Job Details

Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Environmental Management, Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater, Groundwater Section, is currently recruiting to fill a Groundwater Quality Specialist vacancy headquartered in Madison, WI. The position allows for telework in accordance with the Departments telework policy and will be discussed in further detail during the interview stage. Telework availability is based on business needs and is subject to change.

This recruitment may also be used to fill future permanent, project and/or LTE vacancies.

What We Offer: This is an excellent opportunity to start a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR . Our employees have access to an excellent comprehensive benefit and compensation package,that includes paid time off so you can truly have a work/life balance! If you have student loans and work full-time in a public service job (like this one!) you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. To learn more about the state's complete compensation package, please visit Employee Trust Fund's Total Rewards Calculator!

The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our citizenry. Click here to see what working for the State of Wisconsin is all about!

Position Summary

The Groundwater Quality Specialist (Hydrogeologist - Advanced) serves as the statewide technical authority on complex and sensitive hydrogeological issues involving groundwater contaminants. This position exercises significant scientific independence, judgment, and creativity, playing a pivotal role in shaping Department actions, policies, and regulatory decisions with broad impact. Responsibilities include leading advanced investigations of multiple contaminants in Wisconsin's groundwater and providing expert technical and policy guidance to stakeholders such as well drillers, local government officials, and agency personnel. This role advises on well construction standards, contaminant fate and transport within aquifers, and the interpretation of groundwater monitoring data. Additionally, this position develops and coordinates policies in accordance with Department, State, and Federal groundwater laws and regulations. It serves as a reviewer of well construction applications and ensures compliance with state rules governing monitoring well construction, upholding technical standards and program priorities. This role significantly contributes to policy development, rulemaking, source water protection, and infrastructure planning.

For more information, please see the Position Description .

Salary Information

Starting pay for this position is between $37.00 to $40.00 per hour (or $76,960 to $83,200 annually), in addition to excellent benefits. This position is included in the classification Hydrogeologist-Adv within Pay Schedule/Range 15-03.

The State of Wisconsin offers an exemplary benefits package with:

• Generous paid time off , including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
• Excellent and affordable health insurance options (starting at $34/month for single and $83/month for family coverage).
• Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
• A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• A Well Wisconsin program , offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.
• For more info, see our Total Rewards Calculator.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

Job Details

Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Eligibility to work in United States : The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

Probation: A 12-month probationary period may be required.

Reference Check: References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process.

Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR remote work policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs. Employees with approved remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin.

Driver License Requirement: The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment and meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age with 2 years driving experience. Candidates with three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years, or who have an OWI/DUE violation within the past year are not eligible to drive state vehicles.

Physical/ Environmental Factors: This position performs sedentary work (occasional lifting of up to 15 pounds) about 95% over a year's time. Light work (infrequent lifting of up to 50 pounds) about 5% over a year's time.

This position will spend most of the time in an office setting or in meetings. Regular activities include talking, hearing, seeing, handling paper, sitting, and walking. The position will also occasionally spend time standing, carrying, lifting, reaching, climbing, bending at the waist, kneeling, and crouching.

Most of the activities of this position occur primarily inside. This position will occasionally require outdoor field work including carrying light equipment from storage to a vehicle or carrying equipment from a vehicle to a site. During outdoor activities, the incumbent could be exposed to extreme cold (temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of several work weeks or more), and possibly extreme heat (temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour). There may be situations involving sufficient noise to cause the employee to shout in order to be heard. There may be exposure to hazards near drilling sites such as unstable surfaces (i.e., rocks, silt, mud), moving mechanical parts and/or conditions that affect the respiratory system or skin, such as fumes or odors, that could result in bodily injury.

Travel: Some travel is required, including occasional overnight stays.

Qualifications

Please make sure to describe and provide detailed examples within your resume and/or letter of qualifications for EACH of the following qualifications you meet.

Required qualifications include experience in ALL the following criteria:

• Education, training, or experience related to hydrogeology, geology, or hydrology
• Training, or experience of well construction and pump installation methods, principles, and practices
• Experience working on projects related to the fate and transport of contaminants in groundwater

In addition, preferred qualifications include any of the following criteria:

• Experience interpreting hydrostratigraphy and its impact on groundwater quality and quantity conditions.
• Experience interpreting statutes and/or administrative codes relevant to the DNR Drinking Water and Groundwater program or similar
• Experience interpreting spatial and/or temporal patterns in groundwater data using GIS and/or statistical analysis software (SAS, SPSS, Stata, R, Python, ArcGIS, QGIS, GRASS GIS, SAGA GIS, and/or GEODa, etc.).

How To Apply

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID:19711 to complete your application for this posting. Current state employees, including those with Career Executive status, must apply through STAR ESS. Former permanent classified state employees must apply through Wisc.Jobs.

The steps to apply online are quick and easy! Your resume and letter of qualifications are used during our evaluation process to determine your eligibility for further consideration. Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications. Please review our helpful tips for developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included. References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions . For questions regarding the application process, please contact Rebekah Gaumitz in Human Resources at ...@wisconsin.gov or (608)###-####.

Disabled veterans: The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Deadline to Apply

All applications must be received by 11:59 pm central on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.