1. Agricultural Careers Hydrologist By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Nina Maxey Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

2. Job Duties & Responsibilities Prepare maps of study areas and collect water samples Observe and collect data on both surface and ground waters Perform laboratory testing of samples Report findings formally to the science community in publications or presentations

3. Qualities and Skills Good health and physical stamina Ability to hike to remote locations in extreme weather (if needed) Good vision and depth perception Deep appreciation for natural resources and the conservation of resources for generations to come. Good communication skills and second or third languages may be necessary. The ability to lead and deal with others is also important. Computer skills are essential

4. Salary Median annual earnings of hydrologists were $56,530 in 2002, with the middle 50 percent earning between $44,080 and $70,160, the lowest 10 percent less than $36,790, and the highest 10 percent more than $86,620

5. Work Environment Most work will be done outdoors collecting data, mapping, or sampling Some office and laboratory work is also required Work week is typically 40 hours

6. Becoming a Hydrologist Many students graduate with degrees in geosciences or engineering, particularly agricultural engineering, and from there get involved in the field of hydrology. But some schools do offer specific degree programs in hydrology, especially with higher levels of education, such as graduate studies. It is possible to be a hydrologist with only a bachelor’s degree, but many supervisory positions and others with increased responsibility require at least a master’s degree for advancement, including a number of jobs with the federal government. Training in skills such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) is also becoming more and more important as use of technology in this field grows.

7. Career Resources American Institute of Hydrology 2499 Rice Street, Suite 135 St. Paul, Minnesota 55113-3724 Internet: http://www.aihydro.org American Geological Institute 4220 King Street Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1502 Internet: http://www.agiweb.org