GEOLOGY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH STATE AGENCIES

In the very near future, many geology professionals will be retiring from state agencies across the southeast. This will result in a large number of geology vacancies, and many of these will be filled with geologists with little or no experience. The purpose of this presentation is to provide geology students and recent graduates insight into the various responsibilities and duties geologists have while working as state employees. Geologists working in the public sector may serve as regulators of solid and hazardous waste sites, underground storage tank facilities, surface mining, or water permitting. They may also hold positions as field inspectors, routinely checking environmental compliance records and investigating complaints by local citizens.

The state Department of Transportation geologist positions include the following tasks: investigate bridge foundations; classify or survey soils; help identify and mitigate geologic hazards; analyze lake siltation and river migration; and conduct environmental investigations to determine the extent and severity of contamination. In many cases, geologists will monitor and test the raw materials to be used for bridge and road construction. Most of this work is conducted in collaboration with large aggregate-producing quarries across the state.