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Groundwater Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Arcadis

Field Geologist

Knoxville, TN · On-site

You will oversee subcontractors, including drilling operations and the installation of groundwater wells. Additional responsibilities include remedial system operation and maintenance checks and ...

Arcadis

Field Geologist

Knoxville, TN · On-site

You will oversee subcontractors, including drilling operations and the installation of groundwater wells. Additional responsibilities include remedial system operation and maintenance checks and ...

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All JobsGroundwater JobsGroundwater Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

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See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$14

$29

$48

How much do groundwater jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for groundwater in Oak Ridge, TN is $29.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.24 and $32.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a groundwater?

A Groundwater job typically involves studying, managing, and protecting underground water resources. Professionals in this field analyze groundwater flow, monitor water quality, and develop solutions for water conservation or contamination issues. They may work in environmental consulting, government agencies, or research institutions. Common roles include hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, and water resource engineers. Duties can range from field sampling and data analysis to policy development and infrastructure planning.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in groundwater roles?

Groundwater professionals often encounter challenges such as interpreting complex subsurface data, dealing with unpredictable field conditions, and ensuring compliance with evolving environmental regulations. They may also need to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, property owners, and project developers. Collaborative problem-solving and adaptability are important, especially when working on teams with engineers, environmental scientists, and public agencies. Overcoming these challenges requires a mix of technical expertise, clear communication, and effective project management. Successfully addressing these obstacles can lead to valuable experience and professional growth in the environmental and geoscience fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the groundwater position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Groundwater Specialist or Hydrogeologist, you need a solid background in geology, hydrology, and environmental science, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with groundwater modeling software (such as MODFLOW), GIS tools, and field instrumentation is typically required, along with relevant certifications like Professional Geologist (PG) or equivalent where applicable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication skills are crucial for data interpretation and effective collaboration. These skills help ensure accurate groundwater assessments, regulatory compliance, and successful multidisciplinary project outcomes.

What are popular job titles related to Groundwater jobs in Oak Ridge, TN?

For Groundwater jobs in Oak Ridge, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Groundwater jobs near you
Infographic showing various Groundwater job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 83% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,756 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

Senior Groundwater Modeling Lead

EnSafe Inc.

Knoxville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Do you like working with different project teams in a fast-paced environment? Are you interested in joining an organization focused on making a positive impact? If so, we'd like to talk with you about growing with us.

EnSafe is expanding its national Hydrogeology and Modeling practice to support a growing portfolio of Department of Defense and commercial projects. We are seeking an experienced Senior Groundwater Modeling Lead to provide technical leadership for complex groundwater flow and transport modeling projects while helping build and grow EnSafe's Modeling practice.

Candidates should possess extensive experience in conceptual hydrogeology, groundwater flow and transport modeling, model calibration, interpretation of hydrogeologic data, and development of numerical models supporting complex environmental investigations, remedial decision-making, and litigation support. Experience developing custom analytical workflows, scripting, or coding to support advanced modeling applications is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will be comfortable developing and executing groundwater flow and transport models using industry-standard software such as MODFLOW, MT3DMS, and Groundwater Vistas as they are working directly with model input and output files to develop custom analytical workflows. The ideal candidate will also be experienced in writing custom code to support the pre-processing of model input parameters, post-processing of model output files, and automation of complex modeling workflows. The successful candidate will combine advanced technical expertise with leadership, mentoring, proposal development, and business development to expand one of EnSafe's fastest-growing technical capabilities.

Location: Flexible. Candidates may be based at any EnSafe office or, for the right individual, another mutually agreed-upon location.

Success in this role will be measured by consistently delivering technically defensible modeling solutions that achieve project objectives; expanding modeling opportunities through internal project teams and external client relationships, while building and mentoring a high-performing team of junior to senior modelers that are capable of working on a wide range of simple to sophisticated projects. Integration with EnSafe's Scientific Services, Technology, and Remediation teams will be expected.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
In this role, you will:

  • Identify new opportunities for modeling projects based on existing internal projects and new external opportunities.
  • Help to support EnSafe's highly specialized modeling work on SERDP and ESTCP projects for the Department of Defense.
  • Establish and communicate modeling group priorities, roadmap, and success metrics.
  • Serve as the decision authority for modeling projects including decisions on methods to be used and ensuring high quality work products are developed on every project.
  • Serve as a technical advisor, mentor junior staff, perform quality control reviews, and support the development of aspiring hydrogeologists.
  • Coordinate with other groups at EnSafe including 3-D Visualization and Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy (ESS) teams within the Hydrogeology Group.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
Minimum Skills and Requirements:

  • At least 10-15 years of professional experience conducting subsurface flow and transport modeling in an environmental consulting (or equivalent) organization.
  • Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in Geology, Hydrogeology or an Environmental equivalent
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects and teams, manage multiple priorities, mentor/supervise employees, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
  • Advanced skills in data analysis, report writing, and preparation of maps, tables, charts, and figures.
  • Experience using hydrogeologic modeling tools, including but not limited to MODFLOW, MT3D codes, and Groundwater Vistas. Experience with HYDRUS and/or FEFLOW is a plus.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills.

Why Join EnSafe?

  • Employee-Owned Advantage
    EnSafe is 100% employee-owned, with an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) since 1997. That means when EnSafe succeeds, you succeed too, turning company growth directly into shared rewards.
  • Commitment to Growth and Wellness
    The company supports personalized career development, mentorship, and employee wellness initiatives such as health tracking tools.
  • Purpose‑Driven Work
    EnSafe's mission focuses on impactful environmental, health, and safety consulting—making a real difference in communities and is backed by its long-standing technical credibility. 
  • Safety as a Value, Not Just a Service
    Safety is deeply embedded in our culture, prioritizing employee well-being in addition to helping clients maintain compliance. We stress that "safety is part of everything we do."
  • A Culture of Freedom & Ownership
    At EnSafe, our career philosophy is built on freedom. The freedom to take initiative, achieve your goals, and shape your own career path Employees are encouraged to pursue growth in a flexible, entrepreneurial environment. 
  • Challenging, Creative Work
    Workdays at EnSafe are anything but ordinary, fast-paced, dynamic, and filled with opportunities to tackle projects in environmental consulting, health & safety, engineering, and technology. Every day calls for creativity, innovation, and agile problem-solving.

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About EnSafe

EnSafe began as a two-person firm in 1980, navigating complex regulatory compliance issues on behalf of our clients. We nurture our people with growth and development opportunities. We build enduring, trustful relationships with each of our clients, with a focus on high ethical and safety standards. We build this reputation by attracting high-quality people and retaining them for the long term.

At EnSafe, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at our company.

EnSafe is committed to being an EEO employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age (except for bona fide occupational qualifications), sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military or veteran status, any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, or association with a person on the basis on one or more of the foregoing.

Check us out on the web at www.ensafe.com

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