PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST IV

8377C3

Pay Grade: 32

DEFINITION OF WORK

Summary

This is administrative and advanced professional work in a geology, environmental geology and/or groundwater program.

Work involves planning, coordinating and overseeing the execution of technical projects, preparing designs, plans, estimates, and calculations, and overseeing inspections, testing, and the collection of data for a state or district wide program, most as a supervisor or manager. Work includes formulating and implementing the program in adherence to policies, standards and procedures; and training and supervising professional and technical staff in developing and accomplishing goals and objectives.

Distinguishing Features

Differs from the Professional Geologist III in which the incumbents work with a high level of technical expertise and are expected to represent the agency in their subject area of specialty when interacting with local, state, and federal agencies, private industry, professional peers, and the public. At this level, incumbents primary responsibility is coordinating projects or leading other geologists or consultants in accomplishing the work.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Establishes priorities for work and scheduled investigations and plans and assigns projects to staff or other jurisdictions or organizations.

Reviews progress and technical direction for validity and conformance with agency policies and requirements and approves reports and recommendations. Provides technical expertise on difficult or sensitive geologic matters.

Oversees technical subcontracts and interagency agreements for specialized services. Reviews preliminary contract plans and specifications to ensure consistency with research objectives for the State and develops contract documents for specialized services by private consultants, exploration companies, and private testing laboratories.

Oversees evaluation of potential hazards, determining feasibility, locations, and safe development of projects. Inspect field work of outside agencies, contractors, or private industry to ensure proper application and compliance with rules, regulations, and professional standards.

Establishes goals and strategies to accomplish scientific objectives, define the project scope and monitor progress, ensuring proper application of scientific concepts, analyses of geologic data and compliance with governmental rules and regulations.

Provides expert technical advice to supervisors, managers, private industry, professional peers, and local, state, and federal agencies on issues of deep well drilling, economic mineral potential, strategic economic planning, critical bridge and road construction, and long-term large-scale geologic mapping.

Plans, organizes, directs and controls activities of a state or district wide program which involves approving subsurface oil field and other injection wells, salt solution mining wells, industrial waste injection wells, oil field and LPG brine surface holding facilities, petroleum storage tanks and statewide licensing of water well contractors.

Plans, organizes, directs and controls activities of a state or district wide program for surveillance, monitoring, and inspection of industrial and oil field brine injection or waste management systems, water well construction and plugging, salt solution mining wells, and oil and hazardous materials spill investigations.

Determines the impact of acquisition of a contaminated site.

Designs, supervises, and assesses investigations of waste sites that are potentially hazardous.

Reviews and edits environmental documents to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with current laws, formats and distribution.

Plans, organizes, directs and controls activities of a state or district wide program pertaining to the control of groundwater aquifer designation, acceptable minimum standards for well construction and completion programs, brine and industrial waste injection depths, and hydrogeologic and geologic design criteria for solid and hazardous waste post closure sites, LPG brine storage and oil field waste management sites.

Plans, organizes, directs and controls activities of a program responsible for state or district wide activities pertaining to petroleum, hazardous and non-hazardous site investigation and remediation.

Directs, plans and approves procedures used in developing well monitoring systems for observation, sampling, or cleanup.

Coordinates assigned activities and functions with other environmental programs, departmental divisions, and state agencies.

Assists in preparing the budget for the bureau or division and grant applications for state and federal cost sharing activities.

Represents the agency at meetings, hearings, and conferences with the public and federal, state and local governmental agencies.

Directs and coordinates section/unit training activities for geologists and technicians regarding new procedures and rules.

Proposes and develops rules, regulations, and amendments necessary to carry out activities and functions.

Provides overall supervision of the work of lower level and/or project geologists, environmental or regulatory technicians or consultants; provides technical guidance and establishes priorities for all projects within the assigned area.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge

*Knowledge of geologic processes and their interrelationships.

*Knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of groundwater and the mechanics of groundwater pollution movement.

*Knowledge of petroleum exploration and production operations and/or gas storage operations.

*Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to all geologic venues.

Knowledge of the past and present geologic setting of Kansas.

*Knowledge of the principles of effective management, supervision and administration.

Abilities

*Ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise the activities of others.

*Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.

*Ability to prepare and direct the preparation of comprehensive technical reports and analysis.

*Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

*Ability to speak effectively in public.

*Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, governmental and industrial officials, and the public.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Professional geology license recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions and four years of experience as a professional geologist.
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NC: 03/05
REV: 08/05