Principal Hydrogeologist

ITASCA North America | U.S.-based

About the role

ITASCA North America is seeking a Principal Hydrogeologist to provide technical leadership, grow client relationships, mentor staff, and help strengthen our hydrogeology practice across the U.S. and North America.

This role is suited for a senior hydrogeology professional with strong technical credibility, practical judgment, and experience leading complex projects. Mining experience is preferred, particularly in mine water management, groundwater characterization, dewatering, depressurization, seepage, closure, water balance, permitting support, and hydrogeologic support for mine planning and operations.

What you'll do

• Provide senior technical leadership on hydrogeology, mine water, and groundwater-related projects.
• Lead and review work involving conceptual hydrogeologic models, field investigations, aquifer testing, groundwater monitoring, dewatering, seepage, water balance, closure planning, permitting support, and impact assessment.
• Guide or critically review numerical and analytical groundwater modeling, including assumptions, uncertainty, limitations, and implications for client decisions.
• Translate complex hydrogeologic data into practical recommendations for mine planning, environmental management, water supply, permitting, operations, and risk management.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and senior client contact.
• Develop client relationships, identify opportunities, and lead proposals, scopes, budgets, schedules, and project strategy.
• Mentor technical staff and support high-quality project delivery through review, coaching, and knowledge sharing.

What you bring

Required

• Advanced degree in hydrogeology, geochemistry, environmental engineering, or a related field.
• Approximately 20+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven technical excellence and sound professional judgment in hydrogeology.
• Professional registration by a recognized organization, or ability to obtain registration where required.
• Experience leading, managing, directing, and reviewing complex technical projects.
• Strong experience with conceptual hydrogeologic models, field investigations, hydraulic testing, and hydrogeologic data interpretation.
• Strong client-facing communication skills.
• Experience mentoring staff and contributing to business development.

Strongly valued

• Mining industry experience, particularly in mine water management, pit dewatering, depressurization, seepage, closure, water balance, permitting, and operational hydrogeology.
• Established client relationships in mining, infrastructure, energy, water resources, or environmental sectors.
• Experience developing and winning consulting work.
• Experience with MODFLOW, FEFLOW, MINEDW, GIS, 3-D visualization, or data analysis.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Recognition in the hydrogeology, mining, groundwater, or environmental consulting community.

Location and travel

This is a full-time position based in the United States. Preferred locations are Denver/Lakewood, Colorado, or Minneapolis, Minnesota, but other U.S. locations including hybrid/remote work options may be considered for the right candidate.

Travel will be expected for client meetings, site visits, conferences, business development, and internal collaboration.

Compensation and benefits

We value your contributions and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Performance bonuses (cash and company stock)
• Health, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family
• Generous paid time off from day one
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance

The anticipated salary range is $150,000-$200,000. Final compensation will depend on experience and qualifications.

Take the next step in your career and become a valued member of our employee-owned company. Join us at ITASCA, where innovation meets excellence!