Hydrogeologist

The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD or District) is a California Special District responsible for managing and protecting local groundwater resources for over 4 million residents. As a local government agency, WRD ensures that a reliable supply of high-quality groundwater is available through the use of stormwater capture and recycled water. 

WRD is seeking a hydrogeologist, engineer, geochemist, or other water quality specialist experienced in contaminated site investigations and remediation to assist the District with various projects and programs related to hydrogeology, groundwater quality, recycled water reuse, and environmental site investigations.

Working both independently and in group settings under direction of the Manager of Hydrogeology, the person will perform detailed tasks related to groundwater quality and contaminated site investigations, discovery projects for source area identification, GeoTracker and other database reviews for site updates and remediation progress, multi-agency cooperative efforts, and special projects related to groundwater contamination prevention and cleanup. Other projects related to recycled water reuse and permitting, groundwater monitoring, modeling, seawater intrusion, and managed aquifer recharge may also be assigned.

The ideal candidate will be both an excellent communicator and planner, able to facilitate and run meetings with regulators and others and represent the District at such meetings and have a strong background in analytical science or engineering and able to perform detailed and complicated technical analysis and reporting as well as present results in a non-technical manner to the general public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This multifaceted position will include a wide variety of activities across various disciplines including geology, chemistry, environmental, water resources, and hydrogeology.Assignments may include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with a wide range of groundwater quality programs, including the District’s Contamination Prevention Program. Staff will track and update the District’s list of high-priority groundwater contamination sites, provide written and oral updates to senior management, Board of Directors, and/or the Groundwater Quality Committee, facilitate multi-agency Groundwater Contamination Forum meetings, and coordinate activities with the Los Angeles Forebay Groundwater Task Force, among other duties.
• Lead District activities focused on groundwater contamination investigations, including plume investigations, mapping and GIS incorporation, modeling potential flow and transport pathways, design investigation programs including new monitoring well drilling and sampling programs, evaluate remediation technologies proposed by responsible parties, and interact with regulatory agencies to focus attention and action on priority sites within or near District boundaries.
• Assist District staff with wellhead treatment projects, evaluating impacted wells, remediation technologies, well profiling results, and capture zone modeling and analysis. Pursue State and Federal funding opportunities for groundwater contamination investigation, remediation, and wellhead treatment projects.
• Complete sections of quarterly permit compliance reports, including data analysis, graphical and tabular data preparations, data QA/QC, and report writing. Complete sections of the Regional Groundwater Monitoring Report on source water quality. Updated the Districts Water Quality Database with new regulatory limits (MCL, PHG, NL) and laboratory chemical code values.
• Track and manage NPDES permit compliance submittals for the District’s monitoring well and treatment plant discharges.  
• Manage on-call environmental consultants, tracking their project assignments, budget, schedules, and deliverables.
• Prepare high level technical reports that are comprehensive, scientifically based and defensible, high quality, and meets all deadlines. Includes analysis and preparation of Stiff Diagrams, Piper Plots, Plume Maps, Contour Maps, Cross Sections, Trend Maps, and statistical evaluations. Interact with GIS department to incorporate data into the GIS database and present intuitive and accurate maps. Use forensic hydrogeology and geochemistry to attempt to identify contaminant source areas and potentially responsible parties.
• Give presentations as necessary to the staff, Board of Directors, and others on project activities and outcomes. Monthly oral and written reports to the Groundwater Quality Committee will be required, with the topics and research performed by the successful candidate. Represent the District at various functions, meetings, and activities and report back to supervisor.
• Although rare, perform field work as needed, including water level measurement, sample collection, drilling and well installation supervision and logging, and aquifer testing. Document field activities and perform data analysis as needed.
• Mentor interns and junior level technical staff. Participate and provide input on project teams as the groundwater quality representative.
• Prepare and administer contracts for studies, services, and other efforts. Participate on consultant selection panels. 

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) from an accredited college or university in geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, environmental engineering, civil engineering, environmental science, or closely related field.
• Professional registration in the State of California; Professional Geologist (PG) and Certified Hydrogeologist (CHg).
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in contaminant hydrogeology and/or engineering, including knowledge of current investigation and remediation technologies. A strong background in geochemistry and experience in environmental site characterization a plus.
• Strong knowledge of California water quality regulating agencies and regulations related to contaminated site investigation and remediation.
• Excellent computer skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. Analytical and numerical groundwater flow and transport modeling, including Modflow and MT3D, a strong plus. GIS knowledge is a plus.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, data presentation, and oral presentation skills. Published and/or presentations at technical conferences a plus.

Compensation:The salary range for this classification is $126,877.00 to $185,808.00 yearly.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:Applications will be accepted until 08/22/2026. WRD reserves the right to fill or close the position at any time, before or after 08/22/2026.

To be considered for this opportunity please complete the application process for this position located at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wrd. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which will include a panel interview and possible written exam.

Final candidates must be able to prove legal U.S. residency, pass a background check, and a physical exam

The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.