Hydrologist: job description

Employers seek adaptable individuals with good technical ability and some degree-level knowledge and experience of mathematical modelling or data analysis

What does a hydrologist do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Hydrologists apply scientific knowledge and mathematical principles to solve water-related problems such as quantity, quality and availability. Hydrologists could work on finding new water sources, predicting droughts or floods and reducing waste water.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• studying relationships between soil and rock features, rainfall and water run-off
• using specialist computer modelling applications
• recording and analysing water resource systems data
• employing statistical and hydrological modelling techniques
• determining the most effective water management methods
• assessing the impact of environmental changes and land use changes
• predicting and monitoring rainfall, water yields and usage
• liaising with clients, consultants, water regulators, researchers, external bodies and other professionals
• managing on-site data collection
• forecasting floods
• producing water and drought management plans
• ensuring appropriate regulations are implemented
• keeping up to date with scientific and technical developments
• making presentations
• supervising the work of hydrometrists and other staff

Typical employers of hydrologists

• Environmental bodies
• The Environment Agency
• National government
• Regional councils
• Public authorities
• Water or sewerage utility companies
• Research and development organisations
• The Natural Environment Research Council
• Consultancies

Opportunities are advertised online, by careers services and specialist recruitment agencies, in national newspapers and in relevant scientific publications. Speculative applications are recommended – directories including Water Yearbook, the ENDS Environmental Consultancy Directory and Water UK provide details of water supply and sewerage companies.

• The recruitment process is likely to involve a technical interview. Read our article on technical interviews to find out what these involve and how you can tackle them.
• If you'd like to find out what your salary might look like, take a look at our article on how much you might earn in science on our TARGETcareers website.

Qualifications and training required

A strong academic background is essential for all candidates. You will need a degree in an appropriate subject, eg geography, engineering, science, maths, or environmental studies. A relevant postgraduate qualification is also beneficial, particularly for research positions. The British Hydrological Society, together with the JBA Trust, provides a small number of studentships to help towards the costs of an Msc/MRes in a hydrology-related subject at a UK Higher Education Institution.

Read our article on scientific postgraduate study to explore your different options.

Pre-entry work experience can be difficult to obtain but is helpful for entry into the profession.

Key skills for hydrologists

• Project management
• Problem solving
• Organisation
• Teamworking
• Communication skills
• Good computing ability
• Mathematical skills

Next: search graduate jobs and internships

• View our science and research graduate vacancies and internships
• Read our article on how to get a graduate job in science, research and development