Hydrologic Technicians — Tasks

Task statements

• 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.
• Prepare, install, maintain, or repair equipment used for hydrologic study, such as water level recorders, stream flow gauges, and water analyzers.
• Provide real time data to emergency management and weather service personnel during flood events.
• Write groundwater contamination reports on known, suspected, or potential hazardous waste sites.
• Write materials for research publications, such as maps, tables, and reports, to disseminate findings.