At a Glance
- Tasks: Monitor water usage, assess environmental impact, and provide consultancy on sustainable practices.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on preserving our vital water resources.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, training opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a crucial mission to protect our planet's water supply while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: No degree required, but relevant science qualifications or experience are beneficial.
- Other info: Opportunities for apprenticeships and career progression in a growing field.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
A hydrologist works in a variety of settings, from local councils to large companies. They monitor human use of water, keeping check of our use of natural reserves like rainfall and rivers. Hydrologists monitor natural and manmade waterways, advising on policies to manage them and assessing human impact. They work to ensure our use of water is sustainable, consulting on the best ways to protect this incredibly important resource.
Responsibilities
- Monitoring human water consumption in your local area, or on a more national scale, sharing ideas for limiting this or improving flow.
- Working with computer modelling software to predict water consumption and sharing these with stakeholders.
- Studying rainfall and snowfall levels, comparing this to previous years and assessing how this might impact resource levels.
- Studying floods, assessing their causes and their impact on local areas.
- Studying natural ice patterns like glaciers, observing their growth or loss, and analysing if this is due to human activity.
- Studying drought, providing potential causes and preventions of future issues.
- Providing advice on prevention of major incidents such as floods.
- Analysing potentially polluted water sources, and providing a plan for making the water safe.
- Supporting on large-scale industrial projects like dams.
- Providing consultancy on urban projects that involve large-scale water use, adding man-made water sources or adjusting natural resources like rerouting a river.
Salary
Hydrology jobs are highly skilled, so you should expect good salary progression. Junior hydrologist jobs and hydrogeologist jobs can expect to fetch around £17,000. As you progress through the ranks, a hydrologist salary could rise to £50,000 with the right experience and skills. If you become a hydrologist through an apprenticeship, expect the apprenticeship wage while you’re training. As of 2022, this is £4.81 for your first year and raises to minimum wage once you are over 19 and in your second year of training.
Qualifications
While working as a hydrologist does not require a degree, it can be an advantage when positions are competitive. Several different degree courses would align you well with hydrology work, including:
- Civil Engineering
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Geology
Some hydrologists begin their studies with a more generalised degree in a science subject. They then go on to specialise in hydrology to bolster their experience before applying for work. The British Hydrological Society (BHS) lists several accredited masters level courses that would give you specialisms including:
- Flood and Coast Engineering
- Flood Management
- Freshwater and Marine Ecology
- Hydrology and Water Resources Management
- Hydrogeology
- Water Engineering
Alternatively, you could study towards becoming a hydrologist through a degree apprenticeship. This would include a combination of work placements and academic study. Employers offering apprenticeships will set their own entry requirements, though you’re likely to need a breadth of work experience in a similar field or 2-3 A Levels in science subjects, and 5 GCSEs grades 9-4 (A*-C).
Training and Development
Once you’re employed, your training will happen on the job. You’ll shadow senior hydrologists while learning about the techniques specific to the job. You’ll likely be trained on any particular forms of software you’ll be expected to use, as well as information on related sectors, such as construction or domestic planning. Many hydrologists choose to join accredited societies to keep up to date with their discipline. They’ll also use membership to develop their professional practice. You can join the British Hydrological Society or The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management for access to conferences, webinars and training.
Skills
Much of the skills required for hydrogeology jobs are covered in your degree. These include:
- A robust scientific knowledge based around hydrogeology.
- Knowledge of the sciences and maths to underpin your more specific industry knowledge.
- Ability to manage multiple workloads: you could be covering a variety of different phenomena for multiple clients and departments, so you’ll need to confidently switch between methods.
- An understanding of measuring methods for rainfall, flood management and drought.
- An ability to pick up new technologies quickly, as you’ll be learning new methods for analysis as research updates.
- Ability to keep up to date with new research to improve your monitoring and analysis.
- Ability to work well within a larger team of environmental scientists.
- Attention to detail - you’ll be measuring geographical phenomena on a very small scale, but using this information to inform big decisions around government policy and sustainability agendas.
- Good written and verbal communication: you’ll need to feedback detailed data to stakeholders and managers, which they’ll use to inform policy.
Work Experience
Scientific subjects can be competitive, especially if you are considering postgraduate courses. Completing work experience placements can be advantageous if you want to stand out from the crowd. It would be worth asking your local council if they have a hydrology department and asking to shadow their workers. Alternatively, you could contact sustainability charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that focus on water preservation, to see if they have any placement programs.
Career Prospects
Sustainability is big on the government agenda. Equally, private companies are becoming more and more aware of their use of natural resources. As a result, scientists with expertise in protecting our waterways are in demand. You could begin working for your local council in officering roles, but progress up to senior and management levels. You could specialise in a particular area, or work in a cross-disciplinary way, such as in hydrology engineering. You could also work for charities and non-governmental organisations. Your career could also take a more independent path, where you work on a consultancy basis, advising companies and governments on how to best preserve water resources. Some hydrologists find the research side of their field particularly rewarding, so take on further academic study. Many decide to pursue a doctoral (PhD) project and publish their own academic research to contribute to the field. Some NGOs and charities sponsor PhD places if you are willing to research an area that they have a particular interest in. You might even find that your employer offers to fund your research.
Hydrologist employer: Uni Compare Ltd.
Contact Detail:
Uni Compare Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Hydrologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the hydrology field. Attend conferences, webinars, and local meetups to connect with current hydrologists and learn about their experiences. This can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Gain practical experience through internships or volunteer work. Reach out to local councils, NGOs, or environmental organisations to see if they offer placements. Hands-on experience will not only enhance your skills but also make your application stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest research and technologies in hydrology. Follow relevant journals, blogs, and social media accounts to keep abreast of new developments. Demonstrating your knowledge of current trends during interviews can impress potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider joining professional organisations like the British Hydrological Society. Membership can provide access to resources, training, and networking opportunities that can help you in your job search and career development.
We think you need these skills to ace Hydrologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills related to hydrology. Focus on any coursework, projects, or work experience that demonstrates your understanding of water management, environmental science, or related fields.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for hydrology and sustainability. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with the responsibilities of a hydrologist, such as monitoring water consumption or working with computer modelling software.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your scientific knowledge, attention to detail, and ability to communicate complex data clearly. Highlight any experience with software used in hydrology, as well as your capacity to manage multiple workloads effectively.
Include Work Experience: If you have completed any internships or volunteer work related to hydrology or environmental science, be sure to include this in your application. Real-world experience can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Uni Compare Ltd.
✨Know Your Hydrology Basics
Make sure you brush up on fundamental hydrology concepts and terminology. Being able to discuss topics like water cycles, flood management, and drought prevention will show your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Familiarise yourself with the computer modelling software commonly used in hydrology. Be prepared to discuss any relevant experience you have with these tools, as well as how you can apply them to predict water consumption and manage resources effectively.
✨Prepare Real-World Examples
Think of specific instances from your past experiences where you've successfully monitored water usage or contributed to sustainability projects. Sharing these examples will demonstrate your practical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's current projects and future goals related to water management. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their mission.