State of Maryland

A Geologist III, Environmental Programs is the full performance level of professional work performing geological work with a focus on environmental programs.  Employees in this classification apply theoretical and practical knowledge of geological concepts and principles, testing and sampling equipment, and geological mapping to environmental investigations and projects.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other Geologists but may provide guidance and training to lower-level Geologists, support staff or summer technical assistants.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Geologist Supervisor or other designated supervisor.  The work is performed both in the office and in the field.  In the field, employees may experience a variety of conditions related to weather and terrain.  Employees must be available to travel throughout the State depending on the assignment.  They may be required to walk considerable distances over rough or unstable terrain and may be exposed to standard physical hazards associated with construction sites, and industrial and manufacturing operations and equipment.  At field sites, employees may be exposed to hazardous substances and fumes.  Employees may be required to carry heavy equipment exceeding 50 pounds.  Depending on the assignment, employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment.  Evening and weekend work may be required.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Geologist I, Geologist II and Geologist III, Environmental Programs and Geologist III, Maryland Geological Survey are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Geologist I learns to perform duties under close supervision.  The Geologist II performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Geologist III, Environmental Programs and Geologist III, Maryland Geological Survey  both performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision; however the Geologist III Environmental Programs performs the work at the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Geologist III Maryland Geological Survey performs the work at the Department of Natural Resources.  The Geologist III, Environmental Programs is differentiated from the Geologist Lead/Advanced, Environmental Programs in that the Geologist Lead/Advanced, Environmental Programs assigns, reviews and approves the work of lower-level Geologists or as functions a technical resource within a section of an environmental program area.

Evaluates the potential impact of proposed and existing ground water and surface water withdrawals, drilling, mining, and dredging operations on public health and safety, the State’s natural resources, the environment, wildlife and fisheries, and private and public property;

Reviews permit applications associated with mining, well drilling, and well construction for technical sufficiency and regulatory compliance and recommends their approval, denial or modification;

Evaluates the availability and the quality of water supplies, locates aquifers and conducts aquifer testing, reviews the work of external consultants who conduct aquifer or other types of environmental testing and exercises authority to order new or revised tests as needed;

Prepares technical documents and reports to address assigned sites or geographical areas;

Interprets and prepares geological maps that define environmental contamination in earth, sediment and groundwater;

Compiles and interprets data and information from field investigations, environmental sampling, existing files and land records, permits, geological maps, and photographs;

Identifies new public water supply wells in areas safe from potential sources of contaminants;

Delineates wellhead protection areas for public water supply wells and approves the siting of new public water supply wells to ensure their integrity and safety;

Works collaboratively with geologists, engineers and environmental personnel from other State agencies, such as the Department of Natural Resources or representatives of federal agencies or programs such, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to exchange environmental and geological data and information;

Presents technical information during public hearings, ensuring that information is understood by a wide audience;

Responds to inquiries from citizens, property owners, the media, attorneys and environmental consultants regarding environmental sampling results and policy issues;

Uses a variety of standard office and specialized software applications such as computer-aided design (CAD) and geographic information software (GIS) to simulate or model geological conditions, the movement of soil and water through the environment and the occurrence of environmental contaminants;

Uses a variety of standard office and specific software applications to prepare maps, construction plans and graphics;

Uses conventional and global positioning satellite (GPS) surveying techniques to locate sinkholes, well and stream monitoring points and to gather topographic data;

Applies relevant State and federal regulations to environmental and public health and safety issues;

Operates, calibrates and troubleshoots a variety of scientific field and laboratory equipment and devices;

May provide technical guidance to summer technical assistants;

May testify as a subject matter expert during administrative hearings and court trials on matters regarding the review of permit applications;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, theories, and techniques of geology and the related earth sciences, chemistry, physics and mathematics;

Knowledge of State and federal environmental laws and regulations;

Skill in operating various scientific, sampling and surveying equipment and devices;

Skill in applying the scientific and applied principles, theories, techniques and methodologies to the field of environmental geology or geological investigation;

Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with State, federal and community representatives, property owners, business owners, consultants and the general public;

Ability to use available tools, techniques and software applications to study and investigate geologic and environmental issues and problems;

Ability to communicate technical information to a wide audience.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Geology, Environmental Geology or a related earth science.

Experience: Three years of experience performing professional geological work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Geology, Environmental Geology or a related earth science for the required education and one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in physical science classification or physical science specialty codes in the geology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Depending on the assigned essential functions of the work, employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete and maintain certification as specified in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulations (Standards-29 CFR) 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. Information about these regulations is available in the Human Resources Office of the Maryland Department of the Environment or may be obtained at the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration Website.

1. Employees in this classification may be required to walk over rough or unstable terrain or over long distances while wearing personal protection equipment such as respiratory protection equipment.

2. Employees in this classification may be subject to ongoing medical testing in accordance with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.

3. Employees in this classification may be subject to call-in on a twenty-four hour basis and, therefore, will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.