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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50641131 |
Description Activated On: 1/26/2026 3:18:28 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. The position is in the Geologic Resources Division (Middletown) and will be responsible for geological and geochemical studies of critical minerals of Pennsylvania, mineral resources of Pennsylvania, and the geologic history of Pennsylvania through our participation in the United States Geological Survey Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (USGS Earth MRI) program. Under supervision, employee primarily conducts under supervision and/or assists in critical mineral, industrial mineral, and non-fuel mineral resource research activities. In a secondary capacity and in support of the primary activities, the employee will carry out critical minerals studies under supervision in cooperation with state and federal agencies and universities to address problems beyond the scope of the Earth MRI efforts to aid the citizens and economy of Pennsylvania. Employee conveys information learned through publications, presentations, mentoring, and/or outreach. This position terminates on December 3, 2028, at the conclusion of externally funded support. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Planning work activities to meet Bureau objectives in such a manner that they contribute to the overall goals of the Department by: 1. Obtaining, collecting, sampling, compiling, and interpreting new and historical geochemical data for rocks, minerals, soils, water, and gases to complete the required needs of the federal Earth MRI awards. 2. Pursuing geologic mapping needs as specified by Earth MRI project requirements and as directed by Supervisor, Division Manager, and/or Bureau Director. This will include field visits and interpretation, remote sensing, interpretation of data, and the construction of an ArcGIS-based geologic mapping product. 3. Pursuing directed critical mineral research that reflects the needs of Bureau staff, government agencies, industry, academia, and Commonwealth citizens. 4. Assisting in long- and intermediate-term strategies that reflect the needs of Bureau staff, industry, government agencies, academia, and Commonwealth citizens. This includes establishing and maintaining contacts within the Department, government agencies, environmental organizations, individual mineral producers, mineral industry associations, professional societies, and other such entities as will help identify the future geological, environmental and economic needs facing Pennsylvania’s citizens. 5. Providing feedback and input that will lead to the implementation of improved strategies. 6. Performing other duties as assigned. Undertaking and completing both assigned and proposed mineral resource analysis projects to achieve Bureau objectives by: 1. Operating laboratory instrumentation and maintaining proficiency in rock preparation and analytical techniques. These techniques include, but are not limited to: a. thin-section preparation and interpretation b. sample preparation for geochemical analyses c. operation of analytical and preparatory equipment, such as: i. rock preparation and crushing equipment ii. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) iii. scanning electron microscope (SEM)–energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), iv. SEM-based electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) v. portable hand-held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer vi. portable hand-held laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzer. 2. Acting as liaison between Bureau staff and external laboratories that perform contracted or volunteered work (e.g., sample preparation, analytical research, thin sections) that cannot be performed in-house. 3. Maintaining and making available an accessible record of geochemical data for the Earth MRI projects and other critical mineral resource projects. 4. Providing prompt service to requests for assistance from Bureau staff, industry, academia, individuals, and government agencies. 5. Assisting Section staff in maintaining laboratory facilities for Bureau and Section use. 6. Representing the Bureau by attendance at professional and industry association meetings where feasible, particularly in matters concerning critical minerals. 7. Maintaining organized rock, soil, and mineral collections for Earth MRI and critical mineral projects. Specific work duties include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Assisting in planning and carrying out systematic investigations on rock, mineral and soil samples, focused on critical mineral analysis. This includes chemical and physical properties. 2. Compiling historical and modern scientific literature to determine the present state of knowledge concerning Pennsylvania’s historical mineral commodities and potential new critical mineral and rare earth element resources. 3. Operating our analytical instrumentation and interpreting the data produced, operating and basic maintenance of optical petrographic microscope and sample preparation laboratories, as needed. 4. Synthesizing, analyzing, and interpreting data collected to complete required products for Earth MRI projects and other critical mineral projects. 5. Presenting geologic data and interpretations, and preparing geologic maps, tables, and other illustrations. 6. Maintaining storage areas for active research collections. 7. Investigating potential new economic resources and reevaluating historical sources. 8. Providing technical review of geologic reports by other State and Federal agencies, as well as Bureau staff. 9. Representing the Bureau as a speaker on subjects concerning mineral resource analysis, critical mineral studies, and the Earth MRI program at meetings of professional, scientific, or educational organizations. 10. Performing other related work as required. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. This position has decision-making authority for day-to-day decisions on execution of routine tasks. Employee refers unusual, sensitive, or precedent-setting issues to Supervisor. Recommendations for more efficient operations to execute project work are discussed with and approved by Supervisor and Division Manager before its potential implementation. Recommendations for future projects or modification of scope of Earth MRI projects are discussed with Supervisor and Division Manager prior to referral to Bureau Director. Supervision is conducted through one-on-one meetings and regular evaluations. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: • 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 geochemical and petrography laboratory instrumentation and analytical techniques. Our research interests include using petrographic microscope, mineral spectroscopy and remote sensing, XRD, SEM, XRF, EBSD, LIBS, carbon, oxygen, radiogenic, and non-traditional stable isotope techniques. • Knowledge of mathematics, statistics, chemistry, and physics as they apply to the interpretation and utilization of geologic data. • Knowledge of the use and functionality of geospatial or geographic information systems (GIS) and database software. Experience with Esri ArcGIS Pro and/or Esri ArcGIS Online is preferred. • Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software. • Familiarity and prior instruction on interpreting topographic maps, aerial photographs, remote sensing images, and geologic maps. • Ability to prepare charts, illustrations, and tables summarizing results of field and laboratory investigations. • Ability to utilize GIS software to integrate multiple datasets pursuant to the production of a geologic map. • Ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify and resolve problems. • Ability to analyze written and numerical information. • Ability to communicate effectively orally. • Ability to communicate effectively in writing. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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