IT IS AN EXCITING TIME TO WORK FOR A STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: TRENDS IN FUNDING, EMPLOYMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION OF THE UNITED STATES

Every state government in the mid-Atlantic region has a geological survey or equivalent agency. While the affiliation, mission, and size of these organizations vary, each employs geoscientists who create maps, reports, and digital datasets and provide useful information to the public to encourage economic development, environmental protection, and public safety. Over the past decade, increased funding related to critical minerals, geologic mapping, and data preservation, advances in technology such as lidar, high-resolution airborne geophysics, and 3D visualization software, and challenges related to changing climate, coastal resiliency, and energy transition are providing unprecedented opportunities for geoscientists seeking fulfilling careers. Revenue to state geological surveys in the U.S. has increased substantially in the past 5 years and is near historic highs. Increases in funding for federal programs, including those administered by the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Energy, have allowed surveys to leverage state funding and complete important work that meets state and national priorities. In the Mid-Atlantic region, the U.S. Geological Survey is a primary partner, and most states are working on projects funded through the STATEMAP, Earth MRI, and Data Preservation Programs. The moderate size of state surveys in the mid-Atlantic region, averaging 20 geoscientists, in combination with a wide range of ongoing projects, provides opportunities for staff to gain broad experience while allowing for career growth and advancement. The work of state geological surveys overlaps with interests of academia and the private sector, allowing staff the opportunity to collaborate with leading scientists and practitioners in the region. The development of national standards and databases for storing geologic information and the trend of collaborating to address multi-state issues are increasing the transferability of skills and allowing for greater mobility of geoscientists working at state surveys.