Hydrogeologist, Early-Career

"POSITION

Hydrogeologist, Early-Career

Full-time, Exempt

Practice Director

Santa Barbara, CA
-or
- Morro Bay, CA (hybrid position)

$65,000.00 – $85,000.00 (exclusive of bonuses and other rewards)

While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

GSI Water Solutions is an employee‑owned consulting firm specializing groundwater, environmental, and water resources with offices in Oregon, Washington, and California. We treat employees with respect and fairness and strive for all team members to feel they belong, have valuable insights, and can grow with us. We value work‑life balance and are open to flexible work and scheduling arrangements.

As hydro geologists, engineers, environmental scientists, and water experts, we help protect our shared natural resources by developing and managing groundwater resources and ensuring long‑term sustainability and reliability. We have championed aquifer storage and recovery technologies to save water for drought conditions and provide environmental benefits to fish and streams affected by development and climate change.

Learn more on our website:

Early‑Career Hydrogeologists work closely with mid‑ and senior‑level project managers, providing essential technical support in data collection, data analysis, reporting, and collaborative problem solving related to water resources and water supply development. They gain hands‑on experience conducting field investigations and drilling activities and help coordinate contractors, laboratories, and vendors under guidance from senior staff. As experience grows, this early‑career position may take on additional responsibilities aimed at developing project‑management skills.

• Collect hydrogeologic data, including aquifer test data and soil, water, and geologic samples.
• Maintain accurate records of field observations, data collection activities, and data from laboratory analyses.
• Write technical field reports and assist in the preparation of technical reports, figures, and graphs.
• Oversee field explorations, drilling activities, and water well construction projects.
• Coordinate scheduling and communication with well owners, laboratories, and other parties.
• Perform routine technical analyses with supervision and oversight.
• Research and review published geologic reports, papers, and literature.
• May participate in project management tasks such as project budgeting and proposal writing.
• May manage smaller projects or assist with tasks on larger projects to develop project‑management skills.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Typical ways to obtain the required knowledge and abilities include:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, hydrogeology, geology, engineering or related field plus a minimum of 1 year of professional experience;
• -OR- a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, hydrogeology, geology, engineering, or related field plus a minimum of 3 years of professional experience.

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every qualification listed. We value potential, transferable skills, and a willingness to learn. Many qualified candidates, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the criteria. We’re interested in the whole person, not just a checklist.

• Professional geologist or certified hydrogeologist license within the state that work will be performed is preferred.
• Current and valid driver's license and clean driving record.

• Experience in water resources planning, water supply development, and/or groundwater management in California.
• Advanced coursework in hydrogeology.
• Experience in groundwater supply, municipal production well design, construction, and testing,…