What are the responsibilities and job description for the Geologist 2 - Volcanology position at State of Alaska?
The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, is recruiting for a Geologist 2 – Volcanology Program in Fairbanks.
This position is open to Alaska Residents only.
Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.
What You Will Be Doing:
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) conducts monitoring and scientific investigations of Alaska’s 80 geologically active volcanoes. AVO responds to 2 volcanic eruptions each year on average, requiring our team of dedicated staff to work closely to ensure all aspects of the Observatory run smoothly. As a partner agency of AVO, the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) is seeking a full-time, permanent Geologist 2 to join the geology staff in Fairbanks. Core responsibilities include:
- Maintain and expand the Geologic Database of Information on Volcanoes in Alaska (GeoDIVA) by compiling eruption histories, references, geochemical data, images, sample ages, and field-collected information.
- Contribute to additional AVO tasks such as monitoring support, crisis response assistance, public outreach, and social media content.
- Participate in limited fieldwork, including occasional geology/geophysics missions and volcano observation flights
Mission and Values/Culture:
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) exists to protect lives and property by monitoring Alaska's active volcanoes, providing hazard assessments, and conducting scientific investigations. We value team members with clear communication skills, a strong sense of scientific integrity, and a commitment to service who are willing to work together to provide timely and accurate information to the public and decision-makers during volcanic unrest and to support scientific investigations of Alaska’s volcanoes. The Volcanology Program resides within the Geologic Hazards section at DGGS alongside Landslide, Coastal, Climate and Cryosphere, Geological Health, and Earthquake & Tsunami Hazard Programs and is also part of the multi-agency Alaska Volcano Observatory.
Benefits of Joining Our Team:
DGGS offers ample opportunity for a flexible work schedule and partnership with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about their work and the mission of the Alaska Volcano Observatory. Staff are encouraged to learn and grow through work activities, from each other's experiences, and via structured training in technical/science topics (e.g., ArcPro, geospatial processing techniques). The incumbent will bring their expertise to work with a highly skilled and dedicated team of volcanologists, geophysicists, programmers, and technicians to improve AVO’s ability to provide advance warning of volcanic activity and to better understand volcanic processes. On-the-job training for specific technical aspects of AVO’s research methods, database development, and monitoring operations will be provided.
The Working Environment You Can Expect:
This volcanology Geologist 2 position is located at the DGGS office in Fairbanks, with potential hybrid telework in-state only. The daily work environment consists of database-focused desk work, with limited opportunities for field work to study Alaska volcanoes. DGGS staff effectively use telecommunications resources to work across geographic boundaries with DGGS and USGS colleagues and a diverse range of collaborators and stakeholders across the state. The Geologic Hazards section is a dynamic and positive learning environment that not only supports teamwork and collaboration but also enables autonomous work.
We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.
- Geology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the origins and structure of the earth, including the physical forces that have shaped it and its physical and organic history.
- Database Management Systems: Knowledge of the uses of database management systems and software to control the organization, storage, retrieval, security, and integrity of data.
- 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.
- 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.
- Public Service Motivation: Shows a commitment to serve the public. Ensures that actions meet public needs; aligns organizational objectives and practices with public interests.
Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Geological 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
One year of entry professional level 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 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
Substitution:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in any science major, which includes the completion of 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in the above geoscience fields and 24 additional semester hours (36 quarter hours) of coursework in natural sciences, may substitute for the education requirement.
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.
Additional Required Information
** Please read the information below carefully. **
At the time of application, the applicant must attach the following items as individual documents; failure to provide the requested documentation may result in non-consideration. If you are unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below. Required documents include:
- Cover letter – see instructions below.
At the time of the interview, please ensure that you provide the following materials. Failure to do so may result in loss of consideration. Required documents include:
- Transcripts.
- Copies of any published peer-reviewed papers.
- Three professional references.
- Firearms certification form – will be provided by the hiring manager.
SPECIAL NOTICES
- This position will require travel within the state (typically 2-4 trips of 10 days or less per year). Travel may include short-notice emergency response to assist with eruptions.
- If conducting fieldwork, requires occasional lifting and carrying a pack up to 50 lbs.
- If conducting fieldwork, this position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition in support of remote field investigations and associated travel.
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or by submitting a paper application. Instructions for applying are available on the Workplace Alaska How to Apply webpage. Your application must be received by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required for this position. The letter should be two to three paragraphs (no longer than one page) and address your knowledge and experience with the following bulleted items.
In addition to the standard Minimum Job Qualifications for a Geologist 2, the following knowledge and skills are REQUIRED for this position. All of these skills must be documented in your cover letter and applicant profile. If you don't have experience with one or more of the abilities listed, please say so in your required cover letter.
- Specific volcanology knowledge and experience.
- Knowledge of relational database management systems, including SQL and data validation techniques.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with volcanological hazards, vocabulary, and field data collection.
- Excel spreadsheet fluency, especially spreadsheets of volcanic samples and geochemical analyses, including volcanic sample metadata, and conducting quality control of large datasets
- Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in hazard communications
Supplemental Questions
For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. The State of Alaska (SOA) uses four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant’s competence in applying specific behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish a specific task. The four proficiency levels are Mastery, Fluency, Literacy, and Discovery. You must rate your proficiency level for each competency listed in the supplemental questions.
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 yet obtained a degree, please indicate the units you have 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 at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If using this education to meet minimum qualification requirements, you must demonstrate that the credentials have been submitted to a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in standard U.S. education programs. Alternatively, an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution must report that the other institution's transcript is given full value or that full value is recognized in relevant subject areas aligned with the post-secondary institution's curricula. It is your responsibility to provide this 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 whether the minimum qualifications are met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.
Note: Attaching a resume does not substitute for completing the application in full. 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 indicate the union to which you belong at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee.
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.
Please ensure your application (through work history, training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports/demonstrates that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.
EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aids or services, or alternative communication formats should call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 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
If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure that your email address is correct on your application and that your spam filter will permit emails from the governmentjobs.com domain.
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 password reset page.
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
Scott Crass
Volcanology Program Manager
FAX: 907-451-5050
Phone: 451-5033
Email: scott.crass@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