Working Title: Wellhead Protection Hydrologist

Job Class: Hydrologist 3

Agency: Health Department

- Job ID: 97373
- Location: St. Paul
- Telework Eligible: Yes, hybrid
- Full/Part Time: Full-Time
- Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
- Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers. Open to bidders through 11/05/2026.
- Date Posted: 10/30/2026
- Closing Date: 11/19/2026
- Hiring Agency: Health Department
- Division: Environmental Health
- Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Days of Work: Monday - Friday
- Travel Required: Yes - Up to 25% of the time
- Salary Range: $35.30 - $52.35 / hourly; $73,706 - $109,306 / annually
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
- FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job. At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities. Join a mission-driven team at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and help protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans. As a Wellhead Protection Hydrologist in the Source Water Protection (SWP) Unit in Environmental Health, you will ensure public water systems have accurately delineated wellhead protection areas and vulnerability assessments in compliance with state wellhead protection rules. You will also provide technical leadership by mentoring staff to ensure scientific consistency across the unit and represent MDH in technical forums.

In addition, you will provide technical expertise for complex inquiries and projects related to the mitigation of drinking water supply problems as they relate to public health groundwater protection. Further, the successful incumbent will conduct alternate source evaluations, environmental reviews, potential contaminant source inventories, lead or participate in technical studies, and coordinate wellhead protection plan implementation activities, primarily in central Minnesota.

This is an opportunity to apply advanced hydrologic knowledge in a highly impactful role that supports environmental protection and safe drinking water across Minnesota.

Primary Responsibilities

- Ensure current wellhead protection plans exist for all relevant public water supply wells within assigned area, including delineating wellhead protection areas and drinking water supply management areas (DWSMAs) and conducting vulnerability assessments for public water supply wells and DWSMAs, as specified under the State wellhead protection rules.
- Assist public water suppliers with implementation of hydrogeologic aspects of their wellhead protection plans.
- Provide senior-level technical leadership and representation for broader aquifer protection efforts outside of DWSMAs, via efforts such as Groundwater Restoration and Protection Strategies (GRAPS) and One Watershed, One Plan. Maintain familiarity with, and provide support as appropriate for, Source Water Protection's surface water protection program.
- Respond to inquiries concerning the wellhead protection program and drinking water supply problems as they relate to public health and groundwater protection and perform public outreach functions of the program.
- Assist public water suppliers and other MDH staff in evaluating the suitability of new well sites.

In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state. MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. Minimum Qualifications To facilitate proper years of service crediting,



please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held: Three (3) years of experience in groundwater hydrology including two or more of the following:

- Hydrogeologic site characterization and assessment in fractured bedrock and glacial deposit settings.
- Interpretation of well and borehole records and groundwater chemistry relevant to crystalline bedrock or glacial aquifers.
- Preparation of technical reports related to groundwater issues typical of central Minnesota, such as glacial and buried-sand aquifer systems, till-dominated landscapes, localized fractured bedrock settings, and surface water and groundwater interactions.
- Groundwater modeling, including conceptual and numerical models applicable to heterogeneous glacial aquifers and bedrock systems.

AND
- Registered Professional Geologist or Engineer in Minnesota or initiate the process for licensure within 12 months of hire.
- A bachelor’s degree in geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, geophysics, geological engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related field will substitute for one (1) year of professional experience.
- A master’s degree in geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, geophysics, geological engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related field will substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience.
- A doctoral degree in geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, geophysics, geological engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or closely related will substitute for two (2) years of experience.

Additional minimum qualifications to be assessed during the interview process:

- Ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing, to convey complex hydrogeological concepts and data to diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and to organize work to address numerous competing priorities.
- Intermediate skills in using Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

- Advanced degree in hydrogeology, geology, hydrology, geophysics, geographical engineering, civil engineering, or closely related field.
- Familiarity with central Minnesota's geologic formations and hydrologic systems, including glacial sediments, buried and surficial sand aquifers, till-dominated landscapes, and localized fractured bedrock settings, and the ability to conduct fieldwork in support of hydrogeologic investigations, including groundwater sampling, monitoring well installation oversight, aquifer testing, and geological and hydrogeologic mapping.
- Ability to apply hydrogeologic principles in practical settings, develop and validate conceptual hydrogeologic models, evaluate aquifer and confining unit characteristics, and analyze contaminant fate and transport in fractured bedrock or heterogeneous glacial systems.
- Ability to interpret geologic maps, cross-sections, and drill core data to assess groundwater flow paths and identify potential aquifer vulnerabilities in fractured bedrock and glacial environments.
- Strong familiarity with geographical information systems (GIS) software such as ArcGIS or QGIS.

Physical Requirements

- Ability to work outdoors during all seasons.
- Ability to lift as much as 20 pounds for short time periods.
- Ability to frequently lift from ground to waist height, and from waist to shoulder height.
- Ability to walk on even/uneven or sloping ground, including snow covered ground, for up to a mile.
- Ability to perform gross and fine motor tasks, sometimes with unprotected fingers and hands, in varying indoor/outdoor temperature extremes.

Additional Requirements

- This position may require the employee to have a flexible schedule to be able to accommodate travel.
- This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
- This position does not require a driver's license; however, it does demand travel which the candidate is responsible for meeting.

How To Apply Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at (phone hidden) or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact





If you have questions about this position, contact Laura Jones at [email protected] or (phone hidden).

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Laura Jones at [email protected].

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at [email protected].

About Health Department

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity and job satisfaction.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

- A sense of purpose in their work
- Connection with their coworkers and communities
- Opportunities for personal and qualified growth

Benefits As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your Benefits May Include

- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
- Diabetes care
- Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children

- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
- Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
- Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
- Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support To Help You Reach Your Career Goals

- Training, classes, and professional development.
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov).

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) For Work/life Support

- A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
- Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
- Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at (phone hidden) or email [email protected] and let us know the support you need.

📌 Wellhead Protection Hydrologist - Hydrologist 3 (Saint-Paul Parish)
🏢 Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment
📍 Saint-Paul Parish