What Do Hydrologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Hydrologists research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere. They also prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
• Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
• Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
• Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.

We asked Hydrologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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66% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 57% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Hydrologists coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians. They study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.

A typical day for a Hydrologist will also include:

• Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
• Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.
• Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
• Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.
• Study and analyze the physical aspects of the earth in terms of hydrological components, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and interior structure.

We asked some Hydrologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	65% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	23% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	50% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	12% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	23% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Hydrologists also answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology. They may also monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Hydrologists Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors. They might also Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.

In addition, they Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Compile and evaluate hydrologic information to prepare navigational charts and maps and to predict atmospheric conditions.

To some Hydrologists, it is also their responsibility to Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Hydrologist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/hydrologists.htm

http://www.usgs.gov/

http://www.aihydrology.org/

https://www.cuahsi.org/