STATE GEOLOGIST, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
State Geologist, Geological Survey is an unclassified state title, filled by appointment and outside the tenure protections that cover the competitive ranks.
Qualifying takes a master's degree and 8 years of relevant experience. Its salary schedule (frozen at an older rate) lists $83,210 to $116,477, though managerial and exempt titles like this are usually paid individually rather than on the step schedule, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
State Geologist, Geological Survey appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $161,742. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of the Director/Deputy Director, Division of Water Resources, Department of Environmental Protection, is responsible for the administration, direction and execution of the work programs, staff and activities of Geological Survey Element; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Directs the work programs and staff of the New Jersey Geological Survey including preparing scientific programs of investigations to obtain geologic, hydrologic, or topographic information, making scientific information available to citizens of the State, including the work of a Geology and Topographic program, Technical Support Program, Ground Water Pollution Analysis Program; and Ground Water Resources Evaluation Program.
- Reviews and evaluates work methods, operations and procedures and the adequacy of specialized tools and equipment in order to determine that work is performed in the most efficient, scientifically accurate and expeditious manner consistent with available funds, personnel, equipment and up-to-date techniques.
- Plans, organizes and supervises the work of the Geological Survey and coordinates the specific programs with Federal, States and local governmental agencies, and directs a technical assistance program which provides expertise in ground water geology and hydrology to other state agencies and local governments.
- Direct, supervises and coordinate the operations, procedures, work methods and schedules for projects undertaken by geological survey in order to bring them to completion within the time schedule and budget.
- Develops and implements a Statewide ground water management program.
- Plans and directs the gathering, compilation, analysis and interpretation of geologic data concerned with the natural resources, minerals, fossils, geologic formations, ground water resources, and topography of New Jersey.
- Plans and directs geologic and ground water resources evaluation programs which define the State's geologic formations, mineral resources, and aquifers in the surface and subsurface, and determines management strategies.
- Plans and directs a ground water pollution analysis program which assists State and local agencies in assessing the extent and seriousness of ground water pollution incidents.
- Directs technical support to the Attorney General in the prosecution of ground water pollution cases through depositions, preparation of exhibits, field investigations, data collection, and consultation.
- Directs the preparation of geological aquifer maps and reports which may be used by local government for planning and zoning; and directs the preparation of professionally competent graphs and models on geologic problems as they pertain to the occurrence of rocks, minerals, mineral fuels, and ground water or the application of geology and geophysics to engineering, regional planning and the protection of ground water supplies from contamination and depletion.
- Directs the construction of aquifer computer models to assist the Division in ground water allocation and management.
- Directs and collection of soil, mineral and water samples needed for laboratory study and, upon completion of such studies, incorporates the essential information in reports either designed for reproduction and public distribution or for specific Departmental action.
- Directs the maintenance and preparation of material for permanent record, and/or study collections of rocks, minerals, fossils, core borings, or well samples.
- Directs the operation and maintenance of well drilling equipment for the purpose of constructing monitor wells and obtaining subsurface geologic and ground water samples.
- Directs the operation and maintenance of state-of-the-art geophysical equipment and the training of personnel capable of utilizing the equipment for geologic and ground water investigations.
- Coordinates with Department's emergency response personnel to provide 24 hour response in ground water emergencies.
- Maintains close liaison with State agencies which regulate waste disposal and enforcement of laws relating to ground water contamination and clean-up and provides technical assistance.
- Directs the collection of and determines the content of the files which record in permanent accessible form such significant information concerning the geology, aquifers, the topography of the State as may be obtained through the examination of new road cuts, excavations, borings, quarry operations, mines, wells, geophysical surveys and logs, pump tests, and surveys of various kinds.
- Directs and originates programs or methods which will present in non-technical language, geologic, hydro geologic, and topographic information for the use of students, teachers, and/or interest non-professional individuals through reports, short summaries, statistical sheets, illustrations and/or training aids.
- Directs the preparation of and/or personally gives professionally competent and scientifically accurate lectures before lay and professional groups on the subject of New Jersey geology, mineral resources and ground water, and other subjects related to the Geological Survey.
- Prepares and directs the preparation of clear, technically accurate, scientifically sound and accurate geological and related reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Prepares and administers the element budget and advises the Director on the impact of the budgetary changes.
- Coordinates personnel activities related to the Element including recruitment, classification training, performance standards, job specification and recommends the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and disciplining of employees.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in geology. Possession of a Master's degree in Geology will satisfy the educational requirement if the applicant lacks the Bachelor's degree in Geology.
Experience
Eight (8) years of experience in geology, three (3) years of which shall have been in the direct management of geologic staff, and administration of geologic and/or ground water programs.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the science and practice of geology and hydro geology.
- Knowledge of the problems likely to be encountered in making investigations of the location, extent, quality, and availability of the mineral resources and ground water supplies of the State.
- Knowledge of the methods used in compiling, interpreting and presenting geologic information in: geologic reports, maps, cross-sections, mineral resources, ground water, engineering geology, and economic geology.
- Knowledge of the principles, standards and techniques used in preparing scientific reports and maps for publication.
- Knowledge of the procedures and techniques useful in directing field studies and/or laboratory studies in: area geology, structural geology, petrology. Mineralogy, engineering geology, stratigraphy, economic geology, and ground water geology.
- Knowledge of the procedures, principles and techniques used in working with specialized equipment used in geologic and ground water supply.
- Knowledge of the geology, topography, mineral resources, and ground waters of New Jersey.
- Ability to organize assigned technical geologic and administrative work, analyze geologic and ground water problems, and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to plan, develop and implement appropriate programs, standards, procedures and schedules for the Element.
- Ability to motivate and give appropriate assignments, instructions, and supervision to professional, technical, clerical, and other employees.
- Ability to supervise the proper use, storage, safeguarding and maintenance of the special equipment, materials, supplies and files used in geologic and hydrologic work.
- Ability to locate and trace the boundaries of geological formation, including mineral deposits and aquifers.
- Ability to establish cooperative work relationships with Federal, State and local agencies.
- Ability to direct the gathering, evaluation and provision of accurate geo-hydrologic, geologic, and topographic information in various forms, as may be required.
- Ability to direct the preparation of accurate reports, graphs, and maps, and diagrams concerned with geologic problems as they pertain to the occurrence of rocks, mineral, mineral fuels, ground water pollution and supply and the application of geology to engineering and regional planning.
- Ability to direct the collection of samples of laboratory study and the preparation of reports for public distribution or Departmental Action.
- Ability to lecture and/or provide lecture services to lay and professional groups on the subject of New Jersey geology, topography, mineral resources, ground water, and other related subjects.
- Ability to prepare or direct the preparation of the budget request of the Element.
- Ability to deal with the general public in a diplomatic manner.
- Ability to prepare technical correspondence in the course of official duties.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Master's degree in geology may be substituted for one (1) year of non- supervisory experience.
A Doctor's degree in geology may be substituted for two (2) years of non- supervisory experience.