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Principal Hydrogeologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ITASCA North America

Principal Hydrogeologist

Denver, CO · On-site +1

$150K - $200K/yr

Principal Hydrogeologist ITASCA North America | U.S.-based About the role ITASCA North America is seeking a Principal Hydrogeologist to provide technical leadership, grow client relationships, mentor ...

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How much do principal hydrogeologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal hydrogeologist in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a principal hydrogeologist faces when managing multidisciplinary project teams?

As a Principal Hydrogeologist, you'll frequently coordinate with engineers, environmental scientists, and regulatory specialists on complex projects. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across disciplines, as technical priorities and terminologies can differ. Balancing project deadlines, client expectations, and regulatory requirements also adds complexity. Successful Principal Hydrogeologists leverage their leadership and project management skills to foster collaboration and maintain alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal hydrogeologist?

To thrive as a Principal Hydrogeologist, you need deep expertise in hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, and environmental regulations, usually backed by an advanced degree and professional registration (e.g., P.G. or C.Hg.). Familiarity with technical tools such as MODFLOW, GIS software, and groundwater sampling equipment is essential. Leadership, project management, and excellent communication skills help you effectively guide teams and engage with clients. These competencies ensure accurate analysis, regulatory compliance, and successful delivery of complex water resource projects.

What is a principal hydrogeologist?

Principal Hydrogeologists are senior-level professionals who specialize in the study of groundwater, including its distribution, movement, and quality. They lead and manage complex hydrogeological projects, provide technical expertise, and often supervise teams of hydrogeologists and other environmental scientists. Their work supports activities such as water resource management, environmental impact assessments, contamination remediation, and sustainable groundwater development. These experts typically have advanced degrees and extensive experience in geology, hydrology, or related fields.
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Principal Hydrogeologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Hydrogeologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Principal Hydrogeologist

Itasca Consulting Group, Inc.

Denver, CO • On-site, Remote

$150K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Principal Hydrogeologist
ITASCA North America | U.S.-based
About the role
ITASCA North America is seeking a Principal Hydrogeologist to provide technical leadership, grow client relationships, mentor staff, and help strengthen our hydrogeology practice across the U.S. and North America.
This role is suited for a senior hydrogeology professional with strong technical credibility, practical judgment, and experience leading complex projects. Mining experience is preferred, particularly in mine water management, groundwater characterization, dewatering, depressurization, seepage, closure, water balance, permitting support, and hydrogeologic support for mine planning and operations.
Why this role matters
Water is often a defining factor in whether mining, infrastructure, energy, and environmental projects can be planned, permitted, operated, and closed successfully.
As a Principal Hydrogeologist, you will help clients understand complex hydrogeologic conditions and translate that understanding into practical decisions. Your work may influence mine water management, dewatering strategy, groundwater characterization, permitting, closure planning, and risk management.
You will also play an important role in growing ITASCA North America's hydrogeology practice by building trusted client relationships, mentoring staff, guiding project teams, and connecting ITASCA's hydrogeology, geomechanics, engineering geology, and numerical modeling capabilities into stronger solutions for clients.
What you'll do
  • Provide senior technical leadership on hydrogeology, mine water, and groundwater-related projects.
  • Lead and review work involving conceptual hydrogeologic models, field investigations, aquifer testing, groundwater monitoring, dewatering, seepage, water balance, closure planning, permitting support, and impact assessment.
  • Guide or critically review numerical and analytical groundwater modeling, including assumptions, uncertainty, limitations, and implications for client decisions.
  • Translate complex hydrogeologic data into practical recommendations for mine planning, environmental management, water supply, permitting, operations, and risk management.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and senior client contact.
  • Develop client relationships, identify opportunities, and lead proposals, scopes, budgets, schedules, and project strategy.
  • Mentor technical staff and support high-quality project delivery through review, coaching, and knowledge sharing.

What you bring
Required
  • Advanced degree in hydrogeology, geochemistry, environmental engineering, or a related field.
  • Approximately 20+ years of relevant professional experience.
  • Proven technical excellence and sound professional judgment in hydrogeology.
  • Professional registration by a recognized organization, or ability to obtain registration where required.
  • Experience leading, managing, directing, and reviewing complex technical projects.
  • Strong experience with conceptual hydrogeologic models, field investigations, hydraulic testing, and hydrogeologic data interpretation.
  • Strong client-facing communication skills.
  • Experience mentoring staff and contributing to business development.

Strongly valued
  • Mining industry experience, particularly in mine water management, pit dewatering, depressurization, seepage, closure, water balance, permitting, and operational hydrogeology.
  • Established client relationships in mining, infrastructure, energy, water resources, or environmental sectors.
  • Experience developing and winning consulting work.
  • Experience with MODFLOW, FEFLOW, MINEDW, GIS, 3-D visualization, or data analysis.
  • Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Recognition in the hydrogeology, mining, groundwater, or environmental consulting community.

Why ITASCA
For more than 45 years, ITASCA has helped clients solve complex geomechanics, hydrogeology, and engineering geology challenges through technical depth, practical judgment, and innovation.
At ITASCA, you will work on challenging projects where standard approaches are often not enough. Our work combines field experience, scientific and engineering interpretation, advanced analysis, and state-of-the-art ITASCA software to help clients make better decisions.
We are a collaborative, collegial, employee-owned company where technical excellence, curiosity, mentorship, mutual respect, and shared success matter. This is a place for senior professionals who want meaningful influence with clients, colleagues, and the direction of a growing North American consulting practice.
Location and travel
This is a full-time position based in the United States. Preferred locations are Denver/Lakewood, Colorado, or Minneapolis, Minnesota, but other U.S. locations including hybrid/remote work options may be considered for the right candidate.
Travel will be expected for client meetings, site visits, conferences, business development, and internal collaboration.
Compensation and benefits
We value your contributions and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Competitive salary commensurate with experience
  • Performance bonuses (cash and company stock)
  • Health, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family
  • Generous paid time off from day one
  • Paid holidays
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid parental leave
  • Company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance

The anticipated salary range is $150,000-$200,000. Final compensation will depend on experience and qualifications.
Take the next step in your career and become a valued member of our employee-owned company. Join us at ITASCA, where innovation meets excellence!
ITASCA is an equal opportunity employer, a drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

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