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Junior Hydrologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Act as a subject matter expert and mentor to junior hydrologists and forecasting staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence. * Workflow Optimization: Evaluate existing ...

Act as a subject matter expert and mentor to junior hydrologists and forecasting staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence. * Workflow Optimization: Evaluate existing ...

Act as a subject matter expert and mentor to junior hydrologistsand forecasting staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence. * Workflow Optimization: Evaluate existing ...

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Junior Hydrologist information

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How much do junior hydrologist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for junior hydrologist in the United States is $26.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $33.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a junior hydrologist do?

A Junior Hydrologist assists in the study and analysis of how water moves through the environment, including rivers, lakes, and underground sources. They collect and analyze water samples, monitor weather and environmental data, and help prepare reports on water resources and quality. Junior Hydrologists work under the guidance of senior staff and may contribute to projects related to flood prediction, water conservation, and environmental impact assessments. Their work often involves both fieldwork and data analysis in the office.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a junior hydrologist expect in their first year on the job?

As a Junior Hydrologist, you can anticipate involvement in a range of foundational tasks such as field data collection, water quality sampling, data analysis, and report preparation. You’ll likely assist senior hydrologists in tasks like streamflow monitoring, groundwater assessments, and environmental impact studies. It's common to work closely with environmental engineers, geologists, and regulatory agencies, providing support on both ongoing projects and emergent issues like drought or flood response. This role offers an excellent opportunity to build practical skills and gain mentorship, setting the stage for career advancement within environmental consulting, government, or research organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior hydrologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Hydrologist, you need a solid background in hydrology, environmental science, or a related field, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with GIS software, hydrological modeling tools, and data analysis programs is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for interpreting data and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are crucial for accurately assessing water resources and supporting informed decision-making in environmental management projects.

What is the difference between Junior Hydrologist vs Hydrologist?

AspectJunior HydrologistHydrologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in hydrology, environmental science, or related fieldBachelor's or master's degree, often with additional certifications
Work EnvironmentEntry-level fieldwork, data collection, basic analysisAdvanced analysis, project management, research
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, environmental consultancies, research institutionsSame as Junior Hydrologist, with more responsibilities

The main difference between a Junior Hydrologist and a Hydrologist lies in experience and responsibilities. Junior Hydrologists typically handle entry-level tasks like data collection and basic analysis, while Hydrologists take on more complex research and project management roles. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Hydrologist position often demands more experience and advanced skills.

More about Junior Hydrologist jobs

What cities are hiring for Junior Hydrologist jobs?

Cities with the most Junior Hydrologist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Hydrologist jobs?

The most popular types of Hydrologist jobs are:

What states have the most Junior Hydrologist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Junior Hydrologist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Junior Hydrologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,068 per year, or $27 per hour.

Hydrologist

Lynker Corporation

Leesburg, VA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Overview
Lynker is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Hydrologist to serve as Lead, supporting Lynker government contracts, and our Lynker consulting team. As a senior technical authority on site, you will spearhead the experimental implementation of forecast systems, transforming mature research into operational protocols. You will act as a primary architect for bridging the gap between scientific innovation and real-time flood forecasting, while also mentoring junior staff and influencing future R&D directions through the Operations-to-Research (O2R) feedback loop.
Support & Collaboration:
The Hydrologist selected will also be backed by a robust support network. You will have direct access to the technical resources and subject matter experts at Lynker. This ensures you have the institutional backing, data access, and collaborative power needed to succeed in our high-visibility initiatives. The ideal Hydrologist for this position will be situated somewhere on the East Coast. This work is contingent on finalization and approval of an upcoming contract modification.
Responsibilities
Duties of the Hydrologist selected will include the following:
Strategic Leadership & Implementation
  • Spearhead Initiatives: Lead the design, testing, and operational deployment of
    advanced hydrologic models and forecasting techniques.
  • Strategic Liaison: Serve as the authoritative liaison between researchers, Lynker
    management, and client leadership; successfully negotiate and align research
    capabilities with operational constraints.
  • Model Architecture & Integration: Oversee the technical integration of new modeling
    systems into forecasting systems, ensuring robustness and reliability for critical public safety forecasts.
  • Advanced Analysis: Direct high-level data analysis and visualization efforts to validate
    model performance, ensemble forecast generation, and reservoir inflow predictions.

Mentorship & Technical Oversight
  • Technical Mentorship: Act as a subject matter expert and mentor to junior hydrologists
    and forecasting staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence.
  • Workflow Optimization: Evaluate existing operational workflows and author recommendations for modernization that enhance efficiency and forecast accuracy.
  • Publishing & Thought Leadership: Lead the preparation of high-impact annual scientific reports and peer-reviewed journal articles; represent the project as a keynote or primary presenter at national scientific conferences.

Qualifications
The Hydrologist selected should have the following:
  • Education & Experience:
    • A Ph.D. in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Atmospheric Science, or a related
      discipline, and 3+ years of experience; OR
    • A Master's Degree in a related discipline with at least 7+ years of specialized
      professional experience in operational hydrology or hydrologic modeling.
  • Operational Systems Expertise: Deep technical proficiency with operational forecasting
    systems and hydrologic modeling suites (e.g., SAC-SMA, HEFS, physically-based
    models).
  • Advanced Technical Skills: Expert-level capability in programming (Python, R) and data
    management for large-scale hydrologic datasets.
  • Leadership capability: Proven track record of leading complex technical projects,
    managing stakeholder relationships, and driving consensus across multi-agency teams.

The Ideal Hydrologist selected will have the following:
  • Ensemble Forecasting: Extensive experience with hydrologic ensemble forecast services (HEFS), probabilistic verification, and risk-based decision support tools.
  • Software Engineering: Familiarity with modern software development practices (version
    control, containerization) to streamline model deployment.
  • Mentoring Experience: Demonstrated success in supervising or mentoring junior scientists, with specific examples of guiding professional development.

About Lynker
Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.
We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities - creatively and effectively.
Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:
  • Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
  • Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
  • Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
  • Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - we're all company owners!
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
  • Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
  • Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
  • Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.
Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.
Fraud Alert: Recruitment Scam Warning: Lynker has been made aware of fraudulent individuals posing as Lynker recruiters and offering fake job opportunities. All legitimate Lynker job postings are listed on our official careers page. Communication from Lynker recruiters will come from an official @lynker.com email address.