Retired Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Nebraska Water Science Center [NEWSC).
Swanson has forty years of experience in collecting, analyzing, and managing hydrologic
data and projects for the USGS. Represented the USGS on the Missouri River Recovery
Implementation Program, the Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers LCC. Led the USGS
Midwest Region Large Rivers Initiative.
Hydrologic Technician, Lincoln, Cambridge and Ord Subdistricts, USGS Nebraska
District; North Platte, Nebraska-1978-1992
Collected and analyzed surface water, groundwater and water-quality field data.
Hydrologist, Central Nebraska River Basins Study Unit, USGS Nebraska
District; North Platte, Nebraska-1992-1996
Directed and coordinated hydrologic field data activities for the CNBR NAWQA Study Unit.
Chief, Central Nebraska River Basins Study Unit, USGS Nebraska District;
North Platte, Nebraska-1996-1999
Managed the Central Nebraska River Basins (CNBR) Study Unit of the USGS National Water
Quality Assessment program. Also, assumed project chief duties for the Central Platte 
Tributaries water-quality project.
Chief, Hydrologic Surveillance, USGS Wyoming Water Science Center;
Cheyenne, Wyoming—1999-2004
Managed the USGS Water Science Center's Hydrologic Surveillance Section responsible for
data monitoring activities in Cheyenne, Casper, and Riverton.  In addition, the section provided
science support and personnel for the National Science Foundation streamgaging program in
the Taylor Dry Valleys, Antarctica.
Member of the Central Region Advisory Committee for Data (CRACD) and co-chaired the
very first Data Conference in Kansas City.
Established the first Mentoring Circle of six newly hired hydrologic technicians.
Director, USGS Nebraska Water Science Center; Lincoln, Nebraska— 2004-
January, 2018
See above. Also, Chaired the A-76 Hydrologic Technician Outsourcing Study. Member and
Chair of the USGS Community College Hydroloigic Technician Recruiting program.
Volunteer, USGS Nebraska Water Science Center; Lincoln, Nebraska— 2018-
present
Assisted the Hydrologic Surveillance Section by running station levels and collecting annual
groundwater levels. Assisted the Center at outreach events, such as, the Children’s
Groundwater Festival.
Central States Representative, USGS Retiree's Organization 2020-present
Member of the Officer's Council. Assists in reunions. Assits with Hydrologic Technician's Scholarship selection.