Geologist 3 (PCN 10-2243) presso State of Alaska, AK

About the Department

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, is recruiting for a Geologist 3.

Duty station: Fairbanks (preferred) or Anchorage. Final location set upon selection.

What You Will Be Doing:  

The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) Coastal Hazards Program (CHP) conducts monitoring and scientific investigations along Alaska's 40,000+ miles of shoreline. Alaska's shoreline is geologically diverse and dynamic, requiring our team to work with a broad group of collaborators and stakeholders to understand how the coastline has evolved and how it will respond to hazardous events and long-term changes. DGGS is seeking a geologist to join the CHP to work on a wide range of coastal research projects to support resilient communities and infrastructure in Alaska. The successful applicant will work under the direction of the CHP manager and use knowledge of coastal geomorphology, geology, field data collection for coastal hazards, surveying, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geospatial data analysis and processing, and airborne/satellite remote sensing to make meaningful contributions to the program. This Permanent Seasonal position is grant-funded for 12 months a year for five years, with opportunities for extensions depending on future project funds. This is one of three concurrent geologist recruitments for DGGS's Coastal Hazards Program; if eligible for more than one of the open positions, applicants are encouraged to submit multiple applications.

Mission and Values/Culture:  

The DGGS mission is to determine the potential of Alaskan land for the production of metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources, the locations and supplies of groundwater and construction material, and the potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations and structures (AS 41.08.020). The Coastal Hazards Program conducts mapping, monitoring, and modeling to evaluate vulnerabilities to coastal flooding and erosion. This program is dedicated to fostering scientific partnerships that will improve the quality and quantity of the critical baseline data necessary to fuel informed decision-making throughout the state. Program priorities are motivated by the needs of over 144 communities in Alaska facing threats to infrastructure from extreme weather events and environmental changes. 

Benefits of Joining Our Team:  

DGGS offers ample opportunity for on-the-job training, a flexible work schedule, and partnership with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about their work and the mission of the division. Staff are encouraged to learn and grow through work activities, from each other’s experiences, and via structured training in technical/science topics (e.g., ArcGIS, geospatial processing techniques, modeling software). The Coastal Hazards Program includes dedicated staff who work together as a team to meet program goals. This position is important to the functioning of the survey, as ongoing investigations, partnerships, and collection and distribution of baseline data will expand our understanding of how the coastline has evolved and how it will respond to hazardous events and long-term changes, leading to decreased risk and increasingly resilient and empowered communities. 

The Working Environment You Can Expect:  

This Geologist 3 position may be located at the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys' (DGGS) Geologic Materials Center in Anchorage or at DGGS's Fairbanks office.

The Coastal Hazards Program is composed of a team of 3-5 staff and supported by other sections and programs located in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The Coastal Hazards Program works with a diverse range of collaborators and stakeholders across sectors. The daily work environment consists of research-focused desk work and summer field investigations conducted in remote Alaska communities. Program activities also include regular interaction with Alaska Native community members.  DGGS staff effectively use telecommunications resources to work across geographic boundaries and work in a dynamic and positive learning environment that not only supports teamwork and collaboration but also supports autonomous work.

We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.  

• Geology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the origins and structure of the earth, including the physical forces that have shaped it and its physical and organic history.
• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Scientific Research: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry, including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and the reporting of results.
• Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
• Partnering: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Geology and Geophysical Surveys.

Position Duties

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering.
AND
Two years of entry professional level experience in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering. This experience is met by service as a Geologist 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
OR
One year of journey professional level experience in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering. This experience is met by service as a Geologist 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

OR
A master's degree from an accredited college in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering.

Equivalent combinations of professional experience and graduate level education in the geoscience fields described above are acceptable and will be considered as follows: 24 graduate semester hours=one full year of graduate education=one full year of professional experience.

Starting Salaries

Fairbanks – $2918.25 biweekly

Anchorage – $2833.50 biweekly

Minimum Qualifications

** Please read the information below carefully. **

At the time of application, the applicant must attach the following items as individual documents; failure to provide the requested documentation may result in non-consideration.  If you are unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below.   Required documents include:

At the time of the interview, please ensure that you provide the following materials.  Failure to do so may result in loss of consideration.  Required documents include: 

• Driver's license
• Three professional references
• Transcripts
• Copies of peer-reviewed published papers and geologic maps
• Firearms certification form - link to form

SPECIAL NOTICES

• This position will require travel within the state (typically 3-8 trips of 10 days or less per year, usually occurring in spring, summer, and fall). Travel may include short-notice trips for emergency response to major coastal storm events within the state.
• Requires occasional lifting and carrying a pack up to 50 lbs.
• This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition in support of remote field investigations and associated travel.

Application Notice

You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or by submitting a paper application. Instructions on how to apply can be found on the Workplace Alaska How to Apply webpage (link).  Your application must be received by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.  

Cover Letter

A cover letter is required for this position at the time of application and will serve as a writing sample. In addition to the standard Minimum Job Qualifications for a Geologist 3, the following knowledge and skills are REQUIRED for this position. Please ensure that all of these skills are documented in your cover letter and applicant profile. If you don't have experience with one or more of the abilities listed, please say so in your required cover letter.

• Knowledge and experience in coastal geology.
• Experience using GIS to analyze and manage data and create digital maps and other geospatial tools for data compilation, analysis, and publications.
• Experience processing field data and aerial imagery (e.g., UAV surveys) and interpreting the data to quantify geospatial change.
• Experience in surveying and collecting detailed, accurate field observations, samples, and geologic and spatial data (e.g., GNSS-GPS, Trimble Business Center, NOAA-NGS Online Positioning User Service) in remote locations and/or rugged conditions.

Your cover letter should be two to three paragraphs, no longer than one page. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online; if you cannot attach it, email it to the contact number below.   

Supplemental Questions

For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions.  The State of Alaska (SOA) utilizes four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant’s level of competence in applying certain behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish a specific task. The four proficiency levels are Mastery, Fluency, Literacy, and Discovery. You must rate your proficiency level for each competency listed in the supplemental questions.

Education

If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill out the Education section of the application. If you have not yet obtained a degree, please indicate the units you have completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. 

Special Instructions for Foreign Education

Education completed at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If using this education to meet minimum qualification requirements, you must demonstrate that the credentials have been submitted to a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in standard U.S. education programs. Alternatively, an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution must report that the other institution's transcript is given full value or that full value is recognized in relevant subject areas aligned with the post-secondary institution's curricula. It is your responsibility to provide this evidence when applying. 

Work Experience

If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, job title, employment dates, and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether the responses are supported and whether the minimum qualifications are met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase. 

Note: Attaching a resume is not a substitute for completing the application in its entirety. Noting, "see resume" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.  

Bargaining Unit

If you are a current state employee, please indicate the union to which you belong at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee. 

Driver’s License Requirement

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.  

Firearms

This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.

A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aids or services, or alternative communication formats should call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Other Qualifications

If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure that your email address is correct on your application and that your spam filter will permit emails from the governmentjobs.com domain.

Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to [email protected].

For assistance with your password, please visit the reset password page.

For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:

Nora Nieminski

Coastal Hazards Program Manager

Phone: 907-754-3595

Email: [email protected]