Hydrogeologist

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range
$148,920 - $188,880 Annually
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a Hydrogeologist to support environmental restoration at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. You will perform hydrogeological data analysis and review for soil and groundwater characterization and remediation activities, including hydraulic data and capture zone analysis, ground water chemistry distribution and trend analysis, and regulatory reporting. This position is in the Environmental Restoration Department and will require work at Site 200 in Livermore, California, and Site 300 in Tracy, California.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

You will

• Monitor the performance of LLNL’s remediation wellfield and status of the groundwater and soil vapor treatment facilities. Provide progress of subsurface remediation for quarterly and annual regulatory reports.
• Analyze and interpret geologic, borehole geophysical, hydraulic/pneumatic data, and soil, rock, water and vapor chemistry data, including hydrostratigraphic analysis, and provide recommendations and solutions to the program team.
• Prepare regulatory documents and presentations at meetings with Federal and State regulators, and the local community.
• Plan, review, and implement the preparation of well drilling plans, hydraulic/pneumatic test plans, field experiments, sampling plans; analyze results and provide interpretations to program team.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and Laboratory’s environmental policies.
• Collaborate with colleagues, mid-level management, and other team members on matters requiring coordination across organizational lines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or other relevant field or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge and significant experience interpreting subsurface data, including geologic, borehole geophysical, and hydraulic and pneumatic data, and soil, rock and water chemistry data.
• Advanced knowledge of and significant experience applying operational hydrogeology skills, including remediation well performance evaluation, contaminant distribution mapping, hydraulic capture zone interpretation, analysis of groundwater contaminant trends, and cleanup time estimation.
• Significant experience developing remedial action and/or hydraulic/pneumatic aquifer test plans. Experience with vapor intrusion evaluation.
• Experience using spreadsheet/database, subsurface visualization, and Geographic Information System (GIS) software to process data.
• Advanced knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations and experience applying it to an environmental restoration program.
• Significant experience developing innovative solutions to complex environmental problems in areas of environmental characterization and remediation of contaminated areas.
• Advanced knowledge of standard software applications (such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and ability to work on multiple computing platforms (UNIX, PC, MAC).
• Advanced communication skills both verbal and written to interact effectively with the scientific community, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. Ability to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary team environment and present and explain technical information; advanced technical report writing skills.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master of Science degree in Geology or Hydrogeology.
• California State Certified Professional Geologist; California Certified Hydrogeologist.
• Experience working on Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) projects.
• Understanding of analytical and numerical flow and transport models; experience with environmental databases.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Site 300

Site 300 is an experimental test site operated by LLNL.  Situated on 7,000 acres in rural foothills approximately six miles southwest of downtown Tracy and 15 miles southeast of Livermore, Site 300 hosts approximately 200 employees with expertise in such fields as engineering, chemistry, biology, and environmental restoration. Employees assigned to work at Site 300 may be exposed to the organism that causes San Joaquin Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis).

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.