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What They Do
About This Career
Collects and organizes data concerning the distribution and circulation of ground and surface water, and data on its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Measures and reports on flow rates and ground water levels, maintains field equipment, collects water samples, installs and collects sampling equipment, and processes samples for shipment to testing laboratories. May collect data on behalf of hydrologists, engineers, developers, government agencies, or agriculture.
This career is part of the Energy cluster.
A person in this career:
- Analyzes ecological data about the impact of pollution, erosion, floods, and other environmental problems on bodies of water.
- Answers technical questions from hydrologists, policymakers, or other customers developing water conservation plans.
- Applies research findings to minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, or sedimentation.
- Assists in designing programs to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
- Collects water and soil samples to test for physical, chemical, or biological properties, such as pH, oxygen level, temperature, and pollution.
- Develops computer models for hydrologic predictions.
- Estimates the costs and benefits of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, and wastewater treatment facilities.
- Investigates complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters by gathering information, recommending alternatives, or preparing legal documents.
- Investigates the properties, origins, or activities of glaciers, ice, snow, or permafrost.
- Locates and delivers information or data as requested by customers, such as contractors, government entities, and members of the public.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
People who do this job report that:
- You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
- Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
Work Hours and Travel
- Regular working hours and limited travel
Every year the U.S. Department of Labor conducts national surveys of wage data by occupation in every state and in all industry divisions. These surveys are conducted through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program.
The statistics collected for one year are published the next fall. For example, 2013 wage information was published in the fall of 2014.
There are over 800 occupations in the surveys, and these occupations cover the entire U.S. labor market. The surveys ask for reports in a scale of ranges for both hourly wages and annual wages.
In many cases, these occupations are broad enough to cover many more detailed specialties of an occupation. A specific occupation may be included in a broader occupational category for which labor market data is available. When you look at the statistics for a broad category, be aware that the salary data for a specific career may differ.
For more details about how wage information is collected and calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor, visit their website at http://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm.
Every year the U.S. Department of Labor conducts a national survey of over 400,000
employers in every state and in all industry divisions. This survey is conducted
through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program. Every other year the
department publishes outlook information based on these surveys.
Each outlook period covers 10 years. For example, in 2003 the outlook information
was published for 2004-2014. Employers are asked to report the number of employees
in about 770 different occupations that cover the entire U.S. labor market.
From this information, staffing patterns for different industries are established.
Industry growth is projected into the future based on past trends and current economic
conditions. Industry staffing patterns are then applied to the industry projections
to obtain occupational projections.
In many cases, these occupations are broad enough to cover many more detailed specialties
of an occupation. A specific occupation may be included in a broader occupational
category for which labor market data is available. When you look at the statistics
for a broad category, be aware that the employment data for a specific field may
differ.
For more details about how employment information is collected and calculated by
the U.S. Department of Labor, visit their website at http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.tn.htm.
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