What are the responsibilities and job description for the Geologist 5 - Geologic Hazards Section Chief position at State of Alaska?
This position is being recruited in Anchorage and Fairbanks; the final location will be based on the selected candidate's location.
What You Will Be Doing
Are you an experienced geologist & manager who is passionate about protecting the health and safety of Alaskans? We may have the perfect job for you! The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) is seeking a Section Chief for our Geologic Hazards Section, which currently covers five dynamic programs: coastal, climate & cryosphere, earthquakes & tsunamis, landslides, and geological health (environmental) hazards. This position provides administrative, supervisory, and technical leadership for the section, as well as scientific and operational leadership and oversight through the knowledge of geological processes, focusing on where hazardous events are most likely to occur, assessing their potential impacts on human populations and infrastructure, and determining mitigation strategies.
Mission and Culture
DGGS’ mission is to determine the potential of Alaskan land for the production of metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources, the locations and supplies of groundwater and construction material, and the potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations and structures (AS 41.08.020). In close partnership with program collaborators and stakeholders, the Geologic Hazards Section uses a combination of citizen science, field data, remote sensing, and modeling to assess, monitor, predict, and mitigate the impacts of geologic hazards on communities, infrastructure, and resources in Alaska through education & outreach to the public and timely, actionable guidance to local, state, and federal policymakers.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
DGGS offers ample opportunity for on-the-job training, a flexible work schedule, possible telework, and partnership with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about their work and the division's mission. DGGS prioritizes a respectful and inclusive workplace. The incumbent in this position is critical to the functioning of the geological survey, as they provide essential support to the section’s program manager/scientists in fulfilling their areas of DGGS’ mission. In turn, the section’s program managers manage multiple projects in their focus areas and are working leads with delegated supervisory duties. The position currently has five direct reports and is the indirect supervisor of 15 additional positions.
The Working Environment You Can Expect
This permanent Geologist 5 position may be stationed either in the main DGGS Fairbanks office or in Anchorage at the Geologic Materials Center. The successful candidate will:
- Under the guidance of the State Geologist, develop long-term and short-term conceptual plans, goals, objectives, budgets, timelines, and milestones for the section.
- Ensure/manage section staff, fiscal, and technical resources.
- Develop and oversee all section programs, including schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
- Provide advanced professional competency and leadership in directing and/or performing as a team member in office and field studies to meet section objectives.
- Respond to section needs and requests from division management, other divisions or agencies, educational institutions, and stakeholders.
- Support program staff and field activities in the event of a geologic disaster and serve as the main point of contact with the State Emergency Operations Center during event response.
We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position-specific competencies:
- Program Oversight: Plans, coordinates, and monitors programs to ensure that federal, state, and/or local government program requirements and plans are met, providing professional consultation on the specialized services of the program or associated project(s).
- Administration and Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production.
- Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
- Geospatial Science – Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods related to the collection, storage, analysis, visualization, and distribution of geographic-based data and maps.
- Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Geology and Geophysical Surveys.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering.
AND
Four years of advanced professional experience in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering. This experience is met by service as a Geologist 3 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
OR
Two years of professional project managerial experience in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering. This experience is met by service as a Geologist 4 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
OR
A master's degree from an accredited college in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering.
AND
Two years of advanced professional experience in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering. This experience is met by service as a Geologist 3 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
OR
A doctorate degree from an accredited college in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering.
AND
One year of advanced professional experience in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering. This experience is met by service as a Geologist 3 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
Equivalent combinations of professional experience and graduate level education in the geoscience fields described above are acceptable and will be considered as follows: 24 graduate semester hours=one full year of graduate education=one full year of professional experience.
Starting Salary
Anchorage - $3666.40
Fairbanks - $3776.00
Additional Required Information
**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**
At the time of application, the applicant must attach as individual documents the following items (If unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below):
- Cover letter – see instructions below.
- Transcripts (proof of education requirement).
- Resume.
If selected for an interview, the applicant must provide the following:
- Three (3) professional references
- Valid driver's license
- Pre-employment certification form -
- Applicant Qualification Inquiry - Firearm Possession form -
SPECIAL NOTICES
- Ability to hike over rough terrain with a heavy backpack when conducting field duties and tasks. Traveling by helicopter, small fixed-wing aircraft, and boat. While out in the field, you may be subject to working and living in austere facilities.
- This position may require travel within the state (normally 1-3 trips of 10 days or less per year).
- Possession of, or access to, firearms or ammunition is required for this position.
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or a hardcopy application. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska “How to Apply" page. Your application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required for this position. It should be two to three paragraphs (no longer than one page) and address your knowledge and experience related to the desired position-specific competencies listed above. Your cover letter will serve as a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment.
Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online; if you cannot attach it, email it to the contact number below.
Education
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill out the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
Work Experience
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, job title, employment dates, and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.
Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application entirely. Noting, "see resume" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
Bargaining Unit
If you are a current state employee, please mark the union you are a member of at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee.
Multiple Locations
This position is being recruited in Anchorage or Fairbanks; the final location is dependent upon the location of the most qualified candidate. There is only ONE position to be filled.
Driver’s License Requirement
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.
Firearms
This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.
A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.
If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position.
EEO Statement
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or 465-4095 in Juneau or (907) 465-3412 (TTY) or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at P. O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
Contact Information
Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.
For assistance with your password, please visit the reset password page.
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
Jennifer Athey
Division Operations Manager
Phone: 907-451-5028
Email: jennifer.athey@alaska.gov
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)
Insurance Benefits
- Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- AVTEC
- Confidential
- Correctional Officers
- Marine Engineers
- Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
- Supervisory
- Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
- Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
- General Government
- Labor, Trades and Crafts
- Public Safety Employees Association
- Masters, Mates & Pilots
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance Benefits
- Group-based insurance premiums for
- Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
- Long-term and short-term disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
- Supplemental Survivor Benefits
- Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Retirement Benefits
- Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
- Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
- Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
- Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
- Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
- Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits- Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
- Twelve (12) paid holidays a year
