The scientists who study water for the USGS work throughout the United States and its territories. Through cooperative programs with more than 1,000 State and local governments and other Federal agencies, the division s employees fulfill its mission of providing the hydrologic information and understanding needed to ensure the best use and management of the Nation s water resources. This is accomplished through the collection and analysis of data describing the quantity, quality, and use of ground and surface water, and through the conduct of basic and problem-oriented research.
Hydrology is a multidisciplinary approach to the study of water resources.
Research and technical investigations in this growing field are performed by scientists schooled in geology, physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, or mathematics or various combinations of these disciplines. Hydrologic technicians perform a challenging variety of services in support of hydrologists. These employees study water and collect data on its quantity, quality, availability, and movement throughout the 50 states as well as in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. They use personal computers and sophisticated electronics, including satellite telemetry, to collect, interpret, store, and report hydrologic information. GS-1315, are a degree in physical science, natural science, or engineering, with at least 30 semester hours in any combination of hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources.