and test findings.

What skills are important for success in this field?

This field is heavily related to science and math so those skills are important for success as well as the ability to work in teams, critical thinking skills, the application of knowledge and skills in real-world settings, the ability to communicate through writing, the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information in decision making as well as skills in civic engagement.

What might be helpful for a language major to prepare for this position?

Since this is a very technical field, expansion of vocabulary in the language of study into technical terms frequently used in this position would be extremely helpful to prepare.

How is proficiency in another language important in this position?

Proficiency in another language is important in this position for communication with other employees as well as constituents and those who have a stake in the work being done by this position.

How is the ability to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds useful in this position?

This is a position within the federal government so the ability to communicate in the native language with those from other backgrounds as well as the ability to understand cultural differences is important to the communication aspect of this position.

About the author

name: Kaitlin Herres

institution: Boise State University

I am in my third year at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho as a double major in Environmental Studies and Spanish. I am originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho and have been studying Spanish for 8 years now. I have been working with plants since I was a child and have worked for 6 years in greenhouses and garden centers. I am excited to graduate with bachelor’s degrees in both of my passions and start in the workforce.