Geologists

Geologists are responsible for the location of minerals, such as coal; the permitting of coal mines and gravel mines; the mapping of surface geology and the construction of subsurface geological cross sections, showing the distribution of formations, mineral resources, and aquifers; gathering geophysical data by logging water wells and test holes; managing geospatial data; the permitting of hazardous waste disposal wells; the issuance of permits for water wells and water withdrawals from rivers and lakes; and assisting industries, cities, and farmers in locating adequate water supplies.  Geologists play a critical role in major economic development projects and are vital in helping with Mississippi’s ability to recruit industrial prospects and assisting in monitoring agriculture and aquaculture in the Delta.

Duties:

• Performs a wide variety of geological research of specific and general sites statewide.
• Assists, advises, investigates, evaluates, interprets, inventories, and catalogues in the following geologic-geotechnical-geohydrologic-geochemical work.
• Collects information to create reports, maps (of all types), X-sections and profiles, analyses, surface and subsurface waters, well/borehole data/geophysical and other logs, mineral deposits (including oil and gas, lignite, sand, gravel, and clay), petrographic interpretations, lithologic/earth and earth material descriptions, computes technical data of all types; also may be involved in the determination and evaluation of the extent of contaminated earth and earth materials in environmental assessment/contaminated areas.
• Collects and develops information on but not limited to engineering and geotechnical capabilities/properties of various geologic formations, earth, and earth materials.
• Determines areas suitable for solid waste sites, and performs studies related to the disposal, remediation, or containment of toxic and hazardous wastes (surface and subsurface).
• Analyzes impact on aquifer, shoreline and coastal zones, wetlands, and other geological systems by human activities.
• Under the supervision of a registered professional geologist, reviews lithologic, stratigraphic, hydrogeologic, and environmental interpretations as submitted by applicants in support of permit requests for reclamation, municipal/public water well permits and field design, injection wells, waste disposal, dredge and fill, land use plans, oil and gas wells, and geologic processes in coastal areas including shoreline erosion improvements. Performs compliance inspections of hazardous and non-hazardous facilities and mine sites under the supervision of a supervising Geologist.
• Performs related or similar duties as required or assigned.

To review qualifications for MDEQ’s entry level geologist positions, click here.

To review current vacancies, please visit here.