Embark on a Rewarding Career as a Forest Service Hydrologist

Water is the lifeblood of our planet, sustaining ecosystems, communities, and economies. Across the United States, managing this precious resource is a critical responsibility. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is launching a national hiring initiative to recruit passionate, dedicated, and highly skilled Hydrologists. This is an incredible opportunity to work in some of the country's most spectacular landscapes, from the Sierra Nevada in California to the rugged wilderness of Utah and South Dakota.

Whether you are an aspiring environmental scientist looking to start your federal career or an experienced professional searching for a role with long-term growth, the Hydrologist position offers a direct path toward making a meaningful environmental impact.

About the Agency: The USDA Forest Service

A career with the Forest Service is more than just a job; it is a commitment to steward more than 193 million acres of the nation's public lands. From expansive forests to pristine grasslands and key watersheds, the agency's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these landscapes for present and future generations.

By joining the Forest Service, you become part of a collaborative team of scientists, technicians, and land planners. The agency conducts cutting-edge research across a national network of experiment stations and laboratories. The work environment is demanding yet deeply rewarding, offering limitless views, hands-on field research, and a supportive team culture that values diversity, professional development, and work-life balance.

Job Responsibilities of a Forest Service Hydrologist

As a Hydrologist, you will operate at the intersection of field science, laboratory analysis, and environmental policy. At the full performance level (GS-09), you will have diverse responsibilities that require physical stamina, analytical skills, and technical expertise. Your day-to-day duties will include:

Land Management Planning: Assisting in the development of long-term land management plans. You will evaluate how management practices, human development, or natural events impact hydrological resources.
Field Data Collection: Operating, maintaining, and gathering critical data from advanced hydrometeorological instruments. This includes measuring streamflow, water temperature, rainfall levels, and groundwater tables.
Laboratory Analysis: Processing sediment samples using gravimetric methods and performing other specialized physical analyses on water and soil components.
Quality Assurance: Developing and implementing quality control plans for laboratories. You will review data to discover anomalies and ensure that research studies are supported by accurate databases.
Software Troubleshooting: Writing, maintaining, and troubleshooting specialized software used in sample processing, data documentation, and watershed modeling.
Reporting Findings: Synthesizing complex data into clear technical reports and presenting your findings to senior scientists and leadership.

Education & Experience Requirements

To qualify for the GS-1315 Hydrology series, you must meet the basic educational standards set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Basic Educational Requirements

You must hold a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution in physical science, natural science, or engineering. Your academic records must show:

A minimum of 30 semester hours in a combination of hydrology, physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or water resource management.
At least 6 semester hours in calculus (including differential and integral calculus).
At least 6 semester hours in physics.

Grade-Specific Requirements

In addition to the basic educational requirements, applicants must qualify for either the GS-07 or GS-09 level through specialized experience or graduate-level studies.

GS-07 Level

Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. This includes routine tasks such as preparing charts, gathering and processing raw data, operating field equipment under direction, and assisting in report generation.
Education Alternative: One full year of graduate-level education directly related to the position, or meeting the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement during undergraduate studies.

GS-09 Level

Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level. This includes assisting senior hydrologists on complex projects, conducting water resource inventories, and establishing databases for management planning.
Education Alternative: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree (related to the position).

Qualification Comparison Table

To help you determine which grade level fits your profile, review this quick comparison:

Requirement / Feature	GS-07 Level	GS-09 Level
Starting Salary Range	Approximately $50,460+ (varies by location)	Up to $80,243 (varies by location)
Specialized Experience	Equivalent to GS-05 (routine data gathering)	Equivalent to GS-07 (program execution, analysis)
Education Pathway	1 year of graduate study or Superior Academic Achievement	Master's degree or 2 years of progressive graduate study
Task Autonomy	High supervision; routine equipment operations	Mid-level independence; inventory and planning duties
Calculus & Physics	Mandatory 6 hours of each	Mandatory 6 hours of each

Salary Overview & Work Locations

The annual salary for this position ranges from $50,460 to $80,243, depending on your entry grade level, experience, and specific duty station.

This national hiring initiative is designed to fill multiple vacancies across several key regions. During the job offer phase, final duty location determinations will be established. The current locations include:

California: Bishop, Chester, Fall River Mills, Hathaway Pines, Prather, Susanville, Upper Lake, Willows
South Dakota: Custer
Utah: Ephraim, Ferron, Moab, Monticello, Price

Many of these locations are positioned near major national forests, offering unmatched access to outdoor recreation, stunning environments, and close-knit local communities.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

As a federal employee with the USDA Forest Service, you will enjoy a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and personal well-being. These benefits include:

Health & Wellness: Choose from a wide range of premium health insurance plans, dental and vision coverage, and flexible spending accounts.
Retirement Security: Receive a guaranteed pension under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching.
Work-Life Balance: Earn paid annual leave (vacation) and sick leave starting from your first pay period, alongside 11 paid federal holidays.
Career Advancement: Access non-competitive promotion paths to higher GS levels as you gain experience, along with professional training programs.
Special Amenities: Some locations offer access to government-provided housing and employer-sponsored child care facilities.

Application Tips for Success

Applying for a federal job requires careful attention to detail. Follow these critical application strategies to maximize your chances of success:

Observe the Two-Page Resume Limit: The Forest Service has a strict rule for this announcement: your resume must not exceed two pages. Resumes that exceed this limit will be disqualified instantly. Keep your resume concise, impact-focused, and highly relevant.
Clear Course Documentation: Ensure that your college transcripts clearly itemize the required 30 hours of hydrology/natural science coursework, as well as your 6 hours of physics and 6 hours of calculus. If your course names are ambiguous, include course descriptions to prove you meet the basic criteria.
Address the Assessment Questionnaire: Review the questionnaire beforehand and make sure your resume explicitly documents your experience with the tasks mentioned. Do not inflate your skills, but make sure your real-world achievements are fully visible.
Confirm USAStaffing Document Transfer: When you apply via USAJobs, double-check that all your uploaded documents transfer successfully into the USDA's USAStaffing portal. Check for legibility and file format limits (under 5MB in standard PDF, DOCX, or PNG formats).

Is there a probationary period?

Yes, newly appointed federal employees must serve a one-year probationary period. During this time, your performance and conduct will be evaluated to ensure they meet the agency's high standards of public service.

Who should I contact if I have technical issues during the application process?

For inquiries about the job duties, you can reach out to Todd Butler at [email protected]. For general application system support, contact the HRM Contact Center at 1-877-372-7248 X2 or via email at [email protected].

If you have a scientific mind, a passion for conservation, and a desire to protect the country's most precious natural resource, a career as a Hydrologist with the US Forest Service is your calling. This position provides job stability, competitive pay, and the fulfillment of caring for public lands. Review your transcripts, tailor your resume to the strict two-page limit, and submit your application before the closing date to take your first step toward a rewarding, lifelong career in federal service.

Why This Hydrologist Job Matters

Protect our nation's water systems and shape environmental policy from the stunning peaks of California, Utah, and South Dakota.

Hydrologist Job Overview

The USDA Forest Service is seeking skilled and passionate Hydrologists to join their national hiring initiative. Operating within various beautiful regions in California, Utah, and South Dakota, these positions offer a unique opportunity to manage precious watersheds across millions of acres of public land. Applicants can qualify at the GS-07 or GS-09 level, with non-competitive promotion potential up to GS-11. In this role, you will analyze hydrologic systems, oversee field data collection, conduct sediment analysis, and maintain quality assurance systems to preserve vital water resources.

Requirements for Hydrologist

Must be a citizen or national of the United States.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service or be exempt.
Must successfully pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Federal payments must be made via direct deposit.
Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
Required to complete a mandatory 1-year probationary period upon appointment.
Must meet OPM's basic qualifications for the GS-1315 Hydrologist series, including coursework in calculus and physics.

Preferred Qualifications for Hydrologist

Prior field or laboratory experience applying hydrologic principles.
Experience operating and maintaining hydrometeorological instrumentation.
Familiarity with geological, geochemical, or geophysics principles.
Knowledge of software troubleshooting for sample processing and reporting databases.
A background in community or environmental volunteer programs (e.g., AmeriCorps, Peace Corps).

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.
✓Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) pension plan.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching contributions.
✓Generous paid annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
✓Access to employer-provided childcare facilities where available.
✓Opportunities for government housing at specific duty stations.
✓Non-competitive promotion potential to GS-09 or GS-11 levels.

💡 How to Apply Hydrologist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Hydrologist Job

Prepare a detailed federal resume that is strictly two (2) pages or fewer. Applications with longer resumes will be immediately disqualified.
Obtain unofficial college transcripts showing your completed degree, along with a detailed list of courses showing at least 6 semester hours of calculus and 6 semester hours of physics.
Prepare supporting documentation such as your DD-214 (if claiming veteran's preference) or CTAP/ICTAP proof of eligibility.
Log in to your USAJobs account and select the Hydrologist position.
Click 'Apply Online' to transfer your documents to the USDA staffing platform.
Complete the online Assessment Questionnaire, review your uploaded files, and submit your application prior to the closing deadline.

💡 General Tips

Adhere strictly to the two-page resume limit. The Forest Service will disqualify applicants whose resumes are longer.
Verify that your transcripts clearly highlight the 6 semester hours of physics and 6 semester hours of calculus required to meet the basic eligibility standards.
Describe your experience with action-oriented phrases that clearly match the duties described in the questionnaire.
Make sure you select and verify that your uploaded documents transfer completely from USAJobs to the USDA's internal staffing portal.
Enable email notifications on USAJobs so you receive critical application status alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply without a degree in hydrology specifically?

Yes. You can qualify if you have a degree in a physical science, natural science, or engineering, provided it includes at least 30 semester hours in hydrology, geophysics, physical sciences, chemistry, or related disciplines. Crucially, your coursework must include at least 6 semester hours of calculus and 6 semester hours of physics.

Is there a strict resume page limit for this role?

Yes. Your resume must not exceed two pages. Resumes exceeding this limit will be removed from consideration immediately.

What is the starting salary for this role?

The starting salary ranges from $50,460 to $80,243 per year, depending on the grade level (GS-07 or GS-09) and the designated duty station.

Does this position offer remote work?

No, these are on-site positions requiring field and laboratory operations. They are not remote or telework eligible.

Can I qualify for this job with volunteer experience?

Yes! The Forest Service values all qualifying experience, including unpaid volunteer work done through organizations like the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, professional societies, or community groups. Ensure this experience is properly documented in your resume.