Hydrogeologist Sr.

Full Job Description

Are you ready to make a real impact on Travis County’s natural resources and groundwater management? The Transportation and Natural Resources (TNR) Department is seeking a Senior Hydrogeologist to join the Environmental Quality Division; a forward-thinking team committed to protecting and enhancing the County’s environment through science-driven policies and innovative solutions. This hybrid/remote-eligible position offers an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive health, vision, and dental coverage, paid leave, a generous retirement plan, and access to a free employee and dependent health clinic. As the Regulatory and Development Review Lead, you will take the lead on groundwater-related permitting, evaluating water availability studies, hydrogeologic reports, and MGO applications, while ensuring compliance with County codes and guiding sustainable land development. You will serve as a key liaison with Development Services, groundwater conservation districts, and external regulatory partners, providing expert guidance on groundwater policy, streamlining permitting processes, and addressing technical questions from developers and stakeholders.
This role offers the opportunity to dive deep into cutting-edge hydrogeologic analyses and complex projects that directly inform environmental and development decisions across Travis County. Working alongside another hydrogeologist, you will form the backbone of the County’s groundwater team, sharing expertise, coordinating strategy, and delivering unified recommendations to the Assistant Director. You will lead team-based initiatives including regular strategy meetings, shared data dashboards, cross-training, and an annual Commissioners Court presentation highlighting program accomplishments and future priorities. You will also champion outreach and educational programs for schools and the development community, oversee special projects related to karst resources in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, and provide technical guidance on field studies. If you are passionate about groundwater science and management, this is your opportunity to shape the future of Travis County’s groundwater resources and ensure their protection, sustainability, and responsible use for generations to come.
Travis County Environmental Quality Program Mission: We are committed to a sustainable and equitable future by providing an array of environmental services for the Travis County community through monitoring, education, collaboration, and enforcement.
Our Culture: We value a culture that includes honesty, integrity, transparency, and respect. We support each other, collaborate, keep each other motivated, communicate, hold one another accountable, and have fun!

Distinguishing Characteristics

This job is in the Engineering and Architectural job family. This classification is distinguished by the specialization in hydrogeological work, and the scope size of project management duties and responsibilities, license as a Professional Geoscientist and required additional supervisory experience. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

• Oversees inspections and the evaluation of data for compliance with laws, regulations and specifications. Oversees and monitors studies on quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface water. Develops or uses hydrogeologic models for application.

Prepares and presents technical evaluations, plans and reports on programs and complex issues.

Prepares engineering research and administrative materials associated with groundwater availability, and develops correspondence, records, memorandums and reports, technical criteria, regulations, and guidance documents, attends meetings and training sessions, responds to inquiries and concerns from private and public entities, County officials, and County departments.

Provides technical review of plans, specifications, and estimates for various infrastructure with an emphasis on ensuring the adequacy of structural best management practices (BMPs) to reduce erosion and sedimentation associated with construction activities.

The scope of technical reviews includes development proposals by permit applicants for plats and County development permits, CIP facility, CIP and maintenance roadway projects, and County facility construction projects.

Analyzes and interprets environmental data to determine existing conditions, long-term trends, compliance with quality assurance requirements and permitting standards, and environmental impact.

Provides technical review and oversight over proposed plans and specifications for permanent BMPs that treat and store urban stormwater from roads, drainage, subdivision, and commercial development, to ensure projects sufficiently provide water quality protection in compliance with federal, state, and local (including Travis County Code, Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance, and municipal) requirements.

Provides technical review and evaluation of groundwater availability information during the subdivision and permitting review and approval process.

Evaluates technical data, analyzes findings, and develops recommendations for programs and projects.

Responsible for management of groundwater and geo-scientific data, including organizing data sets into databases, ensuring proper storage and retrieval of data, development of reports, and making data readily accessible to internal and external parties.

• Evaluates and analyzes water samples as part of field investigations and/or to validate data from automatic monitors.
• Researches and evaluates public water supply issues including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats. Interprets and researches laws and policies and delivers responses to the public and governmental agencies.
• Oversees project work and provides technical guidance, training, and consultation to staff.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Hydrology, Environmental Science or closely related field AND four (4) years directly related, increasingly responsible professional hydrogeological experience, including two (2) years of lead, supervisory or project management experience;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Licensed to practice as a Professional Geoscientist in the State of Texas. If licensed in another state, must

acquire license reciprocity in the State of Texas within six (6) months of date of hire.

Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Preferred:

ARCSA Accredited Professional.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, practices, programs, systems, methods and techniques of hydrogeology.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, practices, standards, policies and procedures.
• Advanced mathematical and statistical methods as used in hydrogeology and planning.
• Practical application of hydrology, water quality and water management techniques.
• Project management methodologies, practices and techniques.
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Recent developments and current research regarding hydrogeology.
• Methods, practices, and techniques of inspections, compliance and enforcement.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, maps, records, graphics, project scheduling and management, and other related hydrogeological data applications.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Scientific data management, collection and assessment of hydrogeological data and report generation.
• Applying modeling and statistical procedures in the development of conceptual and numerical groundwater and other models.
• Applying principles and practices as used in hydrogeology.
• Use of computers and related software and other standard tools of the profession.
• Drill supervision and well installation, preparation of lithological logs, aquifer testing, environmental sampling,
• Problem-solving and technical decision-making for developing effective solutions.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations and communicating technical issues in non-technical language.

Ability to:

• Plan, prioritize, coordinate, and oversee projects.
• Conduct inspections.
• Apply hydrogeological concepts.
• Plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Perform technical research, calculations, and computations, and prepare plans and reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, developers, engineers, contractors, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-60 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, mental effort, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and viewing screens for long periods.

Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, driving, repetitive motion, and client/customer contact to perform the essential functions.

Subject to contact with noise, vibration, fumes, foul odor, dirt, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation. Requires use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and gloves.

Requires fieldwork, and exposure to traffic, public work development sites, construction site hazards, climbing and walking and traveling over rough, uneven, mud, rocky, high grass terrain, water hazards and other groundwater conditions, and indoors/outdoors in all types of weather (excessive heat and cold).

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.
Location: 700 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)
Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.
For updates or questions on this position, contact: Victoria.Besa@traviscountytx.gov