District Hydrologist - Hydrologist 3

Working Title: District Hydrologist - Hydrologist 3

Job Class: Hydrologist 3

Agency: Health Department

• Job ID : 93086

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes/Hybrid

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers. Open to bidders through 04/06/2026.

• Date Posted : 03/31/2026

• Closing Date : 04/13/2026

• Hiring Agency : Minnesota Department of Health

• Division/Unit : Environmental Health - Well Management

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift/8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - Up to 75% of the time

• Salary Range: $34.69 - $51.45 / hourly; $72,432 - $107,427 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit : Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Join a mission-driven team at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and help protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are seeking an experienced and self-motivated Hydrologist 3 to conduct inspections, conduct regulatory enforcement, provide technical expertise, and lead the program to evaluate wells supplying water to the public.

The person in this position provides support to both the Well Management (WM) and Drinking Water Protection (DWP) sections for statewide evaluation of public water-supply wells and other wells that serve Minnesotans ensuring public health and groundwater resources are adequately protected. The incumbent will work independently while collaborating with contractors, public water systems, local governments, and agency partners to promote compliance, resolve complex technical issues, and safeguard public health.

This is an opportunity to apply advanced hydrologic knowledge in a highly impactful regulatory role that supports environmental protection and safe drinking water across Minnesota.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct field inspections of well and boring construction, sealing, and repair to ensure compliance with Minnesota statutes and rules.

• Prepare inspection reports and documentation, investigate variance requests, respond to complaints, and initiate and participate in enforcement actions.

• Manage the program to evaluate conversion of private wells to public water supply and to evaluate private wells for Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) food production licenses, while serving in a lead work capacity to other staff.

• Provide technical guidance to staff, public water system owners and operators, contractors, local governments, and the public on groundwater protection and regulatory requirements.

• Participate in training, special projects, and emergency response activities, as needed.

MDH relies heavily on grant funding, in addition to state appropriated dollars. As an agency, we continually monitor funding levels and navigate some degree of uncertainty related to grant cycles and the impact of the grant funding on program priorities.

This position is currently funded and approved to be filled. While the position is funded at this time, future funding is dependent on the continuation of our funding sources. The Minnesota Department of Health works proactively to sustain programs and maintain or workforce to avoid reductions in force to the very best of our ability. In the event of a loss of funding resulting in a necessary workforce reduction, that process is governed by our collective bargaining agreements and compensation plans.

In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.

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:

Three (3) years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, geology, environmental compliance, groundwater protection, or a closely related field conducting technical evaluations, inspections, regulatory compliance activities, or enforcement actions related to wells, borings, water resources, or environmental programs.

Additional minimum qualifications to be assessed during the interview process:

• Ability to independently conduct field inspections, investigate compliance issues, and apply regulatory requirements to protect wells, borings, and groundwater resources.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for providing technical guidance to contractors, government partners, and the public, and for documenting enforcement and program activities.

• Proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities, including well evaluations, enforcement actions, and special projects, while exercising sound judgment in complex or ambiguous situations.

*A bachelor's degree in geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, geophysics, geological engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related field will substitute for one (1) year of professional experience.

*A master's degree in geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, geophysics, geological engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related field will substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience.

*A doctoral degree in geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, geophysics, geological engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or closely related will substitute for two (2) years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in hydrogeology, geology, environmental engineering, or a related field.

• Experience interpreting and applying Minnesota statutes and rules related to well and boring construction, licensing, and groundwater protection.

• Demonstrated experience conducting regulatory inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions in a technical or environmental program.

• Knowledge of hydrogeology, groundwater sampling, water quality analysis, and geologic investigation techniques, with the ability to clearly communicate technical information to contractors, government partners, and the public, including developing training or educational materials.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors during all seasons.

• Ability to lift as much as 20 pounds for short time periods.

• Abllity to frequently lift from ground to waist height, and from waist to shoulder height.

• Ability to walk on even/uneven or sloping ground, including snow covered ground, for up to a mile.

• Ability to perform gross and fine motor tasks, sometimes with unprotected fingers and hands, in varying indoor/outdoor temperature extremes.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.

• This position does not require a driver's license however it does demand travel which the candidate is responsible for meeting.

• Under U.S Citizen and Immigration Services regulations, the successful candidate must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins. This agency is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.