Associate or Project Hydrogeologist
MacKay Sposito
$40 - $55 / hour
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Description
At MacKay, we believe great people are the foundation of our growth and success.
We are in an exciting phase of expansion, creating new opportunities for our employees to take on meaningful work, collaborate across disciplines, and build long-term careers. Whether your role is technical or part of our support services team, you play an important role in delivering high-quality work and helping our projects succeed.
We are seeking a motivated and relationship-focused full-time Associate or Project Hydrogeologist to join our team either in Fort Collins, CO or in San Diego, CA. This role will have a mix of office and field-based responsibilities across a broad range of multi-year projects for our industrial, aerospace, and governmental clients.
This role is being posted at multiple levels, from Associate Hydrogeologist to Project Hydrogeologist. Level and pay are commensurate with experience.
Join a firm where people stay and where new teammates are genuinely invested. You'll work on technically challenging environmental projects for nationally recognized aerospace, defense, and industrial clients while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid schedule, close collaboration with experienced colleagues, and the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility as you advance in your career. We've built a team with exceptional continuity, deep technical expertise, and a genuine commitment to one another's success. If you're looking for a place where you can truly grow, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities vary by level, with a Project Hydrogeologist providing some oversight and delegation of responsibilities:
- Prepare conceptual models and support fate and transport modeling activities and groundwater modeling.
- Participate in and lead field programs, including well installation, aquifer testing, soil gas sampling, indoor air sampling, and pilot testing
- Evaluate remedial alternatives
- Tabulate, evaluate, and interpret air, soil vapor, soil, surface water, sediment, and groundwater data
- Assess remedial action performance data
- Oversee compliance monitoring field programs and prepare compliance monitoring reports
- Prepare cost estimates and specifications
- Direct and coordinate with analytical laboratories for the analysis of environmental media samples
- Participate in large multi-disciplinary team projects
- Utilize various software used in the evaluation, design, and preparation of deliverables
- Apply scientific standards, codes, regulations, and company procedures to assigned work
- Assist with project documentation, permitting, and coordination activities
- Coordinate with internal project teams, agencies, consultants, and clients as appropriate
- Support quality assurance and quality control processes
- Communicate professionally with coworkers, clients, agencies, and project stakeholders
- Participate in continuous improvement efforts related to scientific principles and engineering standards, workflows, and technical procedures
Minimum Qualifications for Associate Hydrogeologist:
- Bachelor of Science in geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, or related environmental science
- Geologist-In-Training (GIT) certification
- 2 to 5 years of experience, with a minimum of 1 year of field experience
- Proficient in Excel
- Experience with Groundwater modeling is required
- Experience with GIS and associated data management
- Ability to learn and adapt
- Ability to work on multiple project tasks concurrently
- Solid organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
- Ability to establish and maintain relationships with multi-disciplinary team members
Additional Qualifications for Project Hydrogeologist:
- California Professional Geologist or the ability to obtain reciprocity within a reasonable time frame
- 5+ years of experience, including management experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- 40-hour HAZWOPER certification
- Advanced Excel experience using Macros and Power Query
- First aid/CPR trained
- Understanding of groundwater modeling software
- California Certified Hydrogeologist (applies to Project Hydrogeologist)
Why Join MacKay?
A people-first culture
At MacKay, we put people first. We are committed to creating an environment where employees can grow, contribute, and do their best work. We support well-being, encourage balance, and create space for people to succeed both professionally and personally.
Meaningful work and real impact
Our teams take on complex infrastructure and environmental challenges that support critical systems and shape the places where people live and work. Every role contributes to delivering that work and making it successful.
Growth and opportunity
We are in an exciting phase of growth, expanding across geographies, services, and markets. That growth creates opportunities for our employees to take on new challenges, build their careers, and contribute in new ways as the company evolves.
A strong and trusted foundation
Built on more than 50 years of experience, MacKay has developed a reputation for quality work, strong relationships, and dependable results. You’ll be part of a team with a solid foundation and a clear direction for the future.
Opportunities to share in success
We provide opportunities for employees to participate in ownership and build long-term financial value as the company grows.
Our Values
At MacKay, our values guide how we work, collaborate, and support one another.
- Honesty. We build trust through transparency, integrity, and accountability.
- Dedication. We are committed to the success of our team members, clients, and communities.
- Relationships. We foster lasting connections that strengthen our work and the teams around us.
Who We Are
MacKay is an infrastructure and environmental services firm built on more than 50 years of experience and a growing collective of expertise.
We are in an exciting phase of growth, expanding our reach, strengthening our capabilities, and bringing together talented teams across the country. That growth is creating new opportunities for our employees to take on meaningful work, collaborate across disciplines, and build long-term careers.
Every role at MacKay contributes to the success of our projects and the clients we serve. Whether your work is technical or operational, you are part of a team that delivers quality, builds relationships, and moves projects forward.
We’re looking for dedicated, talented individuals who deliver excellence, thrive in collaborative environments, and value both meaningful work and work-life balance. If this sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.
Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as various market and business considerations.
The hourly wage range is $40-$55/hour, depending on experience and placement in the Hydrogeological Associate title.
The salary range is $120,000 - $130,000 per year, depending on experience and placement in the Project Hydrogeologist title.
Full-time employees receive a well-rounded benefit package including access to our company-sponsored Medical (including an HSA High Deductible option), Dental, Vision, FSA, and Supplemental Life Insurance plans. We also offer 100% company-paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability coverage. Employees are eligible to participate in our company's 401(k) plan with up to a 4% match. Additionally, employees receive paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, and are able to participate in employee ownership options. MacKay pays for expenses associated with licensure as well as annual performance bonuses.
Employment requires passing a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
As a federal contractor, we participate in E-Verify and are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Open until filled.
Benefits
- health insurance
- 401(k)
- life insurance
About this role
MacKay Sposito is hiring a hydrogeologist to work on environmental remediation and compliance projects for aerospace, defense, and industrial clients across the San Diego area. The role blends office and field work on multi-year engagements, with responsibilities ranging from conceptual modeling and data interpretation to field program leadership, remedial design, and compliance monitoring—depending on whether you're hired at the Associate or Project level. You'll work with groundwater, soil, soil vapor, and air quality data; coordinate lab analysis; evaluate remedial alternatives; and communicate findings to internal teams, agencies, and clients.
The Associate level requires a geology or environmental science degree, GIT certification, and one to five years of experience with at least one year in the field. You'll need solid Excel and GIS skills, strong communication abilities, and the capacity to juggle multiple concurrent tasks. The Project Hydrogeologist role demands California PE licensure (or the ability to obtain it), five-plus years of experience including management, and typically a California Certified Hydrogeologist credential. HAZWOPER certification, advanced Excel skills, and groundwater modeling software experience are valued at both levels.
MacKay emphasizes stability and continuity—the firm has been operating for over 50 years and reports low turnover among its technical staff. The hybrid schedule offers flexibility, and the company mentions opportunities for ownership participation as it expands. Salary ranges from $40,000 to $55,000 depending on level and experience.
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$40 to $55 per hour
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