Job Posting: Senior Engineering Geologist; JC-283277 - Senior Engineering Geologist; $10,311.00 - $12,905.00 per Month; Final Filing Date: 1/20/2022; Telework available = Yes!
This is a Statewide recruitment. The incumbent will be headquartered in the county nearest their residence, including but not limited to the following counties: Sacramento, San Mateo, and Los Angeles.
https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=283277
Copied and pasted this from a LinkedIn post I saw:
The California Geological Survey is looking for a dynamic senior engineering geologist to supervise the landslide hazard mapping unit. We are looking for a candidate that can bring innovative mapping and modeling methods to help advance landslide hazard mapping in the state.
This position requires a Professional Geologist License as a minimum qualification. Requires the supervision of three talented engineering geologists.
https://lnkd.in/gjwVgM5z
Job Posting: Senior Engineering Geologist JC-283277 - Senior Engineering Geologist SENIOR ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST $10,311.00 - $12,905.00 per Month Final Filing Date: 1/20/2022 Telework available = Yes!
If you are new to state service you will need to take an self-certification exam to be eligible for interview. Please see the job announcement link for more information.https://lnkd.in/gjwVgM5z
I'm a Senior Geologist and Project Manager at a large engineering firm based in the USA, with large and big name projects domestic and international. Ask my Anything!
Background
I graduated in 2013 with a B.Sc. in Geology and spent 6-8 months looking for a job. Most of my coworkers got jobs in oilfield services like mudlogging, and ONE overachiever went straight to a big name oil company. In 2014 I was hired with my current company and have been moving up the ranks slowly but surely. I've never worked for another company, though I have thought about it at times (Doesn't everyone?). Fast-forward a few years most of my former classmates are not actively working in Geology. One or two are in government compliance or regulatory positions, a couple work for oil companies at a high level (the one or two overachievers), but most didn't continue in this field. I've gone from doing grunt work to managing my own projects and clients, while mentoring newer geologists entering our company (mentoring is really my favorite part of being a geologist)..
I spend my free time studying for the P.G. (sitting in March 2022), collecting minerals, and mentoring student geologists about industry (something they tell you very little about unless you buy into the pipe dream of working for the Big 3 (five?)).
I'm the only person who knew I wanted to be a geologist in my freshman year of college in my graduating class.
Expertise/Work Experience
I primarily do due diligence type work and environmental assessment and remediation but specialize in hydrogeological services (when needed). I've worked on anything from the smallest jobs to multi-hundred million dollar projects. I could name-drop projects but unfortunately that would probably make this less discrete than I would prefer. In the interest of keeping things confidential, I will refrain. We are a multi-disciplinary firm and I have regular experience and work in geotechnical engineering and field services, geology, hydrogeology, environmental assessment, remediation, health & safety management, etc. We also do deep production and drainage/injection wells (a hydrogeological services specialty - only 2-3 people in our group of 25-30 have this experience).
Off Limits
Unfortunately, in order to maintain anonymity and confidentiality, I cannot discuss any project or client specifics. Salaries, raises, bonuses, company hierarchy/structure, will be given general or "close to" answers. Anything tha
... keep reading on reddit ➡Hello, all. I apologize that this is very long, but do appreciate input any of you might have. I am a geologist with 8 years’ experience and a masters degree, currently working in geotechnical consulting near the Washington DC area. My career has been about half environmental and half geotechnical. My current company is a top 20 ENR engineering firm, and I recognize I have been lucky enough to be successful with them, but I feel like a fish out of water who is about to hit a career progression wall. I am one of the only geologists in my company, and we do not typically pursue projects which have geology scope, nor do we have geologists who could mentor me from a technical standpoint. I have little to contribute to the engineering field other than occasional simplistic groundwater models, rock face mapping/rock mass characterization, and rippability assessments.
Currently, I am in project management and business development pursuing/executing Design/Build megaprojects. My career has so far been going well - I have been the person-in-charge of field exploration activities that have generated millions in revenue, and I am a lead proposal writer for pursuits where our fees are in the millions. I also have a decent salary ($110k+). All of that sounds good on paper, but my lack of geotechnical engineering expertise is holding me back from progressing. Short of obtaining a geotech degree, my resume will never comply with personnel requirements to be a project manager on the type of contracts I pursue and help run, so I see myself idling in my current position. Basically, I develop a lot of pursuits cradle to grave, run much of the projects, but have to relegate myself to a task manager role on paper because I do not qualify as an engineer. The deeper I continue on this path, the farther I fall behind from a technical perspective, and I worry about selling myself to other firms in the future.
If I ever have to leave my current company my resume is an odd mismatch of a guy who kind of knows environmental, kind of knows geotechnical, and is never a PM on paper for projects greater than $100k in fees because I am not an engineer. Ultimately, I am concerned I may not be a lucrative hire because I am effectively “playing” engineer without a degree or PE license to qualify me for the role I am in. Should I need to move elsewhere, I see myself taking a large pay cut, or having to move back to environmental where my career age now exceeds my expertise. An alternative
... keep reading on reddit ➡
Hey All, I am hoping to transition from a career in environmental consulting into government work. I would love to get a job at the CA Waterboard as an entry-level engineering geologist, but I know nothing about the state “placement test”. Has anyone ever applied to a California state job and have any advice for how to best succeed on this exam? And what the exam is like?
Thanks, everyone!
Hi all,
Does anyone currently work as an Engineering Geologist in the mining industry, primarily on tailings?
I'm considering a move from the civil geotech side of consulting towards mine consulting and hoping to understand a bit more about the differences between the two and hear peoples positive or negative experiences working in tailings.
Cheers!
I’ve had geology classes in my undergrad and I was thinking if I can just study the required knowledge material so I can apply for the job. Would that be fine?
Looking over the senior management profiles for many geotechnical engineering firms, I don’t know if I have ever seen a geologist make it to principal or senior management levels. I have seen hydrogeologists (like me) make it to upper management but they tend to have engineering backgrounds. I am early in my career, so this is not really a concern.... more a curiosity, but does anyone have any anecdotes of Geoscientists making it to senior management in an engineering firm?
I was originally going to establish a rockhoundding club at my highschool, but I saw that I could leave a more permanent legacy in my community by starting a chapter in my county, however I wanted to know what else I can do with this new membership?
Hi. We didn't have these when I was in school, so I figured I'd do one, as it would have been pretty helpful in finding a career path. My college professors were wonderful, but they were focused on academics and knew almost nothing about the professional consulting field.
Educational Background - I have a Bachelor's degree in Geology, and have taken a few Project Management Courses in addition to the standard professional development stuff.
Experience - I'm a Sr. Engineering Geologist from California, with 13 years in the Geotechnical Engineering & Consulting Industry. Upon graduation, I started with a tiny company as a Staff Geologist, lugging a nuclear gauge around for compaction testing of earthwork construction projects. They trained me in all of the typical soil lab tests, and had me drilling proposed new construction sites, logging borings and managing the drilling subcontractors. I helped write portions of the Geotechnical and Geologic Hazard reports, too. Because of the small company size, I was able to learn all aspects of the work we did, and not just one or two things.
Licenses - After 5 years in the business, I obtained my Professional Geologist license through the State of California, and was subsequently promoted to Project Geologist. With this came more responsibility in taking a new project from start to finis: writing proposals, assigning lab tests, coordinating and performing field work, and writing reports with the help of the Geotechnical Engineer/Project manager.
Last year I obtained my California Certified Engineering Geologist license, which is a specialization that you can get in my state once you've had your PG long enough and have the appropriate experience. With this license, I was promoted to Senior Engineering Geologist, and am now managing projects and the staff that are working on my projects. I still work closely with Geotechnical Engineers when difficult engineering questions come up.
Quick Tip #1: Anyone who plans to advance in their career should spend at least a couple years in the field. Not just with drilling, either. My 7 years observing and testing Earthwork for construction projects has made me a valuable asset for my company, since a lot of the consulting staff don't spend much time actually seeing how these projects get built. Don't expect to get right into the high level positions, and on the best projects right away. It may seem like a right of passage. But more tha
... keep reading on reddit ➡Seeking some advice from UK based engineering geologists/geotechnical engineers on their career paths, how and how fast they progressed in their career, what tasks they were involved with etc.
I'm currently 6 months in to a graduate role for a small consultancy. I love the role and I'm involved with some really interesting projects.
I've recently started being given the opportunity to take the lead on projects. I'll go on to site, write draft reports, do some design work, and generally be involved from start to finish.
I am doing the majority of the work and I am given the trust to complete the project. Much of the liason with the client/contractor etc is done by other members of staff. I would like to be involved with this more, but feel as I am still missing the technical knowledge/experience to be able to answer queries, solve problems etc.
Maybe I'm being too demanding, or maybe I'm not taking the initiative enough? I don't know anyone close who's been through this career to have a chat about.
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Can anybody share their experiences from a similar early career role? What were your daily tasks, how involved in the company were always you and how did you progress etc?
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If you could tell your graduate self one piece of advice when starting out, what would it be?
Thank you.
I currently am an engineering geologist, I have my BS and GIT. I am planning on getting my PG in the next 2 years.
I am curious, has anyone on here in my circumstance gone for a MS while working? I am looking at some online MS geology/geosciences programs that I could do while still working full-time. If you have done this, was it worth it? How hard was it? Any recommendations on specific programs?
Thank you!
Hello!
So I graduated in 2019, with my B.S. in Geology (large public university), and after having a tough time looking for jobs I decided to get my M.S., but rather than pursue a geology M.S. I wanted to do something more applied as well as do an option that would possibly broaden my career options.
I started my M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering in Spring 2020 at a large public university, very well known for its engineering program. I will probably be finishing up Fall 2021 if everything goes as planned, and was actually surprised they didn't make me take that many prequisite courses (just intro to geotech engineering, intro to civil eng and a foudation wall design course that I'm currently taking).
After looking for internships for months and months, I finally just started as an intern at a well known fairly large geotechnical company doing geotechnical lab testing on soil samples. I also do gradaute research in transportation/construction engineering, (also did did undergrad research in geochemistry).
I just wanted to know if it is possible for me to take the E.I.T in California, I will have two years of engineering education with my M.S., and 0.5 years with my current intenrship but idk if that even counts. I'm not sure if chem, physics, and calc from undergrad will count towards my engineering education.
I also want to take the G.I.T but, the examination schedule pdf here: https://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/exa_app_info_for_gg.shtml says the testing is cancelled, so idk.
I just wanted to know if there are others in similar situations as me, or thinking of doing the same? I saw someone with a PG and PE post a while ago an that was very interesting. Also your thoghts, on if I would be fit to apply for staff geotech engineer positions when I graduate and also my chances of applying to staff geologist positions when I graduate (or if my M.S. in geotech would make it look like I'm not intersted in doing geology). Just having some anxiety about whether I chose the right path, or made a horrible mistake in switchingfrom geology to geotech. Thoughts?
Thank you!!!!
Here's a good description of the two provided by WA state DOL. I know that I was confused about what the differences were between these two titles. Hope this clears some things up!
"What is the difference between an engineering geologist and a geotechnical engineer?
An engineering geologist is an earth scientist who has specialized in the application of geologic principles to civil works. A geotechnical engineer is a civil engineer who has specialized in the design and construction aspects of earth materials. Both professions share many of the same knowledge, skills and abilities. Each field, however, has particular strengths. Engineering geologists typically have greater skills in characterization of geologic conditions and processes, and in evaluation of how processes will be affected or will affect a specific development activity. Geotechnical engineers will typically have greater skill in development of site-specific geotechnical design recommendations and criteria."
As the title says, UK based recent grad thinking this is my area of interest but confused by seemingly interchangeably used terms?
I've always been interested in Systems Engineering, and it seems somewhat similar to the work I'm doing not as an environmental geologist but with different disciplines. For example, I may work with contaminant distribution, hydrogeological models, and remediation specialists to help a client clean up an oil spill.
Are there opportunities for someone with my background to jump into systems engineering? Would this be a complete 180? Or would my current experience be useful in other industries? What industries?
Being going through a process for a job and today, the twats decide instead of being a perm role, they want it to be contract on day rate. They want me to suggest a day rate. I am a fairly senior level. Any ideas? I was angling for a £30k role, plus expenses and a company car
Does anyone know if an Environmental Earth Science bachelor’s degree meets the minimum qualifications for the EG exam? My degree included upper division coursework in geology. I asked HR and they were not helpful.
Many of us have a BS in Geology, Geoscience, etc, and look towards an MS in something other than straight geology. An option for many is an Engineering Geology MS or an MS with a concentration in engineering geology.
What does an MS in Engineering Geology, or an engineering geology degree, mean for the job market? What fields and what types of work are the norm?
Hi there!
A little background- I'll try to make it brief. I'm a licensed certified engineering geologist (CEG) in California with 15 years experience. I got a geology bachelors in the late 90s from a California State University and started out in environmental. A couple years later I went back to school at another CSU for a masters in geology but took a job at a geotech company before I was able to finish my thesis (I still wish I had finished as I spent 2 years on it however that ship has sailed). I worked in consulting for 10 years starting out at around $50k as an entry level staff geologist and eventually worked my way up to about $90k as a project/senior geologist. 5 years ago I took a job at a government agency and now make about $115k.
Basically as an engineering geologist I provide geologic characterization for construction projects. Sometimes that's mapping landslides before a development. Sometimes that's doing a fault investigation if a proposed building is located close to an active fault. Sometimes it's using geophysics to determine shear wave velocity of a site for seismic ground motions or bulldozer ripability. etc.
One of the things that helped in my career was networking. I would go to a lot of meetings (AEG/GSA/GRA) and got to know other professional geologists. I'm an introvert so I really had to make myself do that early on. I also volunteered to help with the local club chapters as they were always looking for people to assist with meetings, field trips or workshops. Every job I've had has been through networking. I really does work.
Another thing that helped was that I would always volunteer for the big field projects (that were often arduous and boring if not downright crappy). 2 month drilling job Pahrump? I'll do it! 2 month construction monitoring project in Fresno? (in the blistering summer) Sign me up! 3 month landslide project on the Oregon Coast? (in the middle of winter) I'm your guy! It kept me billable (and therefore valuable to the consulting companies that employed me) and I learned a lot.
Whoa, I'm going long here. Final thought- being a geologist is pretty awesome. Anyways, ask away! I'll answer the questions in the evening.
So for the purpose of higher salary and job opportunity I am highly considering going back to school to get a master's degree in civil engineering. However, I'm looking for insight on if me, who graduated with a Geology BS, can take the EIT and PE exams/accreditation with an engineering masters degree. It seems like masters programs aren't ABET accredited which is a prereq for the exams. I'm currently on track to become a PG.
Any insight at all helps!
Hello everyone, question for the engineering geologists in the United states!!! What classes did you find most relevant to what you are doing now? What classes did you find the least relevant?
Hi,
I recently took a role as an entry level engineering geologist. My position consists of a lot time in the field logging boreholes, observing excavations for retaining walls, investigating different geologic reasons why it may be unsafe to build in a certain area.
I have a few questions regarding my career
- What salary should I expect 3 years from now? 10 years from now? (I live in the Bay Area of California)
- Can I transition into other fields within geology?
- How stable is this career field?
- Do you have any advice for someone early in their geology career?
hi, i work at an engineering geology firm, and i often do data entry as the low man on the totem pole so i see the lab data. one of the other things the engineers in the company will have me do is "adjust" the values so they make more sense. things like changing dry densities or moisture contents, adjusting shear strengths (both friction angle and cohesion), changing consolidation deflection, and other things like this.
Sometimes it makes sense, like if the shear machine gives absolutely ridiculous values, and the engineers that do the adjustments are experienced and competent. Also as far as i know they err on the side of caution. However it still seems unethical as fuck and makes me very uncomfortable. I really don't like straight up falsifying data just to get reviewing bodies to approve the report.
My question is this: do any of you also have to do this? how standard is adjusting lab data, I dont want to leave this company only to deal with the same thing at another one? Am I being paranoid? Any advice?
I applied for UC Davis for a BS in geology. I also want to get a masters at Colorado School of Mines. Do you think I made the right choice? Thank you so much for answering my question.
Were you required to take a pre-employment drug test for marijuana?
I have an upcoming interview with DWR for the engineering geo position and I was wondering if the written exercise was basicially a test of quantity or quality? Does each one vary? lol Are there Stereo nets?
If you took it, what was was your experience? Im very excited for the interview and just trying to prep as much as possible.
Currently working in this field, and like many others in this thread have said; the pay sucks, it's not particularly technically challenging and don't see myself doing it years down the line.
Just curious what those of you who were in this position have ended up doing, although with O&G and Mining completely obliterated atm I don't expect too much of a thrilling response...
I am a freshman in school but I chose this degree because potential for natural disasters is going up, especially on the coast. I am wondering if there is anyway to work with these (and other) flooding issues via geologic work to make the drainage and capture systems smarter.
I know this is a long shot and vague idea, but I am also admittedly sort of disaster preparedness kind of person and I want to know if there is any general way to align with these changes in the way we deal with flooding in places OTHER than Houston (houston is a swamp anyway). Im really thinking about even in the great plains which are seeing more flash floods and stronger winds.
I really am just grasping at straws but I think, long term, whats under our feet will be valuable when we have hell raining from above. Just wondering if this sub has clue what I am talking about. Thanks to all and any.
So I'm working for a small consultancy doing both environmental and geotechnical work. Mostly this includes Phase 2 ground investigation reports for residential clients.
I'm starting to enjoy the engineering/geotechnical side more but currently my work consists of foundation recommendations and that's about it.
I was wondering for you guys working at larger companies, do you get to work on slope stability, tunneling etc or is that work more likely carried out by geotechnical engineers than the engineering geologists?
How difficult is it for a geotech geologist with under 2 years experience and an MSc in geology to get a job as a mineral exploration geologist?
