Are you interested in the flow of water – where it will go and what impacts it will have on the surrounding environment? Then a career as a hydrologist might be for you!
Hydrologists study water. They monitor and evaluate levels, flows and changes in volume. They examine flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater and the impacts on habitats and apply their findings to minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, erosion and sedimentation.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Offshore, Oil sands, Pipelines
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary $97,000 to $190,000
- Education Post-secondary degree
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data
- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems
Education
- A post-secondary degree or diploma in geology, environmental science, marine biology or a related discipline is usually required.
Certifications
- Registration with a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers, geologists, geophyscists or geoscientists may be requested but is not mandatory.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily outdoor work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Geography
- Computers and electronics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
- Sub-sector Geothermal
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Skills Upgrading Minor
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Refocus
A hydrologist in oil and natural gas considering a career change from oil and gas to the geothermal sub-sector of renewables may expect to complete some minor upskilling for a successful transition. A worker may need to gain skills in fluid analysis and the ability to assess properties of underground water and geothermal reservoirs.
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data
- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems
Education
- A post-secondary degree or diploma in geology, environmental science, marine biology or a related discipline is usually required.
Certifications
- Registration with a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers, geologists, geophyscists or geoscientists may be requested but is not mandatory.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to renewables include:
- Travel required (geothermal)
- Primarily indoor/office work (geothermal)
- Less formal organizational structure (geothermal)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (geothermal)
- Safety-sensitive environment (geothermal)
- Transition to a lower level (geothermal)
- Urban location (geothermal)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily outdoor work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Geography
- Computers and electronics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
