Senior Hydrogeologist/Groundwater Modeler

ITASCA North America | U.S.-based

About the role

ITASCA North America is seeking a Senior Hydrogeologist/Groundwater Modeler to support challenging groundwater, mine water, and environmental projects across the U.S. and North America.

This role is suited for a technically strong professional with experience in groundwater flow modeling, hydrogeologic interpretation, and practical consulting. The successful candidate will serve as a modeling expert, technical reviewer, mentor, and project contributor within ITASCA's hydrogeology practice.

Mining experience is strongly valued, particularly in mine dewatering, depressurization, pit inflow, pore-pressure estimation, water balance, closure, groundwater recovery, and hydrogeologic support for mine planning and operations.

What you'll do

• Develop, calibrate, apply, and review numerical groundwater flow models for mining, environmental, and water-resource projects.
• Support modeling related to mine dewatering, depressurization, pit and underground working inflows, groundwater recovery, contaminant transport, seepage, closure, and water management.
• Develop and interpret conceptual hydrogeologic models using geology, field data, monitoring records, hydraulic testing, groundwater chemistry, and project constraints.
• Evaluate model assumptions, calibration, uncertainty, sensitivity, limitations, and implications for client decisions.
• Prepare technical reports, model documentation, presentations, proposals, scopes of work, budgets, and work plans.
• Serve as a technical reviewer and internal resource for groundwater modeling quality.
• Mentor junior and intermediate staff in modeling methods, hydrogeologic interpretation, and technical communication.
• Work independently on complex assignments and manage modeling tasks or projects.
• Collaborate with hydrogeologists, geomechanics engineers, engineering geologists, geochemists, data scientists, and software developers.
• Support continued improvement of ITASCA's modeling skills, workflows, training materials, and technical capabilities.
• As appropriate, work with the MINEDW product manager and in-house software staff to support groundwater model code development, feature improvements, user training materials, and marketing content.

What you bring

Required

• Advanced degree in hydrogeology, geochemistry, environmental engineering, or a related field.
• Approximately 10-20 years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven record of technical excellence in groundwater flow modeling.
• Strong experience developing, calibrating, applying, and interpreting numerical groundwater models.
• Experience with conceptual hydrogeologic models, hydrogeologic data interpretation, and model documentation.
• Ability to critically evaluate model assumptions, calibration, uncertainty, sensitivity, and limitations.
• Experience working independently on complex technical assignments.
• Ability to supervise, manage, mentor, and review the work of others.
• Strong technical writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to support proposals, work programs, and client communication.

Strongly valued

• Experience with MINEDW, MODFLOW, FEFLOW, HydroGeoSphere, MIKE SHE, Groundwater Vistas, MT3D/transport modeling tools, PEST, or related modeling platforms.
• Mining industry experience, particularly mine dewatering, depressurization, pit inflow, pore-pressure estimation, water balance, closure, groundwater recovery, or operational hydrogeology.
• Experience with finite-element and/or finite-difference groundwater modeling approaches.
• Experience with contaminant transport modeling, parameter estimation, uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis, or stochastic modeling.
• Programming or scripting experience using Python, R, VBA, or similar tools.
• Experience with GIS, 3-D visualization, large datasets, database tools, or model pre/post-processing workflows.
• Experience with field investigation design, aquifer testing, hydraulic testing, groundwater monitoring, or data collection programs.
• Experience developing modeling workflows, training materials, software documentation, or user-facing technical materials.
• Professional registration by a recognized organization, or ability to obtain registration where required.

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 may be required for client meetings, site visits, field programs, conferences, and internal collaboration.

ITASCA may provide employment-based visa sponsorship (e.g. H1-B, L-1, TN, etc.) for this role, subject to business needs, candidate qualifications, and immigration regulations.

Compensation and benefits

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

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Performance bonuses, including 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 $105,000-$130,000. 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!