Weather and Water Monitoring Hydrologist

This position will provide technical assistance, including installation, operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment, and support data collection and management for the Minnesota Agricultural Weather Network. This position will also aid with the coordination and collection of water quality samples from groundwater, surface water, and edge-of-field agricultural monitoring stations for the assessment of the impacts of agricultural chemicals on water resources in Minnesota. This position will also be responsible for reviewing, compiling, managing, and reporting data. This position will be based in the Rochester MDA Office and will be a member of the Surface Water Monitoring Unit.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Successful completion of at least two college level courses in meteorology, hydrology, hydrogeology, soil science, contaminant transport, earth science, water quality methods, or closely related courses. All applicants who are invited to interview may be required to submit a copy of their college transcript(s) prior to the interview.

Knowledge to install, maintain, or troubleshoot weather or water quality monitoring equipment, in rugged terrain.

Knowledge of common water quality sample collection methods, including the collection of groundwater or surface water samples.

A working knowledge and demonstrated ability to use common computer software used in scientific work including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, GIS and statistical software.

The ability to communicate one-on-one, write clear and concise technical reports, and represent MDA before a variety of groups relative to social, economic and environmental issues.

The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.

Preferred Qualifications

A bachelor’s or advanced degree in geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, meteorology, environmental science, or a closely related degree.

Strong organizational, leadership, problem-solving, and project coordination skills.

Experience with the installation and maintenance of weather and water quality monitoring equipment including data loggers and sensors. 

A demonstrated ability of basic wiring, simple construction, troubleshooting, jobsite safety, trailer loading and towing, and experience using common tools. 

Experience related to completing specific tasks following established protocols including the installation of monitoring equipment installation and water quality sample collection.

Direct experience (including farming experience) or significant training in use and management of pesticides or inorganic fertilizers in an agricultural setting.

Practical experience developing and managing large data sets that could be used to conduct GIS analysis and/or climatic or hydrological modeling.

Physical Requirements

This position requires difficult physically demanding labor, long workdays, outdoor work in sometimes harsh conditions, and strict attention to details and protocol. This position requires heavy lifting, digging with shovels, building structures to deploy monitoring equipment with basic hand tools, assembling/troubleshooting equipment and sensors, negotiating trails through wooded, overgrown, or otherwise obstructed pathways which may be flat, but are also likely to be quite steep and occasionally rocky and muddy. This position requires work in physically challenging environments including cold, windy, wet, and snowy conditions during winter months, as well as rainy, hot or humid conditions in the summer. The person in this position must be capable of functioning to a high level of precision and accuracy in adverse weather conditions. The incumbent must be able to independently maintain weather stations and collect water samples in any season.