Geologist

Geologist

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM): Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.

Role Overview: As a member of the Geological Services Section, this position will provide professional geologic and related technical expertise to IDEM, other governmental agencies and the public. The position primarily contributes to the objectives of properly characterizing and remediating uncontrolled waste and spill sites by performing or evaluating advanced geologic, environmental geologic, engineering geologic and hydrogeologic work so that human health and the environment are protected and contaminated properties can again be economically viable. An Indiana Driver's License is Required.

Salary Statement: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $59,800.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life: The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Provide geologic consultation utilizing technical expertise regarding engineering geology, hydrogeology, and geology.
• Understand, interpret, and employ applicable State and Federal regulatory rules, guidance, and policies related to geological investigations and contaminant remediation.
• Lead or assist field teams during site investigations.
• Evaluate and assist in developing geologically related plans and documents.
• Develop and write technical reports and correspondence including tabulating and interpreting data for reports.
• Follow proper sampling procedures and use appropriate geophysical and other field techniques.
• Review and evaluate technical guidance documents, reports, journals, and related articles.
• Determine historic geologic and hydrogeologic conditions utilizing agency files.
• Assist in geological enforcement actions.
• Provide technical assistance to other staff, state and federal agencies, industries, contractors, and the public.

These additional duties may be performed if this position is at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR):

• Perform complex data analysis and interpretation to determine locations and extent of underground sources of drinking water.

These additional duties may be performed if this position is at the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT):

• Work with the Testing Team to report findings and make recommendations of construction material aggregates and soils for highway construction.
• Research/investigate into construction contracts that do not comply with specifications.
• Administer INDOT's Certified Aggregate Producers Program (CAPP) program at the District level.
• Regulate and monitor all aggregate sources assigned to the District and ensure compliance with Department specifications and guidelines.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success: Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Licensed Professional Geologist in Indiana preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, theories, and methodologies applied to geologic/hydrogeologic science and related fields.
• Thorough knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply all applicable federal and state laws, environmental regulations, acts, and guidelines.
• Extensive knowledge of applied statistics, environmental design, geologic sampling, and interpretation of geologic analysis.
• Thorough knowledge of remedial and corrective action as it relates to various program areas.
• Ability to conduct intensive research for geologic and hydrogeological advancement of the program area.
• Ability to determine resolutions and new approaches to various geotechnical problems.
• Specialized knowledge of geophysical instrumentation including Electro magnetometer, Resistivity Meter, and Seismograph.
• Specialized knowledge of well hydraulics, ground water modeling, drinking water management, waste and wastewater management, and related regulations.
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geological Engineer, or Geotechnical Engineering from an accredited college or university.

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT):

• Knowledge of American Association of State Highway Transportation (AASHTO), American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), Indiana Test Methods, and INDOT specifications.
• Working knowledge of, and ability to operate, geologic field instruments and construction testing equipment such as LWD, DCPT, etc.
• Working knowledge of survey and mapping techniques.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Difficulty of Work: You must be able to analyze, apply, and communicate technical knowledge regarding a wide variety of situations. Work is broad in scope and requires extensive judgment to interpret state and federal environmental laws, regulations, acts, and codes which may be vague and difficult to interpret. Both extensive technical knowledge and analytical skills are needed to interpret and evaluate a variety of interrelated factors.

Responsibility: You may receive broad direction from your supervisor on project priorities. You will utilize your own technical abilities and resources to test and resolve the problem. Work is reviewed upon project completion or upon critical milestones as projects may extend across many years. Errors in judgment could go undetected and may result in major costs to the regulated community.

Personal Work Relationships: You may work with a wide variety of individuals including the public, outside consultants, and representatives of federal, local, and state government. These contacts are for the purpose of interpreting, developing, and gaining support of, and compliance with rules, laws, and regulations. Personal Work Relationships: This individual will be expected to partner with agency personnel and related stakeholders working towards completion of assigned functions. Exceptional customer service is provided to agency partners and/or the general public. Partnership with relevant public agencies, federal, state & local governments and/or community leaders may be required.

Physical Effort: Depending on the duties performed or environment setting, frequent walking, standing, climbing stairs or ladders, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and/or similar movements may be involved. This role requires the ability to lift/transport items up to 50 lbs with or without the assistance of equipment. This role requires the use limbs/fingers to easily perform manual functions. Equipment used may include the operation of complex manual and electric powered equipment or hand-tools. This role performs work in an environment where sitting for extended periods of time could be expected.

Working Conditions: There is potential for exposure to hazardous materials on site and/or in the lab. This role performs work outdoors and exposure to various outdoor weather conditions, rough terrain and wildlife may occur. This role requires the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary. This role performs work in a standard office environment. This role performs work in an environment where exposure to gas/fumes, dust, grease, noise, vibrations and/or soiling of clothing and skin surfaces may occur.

Competencies Acquiring Information Prioritizing and Organizing Work Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana: The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-