Career Description
A love of nature, passion for the environment and concern for how precious water resources are monitored and maintained are just some of the characteristics of Hydrologic Technicians. Managing water in lakes, rivers, and oceans, among others, requires dedication and skill. Ignorance in the care and maintenance of these water sources can lead to much larger repercussions, making Hydrologic Technicians vital to the health and sustainability of water resources.
One great aspect of a career as a Hydrologic Technician is that in order to monitor water, you have to be where the water is! This means many professionals spend most of their time working outside in the field, and not a lot of time sitting behind a desk or in a cramped cubicle.
Hydrologic Technicians primary job duties are to monitor the quality and quantity of surface and ground water, take samples and flow measurements, install gauges and survey cross sections of water ways. Data is then recorded and analyzed to determine if the water meets national and state standards, and for historical records.
To succeed in this career, you will need to acquire science and math skills as well as a thorough knowledge of the water cycle, water movement, and national and state water standards. Upon graduation, you can find ready employment with organizations such as the United States Geological Survey, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, flood control organizations, private consultants and municipalities.
Employment Outlook
With ever-increasing population and a constant struggle to preserve quantity and quality of water, particularly in the Southwest of the United States, careers in Hydrology are in demand nationwide. In Arizona, Hydrologic Technician positions are expected to increase 10% or more in the next 10 years. Hydrologic Technicians earn an average of $15.20 to $42.97 an hour for an average salary of $31,610 to $85,940 a year.