Back
Apr 30, 2026

Geologist 1 - Surficial Geologist

Job Description

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geographic and Geophysical Surveys, is recruiting for a Geologist 1 in Fairbanks or Anchorage.

What You Will Be Doing:
This project-based position is a long-term non-permanent position funded through Dec 31, 2026, with potential for extension pending approval and sufficient funding. The position will support the Arctic Strategic Transportation and Resources Project (ASTAR) work through the following tasks:
  • Perform QA/QC on a database containing drill card and sediment geotechnical characteristic information from field samples collected in the National Petroleum Reserve- Alaska.
  • Photograph additional drill cards and sediment samples collected from the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, and enter information into a database.
  • Use GIS to help staff organize and evaluate construction material resource data in preparation for construction material resource maps and reports.
  • Use GIS and PowerPoint to prepare maps and figures for the ASTAR reports and presentations.

Mission and Values/Culture:
The Hydrology and Surficial Geology Section increases public safety and strengthens communities and infrastructure by providing information on the distribution and character of surface materials and properties, as well as the distribution of groundwater resources across all 400 million acres of Alaska. This information is vital for land-use planning and essential to the well-being of Alaskans.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:
Working for the DGGS Arctic Strategic Transportation and Resources Project Team includes a number of benefits, including:
  • The opportunity to collaborate with top technical and scientific practitioners in a team environment.
  • The opportunity to learn how science is used to help support public planning and decision-making.
  • The opportunity to work with scientists and leaders from a variety of backgrounds, including state, federal, and local agencies, native organizations, contractors, and individuals in the private sector.
  • The opportunity for on-the-job training, including enhancing GIS and other skills that support job-related tasks.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:
This long-term non-permanent position is at the DGGS main office in Fairbanks, Alaska, or at the Geologic Materials Center in Anchorage, Alaska, with the potential for occasional travel between Fairbanks and Anchorage to transport sediment samples and occasional fieldwork in remote Alaska to support ASTAR-related activities. The daily work environment is generally desk-based, with some standing and walking to move boxes (up to 50lbs) and to examine and photograph sediment samples, which can produce dust. DGGS staff effectively use telecommunications resources to work across the state; the Hydrology and Surficial Geology section is open and collegial, allowing collaboration and coordination among the entire DGGS staff.

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.
  • Geospatial Science: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods related to the collection, storage, analysis, visualization, and distribution of geographic based data and maps.
  • Data Management: Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and tools of data management, such as modeling techniques, data backup, data recovery, data dictionaries, data warehousing, data mining, data archiving, data disposal, and data standardization processes.
  • 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.
  • Partnering: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

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.

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.


Starting Salaries

Anchorage – $2568.75 biweekly
Fairbanks – $2646.00 biweekly

Additional Required Information

** Please read the information below carefully. **

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 (unofficial is acceptable).
  • Three professional references.
  • Valid driver's license.
  • Firearms certification form - will be provided by the hiring manager.

SPECIAL NOTICES
  • May require travel within the state for sample transport, fieldwork, meetings, presentations, or other project-related work. (typically 2- 4 trips of 14 days or less per year)
  • Requires occasional lifting of boxes and a backpack weighing up to 50 lbs.
  • Conducting fieldwork requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition in support of remote field investigations and associated travel.
  • Working in an environment where there may be dust from handling and describing sediment samples.

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.

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.

Driver’s License Requirement
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.

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:

Trent Hubbard
Section Chief - Hydrology and Surficial Geology
FAX: 907-451-5050
Phone: 907-451-5010
Email: trent.hubbard@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
  • 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

ID

5072d5b83455951bff963177d6f7c414
About State of Alaska
Apply Now