Posting Detail Information
Working Title Database and Hydrology Specialist
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202301138AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate II
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $50,000 - $55,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees in the following University benefit areas:https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/. To see the value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visit our compensation calculator – https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/.
Desired Start Date 07/17/2023
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 07/14/2023
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
The mission of the Department of Geosciences is to achieve excellence in teaching, research, service, and outreach. The curriculum prepares students for careers in geosciences, including basic and applied research, and the management of geological resources, hence providing a comprehensive approach to the study of geosciences.
Research, service, and outreach activities emphasize physical and chemical earth processes affecting the Earth’s interior and surface, as well as human intervention to solve environmental and resource management problems. The department is a center for research and teaching in the understanding of geological processes, and the identification and management of geological resources and environmental problems.
Position Summary
The Water Resources Division ( WRD ) of the National Park Service ( NPS ) works to conserve, protect, and restore water resources in parks throughout the United States by providing assistance, expertise, and guidance for aquatic ecosystem stewardship and water resource management. In cooperation with WRD , this position will improve NPS’s understanding of the status and sustainability of park water resources primarily by developing a geospatial database of NPS groundwater wells.
Development of this NPS groundwater well database will involve researching, compiling, analyzing, interpreting, mapping, and/or presenting existing spatial, construction, hydrogeologic, water quality, water use, and water right information associated with NPS wells throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Development of this database will also involve identifying and satisfying significant data gaps through office- and field-based actions such as communicating with park staff, reviewing NPS records and state and federal databases, performing well video surveys, and measuring groundwater levels.
On an as-needed basis, and depending on experience, this position may also provide hydrologic and/or hydrogeologic expertise in support of investigations and technical assistance requests submitted by park units throughout the United States. Generally, such technical assistance requires collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of hydrologic and/or hydrogeologic information and data. More specifically, this secondary responsibility may involve various office- and field-based tasks such as reviewing literature, performing site reconnaissance, creating maps, conducting geophysical surveys, installing and maintaining data-logging pressure transducers and water quality meters, conducting pumping tests, analyzing and interpreting pumping and recovery test data to estimate aquifer parameters and develop sustainable pumping schedules, developing lithology logs for new wells, collecting water samples at wells and springs, assessing flood risks, evaluating erosion and sedimentation issues, conducting stream surveys and monitoring, and developing technical reports or presentations.
Most of this work will be performed in an office setting, but travel to various parks throughout the United States may be required periodically.
This position’s end date is estimated to be June 30, 2024. Depending on the availability of funding, the term of this position may be extended.
For more information about the National Park Service’s Water Resources Division, please visit https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1439/whatwedo.htm.
Required Job Qualifications
- Proficient in tracking and managing metadata and documents related to database content with Microsoft Office or comparable software products
- Demonstrated ability to follow written and verbal instructions (e.g., standard operating procedures for field equipment)
- Willingness to conduct physically demanding field work during the day, at night, in remote locations, over long durations, and/or in extreme weather
- Excellent organization and time management skills and attention to detail
- Available for short term travel (up to two weeks per trip)
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written forms
- Knowledgeable about groundwater and/or surface water hydrology as a result of previous coursework or professional experience
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain large geospatial databases and web applications
- Available to meet WRD staff in person in Fort Collins, Colorado, at least once per month (such travel costs may be covered depending on travel distance).
- Able to lift and carry heavy loads (30-50 pounds)
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate, compile, and organize data and information from various sources including state or federal databases
- (a) M.S. in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geology, Computer Science, Data Science, Geographic Information Systems ( GIS ) or related field or (b) B.S./B.A. in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geology, Computer Science, Data Science, Geographic Information Systems ( GIS ) or related field plus 3 years relevant professional experience
- Proficient in developing maps and managing data using ArcGIS, comparable alternative software packages, and/or programming languages
- Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
Preferred Job Qualifications
- Knowledgeable about concepts and policies pertaining to water rights and Western water law
- Hydrologic or hydrogeologic fieldwork experience such as evaluating the condition of groundwater supply wells, conducting pumping tests, measuring groundwater levels, measuring spring or stream discharge, collecting water samples, monitoring surface water or groundwater quality, conducting geophysical surveys, installing and maintaining data-logging pressure transducers and water quality meters, developing lithology logs for new wells, assessing flood risks, evaluating erosion and sedimentation issues, and conducting stream or floodplain surveys
- Knowledgeable about groundwater wells (e.g., types, common drilling and completion methods, construction elements, and yield testing) and able to interpret driller’s logs, well construction reports, or similar well documents
- Project management experience
- Experience with using GPS or GNSS survey equipment
- Experience with compiling, processing, analyzing, and interpreting remote sensing data for hydrologic or hydrogeologic applications
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category Office-based database development, improvement, and management
Duty/Responsibility
- Develop maps and manage data using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, comparable alternative software packages, and/or programming languages to apply best available science/technology
- Track progress and present updates to WRD staff to promote adequate communication and expectations
- Research, compile, and organize data and information from various sources including state or federal databases and files to gather all pertinent information for the NPS groundwater well database
- Communicate with park staff to collect and confirm the accuracy of well information
- Develop, improve, and maintain the NPS groundwater well database and web application by adding new or updated information, increasing functionality, and streamlining database access in order to assist NPS with understanding park water resources and make critical information accessible throughout the NPS
Percentage Of Time 75%
Job Duty Category Office-based technical assistance duties
Duty/Responsibility
- Communicate with park staff to coordinate travel and acquire park records describing water resources
- Create maps and develop technical reports and presentations to display data and communicate results
- Prepare plans for field investigations
- Perform office-based hydrologic or hydrogeologic investigations or tasks for various park units to assist WRD with satisfying technical assistance requests (e.g., analyze and interpret pumping and recovery test data to estimate aquifer parameters and develop sustainable pumping schedules)
- Review maps and literature to better understand hydrologic and hydrogeologic settings
Percentage Of Time 15%
Job Duty Category Field-based duties
Duty/Responsibility
- Collect GPS or GNSS survey data to document well and hydrologic feature locations and elevations
- Assist WRD staff with various other field tasks to better understand NPS water resources and complete technical assistance requests from parks (e.g., conducting pumping tests, measuring groundwater levels, measuring spring or stream discharge, collecting water samples, monitoring surface water or groundwater quality, conducting geophysical surveys, installing and maintaining data-logging pressure transducers and water quality meters, developing lithology logs for new wells, assessing flood risks, evaluating erosion and sedimentation issues, and conducting stream or floodplain surveys)
- Perform camera surveys to evaluate well conditions and confirm or determine well construction details
- Perform site reconnaissance and record detailed field notes and observations to better understand and document well locations and hydrologic or hydrogeologic settings
Percentage Of Time 10%
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than 7/14/2023 for full consideration at
https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/128680.
Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Each requested qualification should be addressed in the cover letter.
A Complete Application Consists Of
Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birth dates from application materials.
- References – please include within your application contact information for a minimum of 2 professional references.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
Search Contact William Sanford,
[email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,
[email protected].
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,
[email protected].
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,
[email protected].
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested 2
Maximum Requested 2
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Optional Documents
