GEOLOGIST I

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is seeking to hire a Geologist I position within the Land and Materials Administration/Oil Control Program.

This is a position specific recruitment for MDE. This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies for this position/function only. The resulting cert list will be maintained for one year. Persons interested in future vacancies within the classification must re-apply.

This position is primarily a field position that will be required to work in the Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties. The position will be required to report to the Baltimore headquarters office one day a week.

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Maryland Department of the Environment

Land & Materials Administration

Oil Control Program

1800 Washington Blvd.

Baltimore, MD 21230

The main purpose of this position is to review and evaluate conditions of known or suspected oil contamination at underground and aboveground storage tank (UST/AST) facilities in order to investigate and determine the extent of remediation needed, and oversee remediation activities. In this position, the results of site assessments must be interpreted and the extent of any required groundwater and soil remediation must be determined. This position applies State Law and regulations to ensure regulatory performance at petroleum and hazardous substance UST/AST sites and transpiration facilities, and provides technical assistance and oversight on storage system investigation findings and oil pollution problems. This position will also determine the potential public health and safety impacts of oil contamination in the environment and in drinking water supplies. The incumbent of this position investigates and audits UST/AST facilities to identify responsible parties for petroleum contamination and conducts audits and statistical analysis to determine if facilities comply with State Law and regulations. The incumbent ensures the enforcement of applicable statutes, regulations, permits, and policies pertinent to the Oil Control Program. The incumbent is responsible for performing job functions within the State of Maryland, primarily in the Western Region of the Compliance Division. Emergencies, vacancies, and case load may require performance of job duties in other areas of the State. 

The incumbent of this position will be required to drive a state vehicle and must maintain a driver's license with less than 5 points.

Working conditions of the position are as follows:

• Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings.  Site visits and the collection of environmental samples entail a variety of exposure to field conditions that can be uncomfortable and unpleasant.  These conditions include inclement weather, extreme heat or cold, briars, plant toxins (poison, ivy), plant pollens (ragweed, etc.) etiological and biological agents (mold fungus, bird and rodent feces, biting ticks, wild animals), and other site specific.  Some sites may be in high crimes areas and present an added risk and stress to the employee.
• Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions which may result in injury.  The employee may be required to visit and inspect areas containing chemical and physical hazards at a variety of contaminated or potentially contaminated sites (e.g. service stations, oil refineries, industrial/manufacturing operations, uneven terrain, old landfills, former spill areas, dilapidated buildings, debris-strewn sites).  Field work may involve exposure to standard hazards associated with industrial/manufacturing and construction sites (e.g. slip, trip and falls, falling objects), and work around heavy equipment such as noise and vibration (e.g. drill rigs, geoprobe, backhoes, tractors, motor engines).
• 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.
• Work requires use of protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, mask, etc.  During site inspections and field sampling, the employee is required to wear personal protective equipment, (including gloves, hearing protection, and coverall, uniforms or Tyvek suits) that is appropriate to field conditions.  This equipment routinely includes hardhats and steel toe/shank shoes, and it may be upgraded to include respirators and chemical protective gear according to site-specific conditions.

 

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Geology, Environmental Geology or a related earth science.

Experience: None.

Note: 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. 

It is preferred that the selected candidate has the following:

• Training or experience sampling soil or groundwater;
• Training or experience conducting environmental field inspections or surveys;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite;
• Knowledge or experience related to above ground and/or underground storage tank systems;
• Training or experience related to oil spill containment;
• Successful completion of OSHA 40 hour Hazardous Waste Site Worker training;
• Hold a valid Maryland underground storage tank system inspector, technician, or remover certification;
• Hold a valid precision tester certification;
• Training or experience in studying, evaluating, tracking, and preparing technical reports regarding environmental activities and data;
• Training or experience with petroleum contamination assessments and remediation;
• Knowledge of Maryland regulations regarding oil pollution and tank management.

The position is primarily a field position that will be required to work in Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick Counties. The position will be required to report to the Baltimore office one day a week.

1. 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.

2. 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. Information about these regulations is available in the Human Resources Office of the Maryland Department of the Environment or may be obtained at the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration Website.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Medical Monitoring Program (MMP) is designed to detect health risks or adverse effects of occupational exposure to hazardous materials and to direct targeted treatment and occupational illness/injury prevention strategies.  MDE employees who may be exposed to hazardous materials are required to participate in a pre-placement, regular and/or post-termination medical examination.  MDE has determined that this position be part of the MMP; therefore, applicants selected for employment must successfully complete and pass the medical monitoring examination as a condition of employment.​

The employee must obtain the credentials to investigate UST removals/installations/repairs and investigate storage system operational compliance by taking the Department UST Technician (installer and remover) and Inspector certification test and receive a passing score.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum /selective/preferred qualifications for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.  Applicants that meet the qualifications will be referred to the hiring unit for consideration of an interview/selection.  Only those candidates that demonstrate, in their applications, the required qualifications will be deemed qualified and referred.  

Your application is part of the examination process.  The assessment will be a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of this position.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate educational and employment information on your application. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified and placed on the cert list for at least one year. This list will be used by the hiring agency to select employees. 

Education credentials and experience verification will be completed by the Appointing Authority.  If you are scheduled to complete an education or licensing requirement within six months of the examination, you may participate in the examination process, if one is required.  Please note that you will be required by the appointing agency to provide proof upon hire of all certifications, licenses, educational and work experiences.

The MD Department of the Environment does not sponsor individuals in the application of the H-1B Visa.  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration and Reform Control Act.  You must be legally authorized and possess any necessary documents under this Act in order to be hired in the position for which you apply.  For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

 

It is STRONGLY preferred that you apply online; however, if you are unable to apply online, or encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit via mail or deliver in person. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and reference number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.

Completed applications, required documentation, and any required addendums may be mailed to:

Abigail Lord

Recruitment and Examination Division 

Office of Human Resources

1800 Washington Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21230 MDE

Reference Number: 19-001028-0005

410-537-4314/ email: Abigail.lord@maryland.gov/ Fax: 410-537-3966

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

PLEASE NOTE: The Maryland Department of the Environment participates in the E-Verify Program.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.