Geologist 1 at DOWL

Why DOWL?
DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Geosciences

At DOWL, our Geosciences team is at the core of safe, efficient, and successful infrastructure development. Whether it’s a building, bridge, utility, roadway, or dam, every project starts with a deep understanding of what lies beneath. Our geoscience professionals apply advanced knowledge in soil and rock mechanics, geophysical surveys, and soils engineering to solve real-world challenges and deliver practical, data-driven solutions. From initial planning and permitting to hands-on fieldwork, analysis, and construction support, we evaluate subsurface conditions to guide every stage of development. If you're passionate about applying geoscience to build smarter, safer infrastructure, we invite you to bring your expertise to our collaborative and forward-thinking team.

Summary

The Geologist 1 provides basic levels of technical support and geology assistance to Geotechnical Engineers. Duties include logistics and scheduling of drilling crews, outlining laboratory testing, conducting geophysical data collection, performing data analysis, and providing assistance in the preparation of geotechnical reports. This person is expected to exercise a strong work ethic and organizational skills. Due to the field nature of this position, employees must have the ability to travel away from their home location for extended periods of time to work on-site at projects. Work performed by this person is closely supervised and supported by licensed staff. The Geologist 1 should demonstrate entry-level proficiency with basic geologic fundamentals and be able to quickly learn and apply new skills. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Basic
• Market Sector Software (gINT/Geosystems) - Basic

Technical Expertise

• Basic understanding of technical fundamentals
• Performs basic technical tasks assigned by market sector with oversight from others
• Motivated to learn new technical skills through self-study and mentoring.

Teamwork

Team player who mostly functions in a supporting role in a project team setting. Collaborates, listens, takes direction well, retains information provided, and is motivated to grow skills and help the team.

Project Delivery

Produces the following under close direction/oversight from others:

• Technical reports and memos
• Laboratory requests (basic)
• Calculations (basic)

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Basic understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Collaborates with supervisor and/or resource manager to plan work time on assignments. Conducts basic monitoring of budget and schedule for simple project tasks assigned.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Demonstrates basic familiarity with the following design codes:

• ASCE 7
• AASHTO
• IBC
• Local Codes

Client Interaction

Infrequent direct client interaction. Reads emails, occasionally attend client meetings, listens, and prepares meeting minutes.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs basic levels of technical work on projects in support of more experienced staff within the market sector. Operates with minimal autonomy as work is closely supervised by more senior staff.

Supervisory Duties

None

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Years of experience required: none
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: none

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver’s license is required to support legitimate business purposes.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Ability to dig with shovel or digging bars; ability to walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice; and routinely lift and carry between 30 and 50 pounds. May need to work at remote sites.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.

In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud due to the proximity to construction sites and related equipment.

In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.