State of Maryland

A Geologist Supervisor, Environmental Programs is the supervisory level of professional geological work with a focus on environmental programs at the Maryland Department of the Environment.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level professional Geologists and may supervise other environmental and support staff.

Employees in this classification receive managerial supervision from a Geologist Manager, Environmental Programs or other designated manager.  The work may involve travel and field work and employees must be available to travel depending on the assignment.   In the field, employees may experience a variety of conditions related to weather and terrain.  They 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 Supervisor, Environmental Programs is differentiated from the Geologist Lead/Advanced, Environmental Programs in that the Geologist Supervisor, Environmental Programs functions as a first-line supervisor over lower-level Geologists while the Geologist Lead/Advanced, Environmental Programs assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Geologists or functions as a technical resource within a section of an environmental program.  The Geologist Supervisor, Environmental Programs is differentiated from the Geologist Manager, Environmental Programs in that the Geologist Manager, Environmental Programs provides technical and administrative oversight to a division of professional Geologists within an environmental program area.

Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the work of lower-level professional Geologists within an environmental program area;

Oversees administrative and technical aspects of environmental investigations and projects including budget preparation and human resources planning;

Supervises the preparation of geological and environmental reports, maps, graphical displays and other technical documents;

Ensures reports can be understood by members of the public;

Solicits and evaluates cost estimates for contractor services required for the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites;

Supervises the siting of new public water supply wells and the planning of well system installation;

Trains or supervises the training of lower-level Geologists in areas such as the delineation of wellhead protection areas, the methodologies of data interpretation, sample preparation and examination, and the monitoring of well drilling and well construction operations;

Represents the Department at public meetings or hearings;

Interprets State and federal environmental laws and regulations concerning well construction and drilling, public water supplies and clean up of hazardous waste sites;

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 and to prepare maps, construction plans and graphics;

Uses conventional and global positioning satellite (GPS) surveying techniques;

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

May prepare briefing materials and correspondence for Program Managers or higher-level administrators;

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;

Knowledge of the principles of supervision;

Skill in communicating technical information to a wide audience and presenting the Department’s interests and concerns;

Skill in applying the procedures and protocols necessary to site new public water supply wells in areas safe from potential sources of contaminants;

Skill in applying the methodology needed for delineating wellhead protection areas for public water supply wells;

Ability to supervise the work of professional Geologists;

Ability to train lower-level 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 tools, techniques and software applications to study and investigate geologic and environmental issues and problems.

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

Experience: Six 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. Department of Labor, 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 Hazard 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 not assigned to a bargaining unit as indicated by the designation of S (supervisor), M (manager), T (agency head), U (Board or Commission member), W (student), X (excluded by executive order),  or Z (confidential).  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 therefore, all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.