JOB TITLE: GEOSCIENCE MANAGER

JOB CODE: 14950

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The geology series describes professional work in the application of geologic principles in support of agency specific programs.

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible managerial and administrative work directing a geoscience program designed to study, chart, map, and preserve geologic features and resources.

An employee in this job is responsible for directing and managing, through subordinate supervisors or professional staff, highly complex geologic activities that have significant impact on the use of geologic, natural, and environmental resources. Work involves directing the development of policies and procedures and reviewing completed studies and projects to ensure overall accuracy and compliance with geologic practices and technical standards. Work also involves planning and directing cooperative geologic programs and managing interactions with executive staff and legal counsel, as well as federal, state, local, and other agency operational program representatives to ensure geological goals and strategies are aligned with the agency mission, and any impeding issues are effectively resolved. Work may include directing geological and geospatial data collection, management, and validation, and transferring data and maps into geodatabase format for public use. Administrative oversight is exercised over subordinate professional supervisors and staff working in geologic and related programs. Work is performed independently and is reviewed by an administrative director for the attainment of objectives and overall effectiveness of operations.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Positions appropriate to this job serve in the following capacities:

          o Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the development, implementation, and evaluation of highly complex geoscience projects involving the exploration of natural gas production and storage; or energy, mineral resource, and groundwater investigations that typically involve large-scale scope or coordination among multiple government programs, high visibility, and significant impact on the agency’s mission or public safety.

          o Supervises professional staff responsible for the development of GIS maps and reports, geologic formation assessments, and geologic hazard studies to identify and mitigate geological threats.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Develops, organizes, and administers policies and plans for one or more statewide programs, including regional geology, groundwater, mineral resources, oil and gas resources, geologic and geospatial data management, and environmental protection and conservation.

• Reviews completed studies and projects to ensure overall accuracy and compliance with existing geologic practices, procedures, and technical standards.

• Administers geologic programs within the department and coordinates with other state agencies and appropriate federal cooperative programs.

• Directs the conversion of handwritten data, drillhole logs, and historical maps into digital databases to be used for exploration and mining.

• Evaluates the collection, validation, and organization of topographic flow path and hydrography datasets.

• Recommends laws, regulations, and departmental policies pertaining to geology, groundwater, mineral resources, oil and gas resources, and environmental surveys.

• Advises governmental agencies, industrial organizations, conservation groups, recreational agencies, planning groups, educational institutions, and the public on statewide geologic matters.

• Integrates geologic program activities with water, mineral, and conservation programs.

• Conducts final technical review of professional manuscripts, maps, and illustrations being considered for publication.

• Represents the commonwealth, department, or bureau at national, state, and regional conferences and committee meetings, with professional organizations, and in hearings.

• Oversees the purchasing and use of computer technology, software, and databases as they apply to the organization and use of geologic or geospatial data.

• Evaluates scientific and technical reports.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organization requirements.

• Operates motor vehicles.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of general and historical geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, mineralogy, field geology, structural geology, petrology, geomorphology, paleontology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy.

• Knowledge of mathematics, statistics, chemistry, and physics as they apply to the interpretation and utilization of geologic data.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of scientific technical writing.

• Knowledge of methods and equipment used in geologic investigations.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify and resolve problems.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year as a Geoscience Supervisor (commonwealth title);

or

• Four years of professional geology experience including one year in an administrative or supervisory capacity; and a bachelor's degree in geology, hydrogeology, geoscience, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field that includes 30 college credits in geologic coursework;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of experience in professional supervisory geologic work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active PA non-commercial Class C driver’s license or equivalent.