General Description

Are you looking for work-life balance and the ability to work remotely up to 60% of the time? Are you passionate about water resources and environmental sustainability? Do you have a degree in geology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, geosciences, environmental science, or a closely related scientific field? Do you have two (2) or more years of hydrogeological experience that involved groundwater contaminant assessment and related evaluation and remediation activities? Then we’re looking for you to join our team as an Environmental Scientist, Geologist, Engineer, or Hydrogeologist!

The selected candidate will be hired as either a Hydrogeologist 2 or Hydrogeologist 3, depending upon relevant training and experience.

Starting pay for a Hydrogeologist 2 is $76,903.32 - $91,258.70 Annually.

Starting pay for a Hydrogeologist 3 is $83,478.98 - $100,326.72 Annually.

This position is regularly scheduled for 38.75 hours per week. Standard work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Hydrogeologist 2

This is intermediate-level professional hydrogeological work performed in the office and/or field for the Engineering Division. In addition to the duties performed by a Hydrogeologist 1, this position includes expanded responsibilities overseeing landfill monitoring budgets and City contracts, preparing Phase 1 and 2 environmental site assessments in-house, providing technical assistance regarding landfill monitoring networks, and managing the environmental impacts of City operations. Assignments are received from a Principal Civil Engineer or supervisor and typically involve formal submissions to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) or other agencies for review. The work is characterized by the application of expanded professional expertise encompassing both theoretical concepts and the attainment of procedural knowledge through on-the-job training and experience.

Hydrogeologist 3

This is advanced-level professional hydrogeological work performed in the office and field for the Engineering Division. This position is responsible for performing site investigations to evaluate the environmental impact associated with City projects, identifying locations for and reviewing the results of soil borings with regards to contamination, conducting field work, preparing and/or managing the preparation of Phase 1 and 2 environmental site assessments and other environmental reports for City properties and projects, providing expertise concerning groundwater, leachate, and other types of groundwater and soil monitoring and sampling, and identifying potential environmental problems and/or strategies for dealing with existing problems, providing technical assistance regarding the landfill monitoring networks, preparing landfill monitoring plan modification requests and other detailed landfill analysis work, participating as a technical advisor in cleanup negotiations, applying for and managing USEPA and WDNR grants to fund environmental investigations and cleanups, and providing assistance with enforcement of private Stormwater Management Plans. Assignments are received from a Principal Civil Engineer or supervisor and typically involve formal submissions to the WDNR or other agencies for review. The work is characterized by the exercise of technical and professional knowledge, the broader application of professional expertise and proficiency, and requires a high degree of independence, judgment and discretion.

The Hydrogeologist 1 - 4 classification series is structured to provide advancement from Hydrogeologist 1 to Hydrogeologist 2, as a function of the employee’s career development, but generally at most within two (2) years of starting employment as a Hydrogeologist 1. Progression to a Hydrogeologist 3 and 4 is not automatic, but rather is dependent upon the employee taking on additional duties and responsibilities as well as the needs of the department.

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Perform and/or Oversee Environmental Site Assessments

Perform site investigations for City property or projects (e.g., Right of Way (ROW) construction, dredging, building construction).
Review annual Transportation Plan for environmental contaminant concerns in ROW.
Review private projects for environmental contaminant concerns that may affect the City through Accela.
Perform and prepare Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessments for City Real Estate transactions.
Manage the City’s master services contract with environmental firms to prepare Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessments.
Serve as on-call field Geologist for Phase 2 subsurface investigations.

Oversee and/or Assist with Environmental Site Cleanups

Perform project management for City environmental cleanups.
Obtain Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant funding and manage grants through projects.
Participate as a technical advisor to cleanup negotiations.
Make recommendations regarding related City policies and procedures.
Participate in Brownfield Redevelopment studies and projects.
Manage logistics of contaminated soil excavation and disposal from ROW projects.
Sample construction dewatering as required by permits.

Special Studies and Stormwater Management Plans

Assist with Special Environmental Studies (i.e., perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), vapor intrusion).
Assist in enforcement of Stormwater Management Plans (SWMP) on private property.
Advise and assist with Dane County’s upcoming landfill expansion.
Attend Public Hearings or informational meetings to answer environmental questions.

Manage Permitting and Regulatory Compliance for City’s Closed Landfills

Manage data collection as required by WDNR for the closed landfills.
Prepare semiannual and annual WDNR reports and manage communication with WDNR.
Oversee landfill budget and manage contracts with outside agencies.
Conduct analysis of landfill gas, leachate, and groundwater monitoring data.
Prepare landfill monitoring plan modification requests for WDNR review.
Prepare WDNR requests for any construction activities on the landfills.

Perform Other Related Duties as Assigned

Minimum Qualifications

To Be Hired as a Hydrogeologist 2:

Two (2) years of experience applying the following:
- Geological, hydrogeologic, and environmental aspects of water, groundwater, and soil contamination.
- Hydrogeologic, chemical, and engineering principles controlling the fate, transport, and cleanup of contaminants in the environment from land application/waste disposal, spills, and/or unauthorized waste disposal.
- Environmental monitoring and sampling techniques.
- State and Federal groundwater and soil quality standards.
- State and Federal reporting and cleanup procedures/processes.
- Computer modeling and use of a Geographic Information System (GIS).
- Computer software applicable to the duties of the position.

-OR-

Two (2) years of professional hydrogeological experience equivalent to that gained as a Hydrogeologist 1 with the City of Madison; AND
Bachelor's degree with a major in geology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, geosciences, environmental science, or a closely related scientific field which meets the standards established by Wisconsin Administrative Code Section 712.03(1).

To Be Hired as a Hydrogeologist 3:

Three (3) years of professional hydrogeological experience including at least one (1) year equivalent to that gained as a Hydrogeologist 2 with the City of Madison.
Bachelor's degree with a major in geology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, geosciences, environmental science, or a closely related scientific field which meets the standards established by Wisconsin Administrative Code Section 712.03(1).

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

For the complete list of the knowledge, skills, and abilities, please reference the Hydrogeologist 2 and Hydrogeologist 3 classification specifications.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid Wisconsin driver's license.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to occasionally lift coolers filled with ice weighing approximately 40 pounds.
Ability to physically visit work sites and perform field work outdoors.
Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather.

*Payroll title for this position is either Hydrogeologist 2 or Hydrogeologist 3

Madison, City of

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Environmental Scientist, Geologist, Engineer, or Hydrogeologist*