What are the responsibilities and job description for the Geologist 2/Geophysicist position at DOWL?
Why DOWL?
DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.
Geosciences
At DOWL, our Geosciences team is at the core of safe, efficient, and successful infrastructure development. Whether it’s a building, bridge, utility, roadway, or dam, every project starts with a deep understanding of what lies beneath. Our geoscience professionals apply advanced knowledge in soil and rock mechanics, geophysical surveys, and soils engineering to solve real-world challenges and deliver practical, data-driven solutions. From initial planning and permitting to hands-on fieldwork, analysis, and construction support, we evaluate subsurface conditions to guide every stage of development. If you're passionate about applying geoscience to build smarter, safer infrastructure, we invite you to bring your expertise to our collaborative and forward-thinking team.
Summary
The Geologist II / Geophysicist provides field and analytical support for geotechnical, geological and geophysical investigations. This role includes participation in electrical resistivity, seismic (MASW), and ground penetrating radar (GPR) data collection and interpretation, with responsibilities scaled to experience level and supported by senior staff.
Duties include assisting with defining appropriate geophysical methods, planning and conducting field surveys, collecting and processing data, and contributing to technical reporting. This position requires a strong work ethic, organizational skills, and an interest in developing geophysical expertise. Due to the field-oriented nature of the work, employees must be able to travel away from their home location for extended periods to work on-site at projects.
The Geologist II / Geophysicist is expected to demonstrate a foundational understanding of geophysical investigation methods and a willingness to learn new techniques through training, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
Job Responsibilities And Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Geophysical & Geological Responsibilities
Team player who follows the direction of others, asks good questions, retains information provided, and shares information with those less experienced
Project Delivery
Produces The Following Under Limited Direction/oversight From Others
Moderate understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict with guidance the level of effort for individual tasks and successfully deliver tasks within that level of effort. Monitor results on moderately complex projects.
Industry Standards and Regulations
Understands and has basic familiarity with the following design codes:
Limited direct interaction, commonly in group settings. Responds to emails, attends meetings, and answers questions/comments with limited autonomy.
Other
Other duties as assigned.
Level of Work/Accountability
Performs moderately complex technical work on projects for the assigned market sector. Operates with limited autonomy as work is supervised and reviewed by more senior staff. May assist with some project management tasks.
Supervisory Duties
None
Education And/or Experience
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to dig with shovel or digging bars; ability to walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice; and routinely lift and carry between 30 and 50 pounds. May need to work at remote sites.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.
In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud due to the proximity to construction sites and related equipment.
In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.
Geosciences
At DOWL, our Geosciences team is at the core of safe, efficient, and successful infrastructure development. Whether it’s a building, bridge, utility, roadway, or dam, every project starts with a deep understanding of what lies beneath. Our geoscience professionals apply advanced knowledge in soil and rock mechanics, geophysical surveys, and soils engineering to solve real-world challenges and deliver practical, data-driven solutions. From initial planning and permitting to hands-on fieldwork, analysis, and construction support, we evaluate subsurface conditions to guide every stage of development. If you're passionate about applying geoscience to build smarter, safer infrastructure, we invite you to bring your expertise to our collaborative and forward-thinking team.
Summary
The Geologist II / Geophysicist provides field and analytical support for geotechnical, geological and geophysical investigations. This role includes participation in electrical resistivity, seismic (MASW), and ground penetrating radar (GPR) data collection and interpretation, with responsibilities scaled to experience level and supported by senior staff.
Duties include assisting with defining appropriate geophysical methods, planning and conducting field surveys, collecting and processing data, and contributing to technical reporting. This position requires a strong work ethic, organizational skills, and an interest in developing geophysical expertise. Due to the field-oriented nature of the work, employees must be able to travel away from their home location for extended periods to work on-site at projects.
The Geologist II / Geophysicist is expected to demonstrate a foundational understanding of geophysical investigation methods and a willingness to learn new techniques through training, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
Job Responsibilities And Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Geophysical & Geological Responsibilities
- Assist with planning and execution of geophysical surveys, including electrical resistivity, seismic (MASW), and ground penetrating radar (GPR) investigations
- Support geotechnical field data acquisition using established procedures, with supervision and training provided as needed
- Participate in field setup, equipment operation, and breakdown for geophysical surveys
- Assist with data processing, modeling, and interpretation under the direction of senior staff
- Contribute figures, summaries, and technical content to reports and deliverables
- Perform geological observations, logging, and data collection as required
- Maintain geophysical equipment and ensure proper handling and storage
- Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Developing
- Market Sector Software (gINT/Geosystems) - Developing
- Solid understanding of technical fundamentals
- Demonstrates foundation understanding of geophysical and geological principles
- Performs basic technical tasks with market sector with limited oversight
- Performs quality control of basic deliverables
- Eager to learn and expand skill set.
Team player who follows the direction of others, asks good questions, retains information provided, and shares information with those less experienced
Project Delivery
Produces The Following Under Limited Direction/oversight From Others
- Proposals/cost estimates (basic)
- Technical reports and memos
- Exploration plans
- Laboratory requests
- Design details
- Calculations (basic)
Moderate understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict with guidance the level of effort for individual tasks and successfully deliver tasks within that level of effort. Monitor results on moderately complex projects.
Industry Standards and Regulations
Understands and has basic familiarity with the following design codes:
- ASCE 7
- AASHTO
- IBC
- Local Codes
Limited direct interaction, commonly in group settings. Responds to emails, attends meetings, and answers questions/comments with limited autonomy.
Other
Other duties as assigned.
Level of Work/Accountability
Performs moderately complex technical work on projects for the assigned market sector. Operates with limited autonomy as work is supervised and reviewed by more senior staff. May assist with some project management tasks.
Supervisory Duties
None
Education And/or Experience
- Bachelor's Degree required
- Years of experience required: 2 years
- Years of experience required with advanced degree: 1 year
- GIT (as applicable)
- Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver’s license is required to support legitimate business purposes
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to dig with shovel or digging bars; ability to walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice; and routinely lift and carry between 30 and 50 pounds. May need to work at remote sites.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.
In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud due to the proximity to construction sites and related equipment.
In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.