State of Maryland

A Geologist Program Chief, Maryland Geological Survey is the supervisory level of professional geological work with the Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) at the Department of Natural Resources.  Employees in this classification plan and lead geological investigations and projects for a program area at the MGS.  Employees in this classification supervise professional Geologists, environmental and support staff.

Employees in this classification receive managerial supervision from a Program Manager or other designated manager.

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 Program Chief, Maryland Geological Survey is differentiated from the Geologist Program Consultant, Maryland Geological Survey in that the Geologist Program Chief, Maryland Geological Survey has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Geologists, Maryland Geological Survey and for a program area while the Geologist Program Consultant, Maryland Geological Survey performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision and functions as the designated technical and program expert for a specialized area within the geological discipline or earth science field.

Plans, coordinates, manages and evaluates the work of professional Geologists, environmental and support staff within a program area;

Provides technical and administrative oversight and project leadership on high priority or controversial environmental projects and issues, including budget preparation and human resources planning;

Develops and implements program area policies and procedures;

Reviews and approves the publication of geological maps, technical reports and educational materials for use by the general public;

Represents the MGS and the Department at Statewide, regional and national meetings and committees;

Prepares correspondence and briefing materials for the State Geologist’s signature;

Interprets State and federal environmental laws and regulations;

Testifies as a subject matter expert during administrative or legislative hearings and court trials;

Performs other related duties.

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

Experience: Experience supervising the work of professional Geologists.

Note: Specific educational and experience requirements are set by the agency based on the essential job functions assigned to the position.

Class Descriptions 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 job functions of each position.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

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.