State of Maryland

A Geologist Lead/Advanced, Environmental Programs is the lead or advanced level of professional geological work with a focus on environmental programs.  Employees in this classification with lead worker responsibilities assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Geologists but do not supervise other positions.  Employees in this classification with advanced level responsibilities provide both broader and more in-depth levels of technical knowledge to other Geologists within their section but do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Geologist Supervisor, Environmental Programs 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.  Employees may be required to walk considerable distances over rough or unstable terrain.  Employees may be exposed to standard physical hazards associated with construction sites, and industrial and manufacturing operations and equipment.  Employees may be exposed to hazardous substances and fumes at field sites.  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 Lead/Advanced, Environmental Programs is differentiated from the Geologist III, Environmental Programs in that the Geologist Lead/Advanced, Environmental Programs assign, review and approve the work of lower-level Geologists or functions as a technical resource within a section of an environmental program area while the Geologist III, Environmental Programs performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Geologist Lead/Advanced, Environmental Programs is differentiated from the Geologist Supervisor, Environmental Programs in that the Geologist Supervisor, Environmental Programs has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Geologists.

Geologist Lead

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of lower-level Geologists within a section of an environmental program area;

Trains lower-level Geologists in areas such as the delineation of wellhead protection areas; the methodology of data interpretation, sample preparation and examination; and operations associated with the monitoring of well drilling and well construction;

Plans and oversees sectional environmental investigations and projects, selecting issues or areas of concern to advance section objectives and formulates the goals and timetables associated with such studies and projects;

Reviews complex permit applications and determines appropriate requirements and conditions to be written into permits;

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

Reviews technical documents and reports addressing complex or large-scale geographical areas and recommends actions for remediation, reclamation or on-going inspecting and monitoring activities;

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

Presents technical information during public hearings and ensures that information communicated may be understood by a wide audience;

Responds to inquiries from the general public;

Testifies as a subject matter expert during administrative and judicial hearings and court trials on environmental geology, scientific issues, and departmental policies;

Applies relevant State and federal regulations to environmental and public health and safety 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 standard office and specialized 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;

May design geologic, geophysical or hydrological data bases using database management tools;

Performs other related duties.

Geologist Advanced

Serves as a technical resource for a section of an environmental program area by assuming leadership responsibilities for the geological, geophysical or hydrogeological aspects of environmental investigations and projects;

Conducts independent research and investigation in applied environmental geological areas;

Plans and oversees sectional environmental investigations and projects, selecting issues or areas of concern to advance section objectives and formulates the goals and timetables associated with such studies and projects;

Reviews complex permit applications and determines appropriate requirements and conditions to be written into permits;

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

Reviews technical documents and reports addressing complex or large-scale geographical areas and recommends actions for remediation, reclamation or on-going inspecting and monitoring activities;

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

Presents technical information during public hearings and ensures that information communicated may be understood by a wide audience;

Responds to inquiries from the general public;

Testifies as a subject matter expert during administrative and judicial hearings and court trials on environmental geology, scientific issues, and departmental policies;

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

May design geologic, geophysical or hydrological data bases using database management tools;

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 a variety of 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 assign, review and approve the work of professional Geologists;

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 electronic tools and 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: Five 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.