Hydrologist

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists

2006 NOC-S

• C013: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists

2011 NOC

• 2113: Geoscientists and oceanographers

2016 NOC

• 2113: Geoscientists and oceanographers

2021 NOC

• 21102: Geoscientists and oceanographers

2023 OaSIS

• 21102.01: Geoscientists

Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another. Hydrologists often specialize in particular water-related fields but, in general, they:

• Apply scientific knowledge, mathematical and physical principles to solve water-related problems
• Study the amounts and timing of river flow, precipitation, evaporation, infiltration; and storage of water in rivers, lakes, wetlands and other water bodies
• Study flow and storage of groundwater in aquifers
• Study glaciers, snowpacks and ice sheets, whether as snow or ice
• Study the way soil moisture and subsurface water in rocks and soils interact with groundwater systems
• Study the transport, travel time and fate of dissolved and suspended matters in water
• Help to limit the environmental impacts of land-use change, erosion, sedimentation, pollution and water-borne diseases
• Study the short-term and long-term effects of climate change and weather variability on the outlook of water supply, flow and storage
• Conduct risk analyses for hydrological extremes such as floods and droughts
• Develop integrated water and drainage management plans for river basins, often as part of technical or planning cross-disciplinary teams
• Assess whether to develop hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems and other systems for using or supplying water
• Study public and industrial surface and groundwater supply, water quality, wastewater, in-stream flows and recreation requirements to learn how fish and wildlife habitats are impacted
• Conduct environmental impact assessments of resource projects
• Study the effects that natural disturbances, such as wildfires or mountain pine beetle, have on water quantity and quality, as well as aquatic ecology
• Gather stream flow, water level, climate, geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing and other data
• Analyse data and develop hydrologic models
• Delineate drainage boundaries using topographic data and other information to define the extents of catchments, watersheds and river basins
• Prepare technical reports and presentations
• Coordinate and supervise the work of technologists and technicians

Hydrogeologists are hydrologists who specialize in studying groundwater.

Hydrologists may work alone or with a team of professionals, technologists or technicians. They may work primarily indoors in an office environment or outdoors conducting field investigations. Hours of work are typical of other professionals in office-based roles but can be long if fieldwork is a regular duty. Fieldwork may involve being away from home for days or weeks. It may also involve working in remote and rugged terrain in adverse conditions. Lifting up to 20 kilograms may be required in fieldwork.

Hydrologists are employed by:

• Natural resource companies
• Civil engineering, environmental and forestry consulting firms
• Government departments

Experienced hydrologists may work with Canadian consulting firms overseas or advance to water resource management positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 2113: Geoscientists and oceanographers occupational group, 86.0% of people work in:

• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

©

iStock.com/filadendron

OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 2113: Geoscientists and oceanographers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 59 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: apega.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.