Geologist I

LMA•Baltimore City, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

There are two vacancies for this position within the Oil Control Program-Compliance Division. One position will work primarily in Prince George’s County. The other position will work primarily in Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties. The Geologist I is an entry-level position responsible for learning to review and evaluate conditions of known or suspected oil contamination at underground and aboveground storage tank (UST/AST) facilities to help determine the extent of environmental impact and remediation needs. The incumbent in this position will assist with reviewing site assessments, interpreting environmental data, and learning to evaluate groundwater and soil conditions to support remediation activities and regulatory compliance. The incumbent will apply State laws and regulations while gaining experience ensuring compliance at petroleum and hazardous substance UST/AST sites and transportation facilities. The Geologist I will learn to provide technical assistance related to storage system investigations and oil pollution concerns, evaluate potential impacts to public health, safety, and drinking water supplies, and assist with inspections and audits of facilities to identify responsible parties and assess compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, permits, and policies associated with the Oil Control Program. This position involves the following working conditions: Exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings Conditions may include inclement weather, extreme heat or cold, exposure to vegetation such as briars, poison ivy, and ragweed, biological hazards, and other site-specific hazards. Some sites may also be located in high-crime areas, which may present additional risk. Exposure to hazardous conditions that may result in injury. The employee may be required to visit and inspect or investigate areas containing chemical and physical hazards at a variety of contaminated or potentially contaminated sites. Work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, etc. The employee may be required to lift heavy manhole covers, sampling equipment and supplies, climb ladders, and wear respiratory protection while performing work activities. The employee may also be required to drive for long periods to visit and investigate sites located across the entire State of Maryland. Required use of protective equipment—such as goggles, gloves, and masks—during site visits. The incumbent will be required to drive a State vehicle. If you hold an out-of-state driver’s license, you must provide a certified copy of your driving record from the issuing state’s Motor Vehicle Administration at the time of hire. All individuals must maintain a driver's license with no more than 5 points on their driving record to operate a State vehicle.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Geology, Environmental Geology or a related earth science.
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in physical science classification or physical science specialty codes in the geology field of work on a year-for- year basis for the required education.
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
When assigned to an environmental program at the Maryland Department of the Environment, employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete and maintain certification as specified in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulations (Standards-29 CFR) 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.
Employees in this classification may be required to walk over rough or unstable terrain or over long distances while wearing personal protection equipment such as respiratory protection equipment.
Employees in this classification may be subject to ongoing medical testing in accordance with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.
Employees in this classification may be subject to call-in on a twenty-four hour basis and, therefore, will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

Nice To Haves

Involvement in an environmental internship, an environmental stewardship program, community meetings, community improvement projects, or volunteer work in any environmental field.
Knowledge and/or training in aboveground and/or underground storage systems, oil spill containment, and or sampling of soil or groundwater.
Knowledge and/or experience preparing environmental technical reports.
Knowledge and/or experience in conducting field inspections or surveys in any environmental discipline.
Hazardous Waste Site Worker OSHA 40 hour certification.

Responsibilities

review and evaluate conditions of known or suspected oil contamination at underground and aboveground storage tank (UST/AST) facilities to help determine the extent of environmental impact and remediation needs
assist with reviewing site assessments
interpreting environmental data
learning to evaluate groundwater and soil conditions to support remediation activities and regulatory compliance
apply State laws and regulations while gaining experience ensuring compliance at petroleum and hazardous substance UST/AST sites and transportation facilities
learn to provide technical assistance related to storage system investigations and oil pollution concerns
evaluate potential impacts to public health, safety, and drinking water supplies
assist with inspections and audits of facilities to identify responsible parties and assess compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, permits, and policies associated with the Oil Control Program