Senior Geophysicist

Job Description

Job Description

Certerra is a growing national provider of testing, inspection, and certification services that support innovation in new product development, quality assurance, for project delivery, and engineered solutions for asset management. We are passionate about contributing to the sustainable development of the communities we serve. We are a national firm with a global reach serving national and international clients from 30+ offices located in 10 states and are ranked on ENR’s Top 500 list alongside the nation’s top firms. With a 60-year history, Certerra has a passion for high-end services, constant innovation, and investment in the development of world-class laboratory facilities, and interactive management technologies. Each member of our staff is committed to service, innovation, and the success of our clients.

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:  

The Senior Geophysicist is responsible for technical leadership, planning, execution, interpretation, and management of geophysical investigations supporting environmental, mining, groundwater, and other projects. This position has the potential to involve business development, project management, geophysical field work, data processing, reporting and technical/client/ presentations. 

The Senior Geophysicist directs field and office personnel, ensures technical quality, safety compliance, mentors junior staff, and collaborates with project managers and clients to deliver successful projects. This position requires advanced proficiency in multiple geophysical methods including electrical resistivity, seismic methods, EM (tTEM, airbone, frequency domain), borehole logging and others. Travel and field work are expected but will vary based on project demands. 

Position is open to applicants with compensation commensurate with the level of experience  and technical expertise.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Leadership. 

• Lead the planning, design, execution, and interpretation of complex geophysical investigations
• Serve as technical lead for geophysical projects from proposal through final deliverables
• Evaluate project objectives and select appropriate geophysical methods to meet technical requirements
• Integrate geophysical results with geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical, and engineering datasets.
• Perform advanced processing, inversion, modeling, and interpretation of geophysical data

Geophysical Expertise. Demonstrate advanced proficiency in the following methods:

• Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT)
• Electromagnetic Methods (EM)
• Magnetics
• Seismic Methods (MASW, Refraction, Reflection) 
• Borehole Geophysics
• Induced Polarization (IP)

Project Management

• Manage technical scope, budgets, schedules, and project deliverables
• Coordinate field operations, staffing, logistics and subcontractors
• Support proposal preparation, scope development, and cost estimating
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget

Leadership & Mentoring

• Mentor and train junior geophysicists and staff
• Provide technical guidance on field procedures, data processing, and interpretation
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement

Client & Business Development

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships
• Participate in business development activities, including conferences and networking events
• Present project results to clients or at technical conferences 
• Identify opportunities for additional services and technical innovations

Software & Technical Skills. Proficiency with:

• RES2D and RES3D
• Surfer
• Database and project management tools (Salesforce)
• Geophysical modeling and imaging software for ERT, EM, seismic and other methods

REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: A B.S. degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Geophysics, or Geological Engineering,. 
• M.Sc. in a geoscience-related field counts as two years of experience or a Ph.D. in a geoscience-related field counts as four years of experience.
• Experience: 8+ years experience with a geophysical services firm or department with 50 percent of time worked spent in the field. 
• An understanding of field activities, GPS equipment, troubleshooting techniques, and safety. 
• Display strong organizational skills, as well as excellent oral and written communication ability. 
• Must demonstrate proficiency withMicrosoft® Excel® and Word®. Experience with geoscience-related software and writing technical reports. 

Physical Demands:  

• Must demonstrate the ability to lift and carry a minimum of 70 pounds (special exemptions may apply).

Travel : 

• Projects may require travel up to 60 percent of work schedule.

REPORTS TO: Divisional Vice President

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. This Company is dedicated to both the letter and the spirit of the equal opportunity employment laws. All applicants and all employees will be evaluated based on their ability, competence, and performance of the essential functions of their positions. There will be no discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, religion, age 40 and over, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other classification which may be protected by federal, state, or local laws. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we specifically offer equal opportunity for all employees or job applicants who may have a physical or mental disability. Such people will be hired based on their ability to perform the essential functions of the job in question. Likewise, their work will be evaluated on their performance of these essential functions. We will offer reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities, to the extent that Company resources allow without undue hardship. As part of our equal employment policy, there will be no wage differentials based on gender, between men and women employed in the same establishment, on jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions.