State Lands Geologist

State Lands Geologist

Location: Castle Rock, WA
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered

State Lands Geologist, Natural Resource Scientist 2 (NRSci2) In-Training (Salary range: $4,632 – $6,227 per month)
State Lands Geologist, Natural Resource Scientist 3 (NRSci3) (Salary range: $6,565 – $8,825 per month) The salary listed includes 7.5% assignment pay due to the required licensure. 

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 4/13/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Responsibilities:

• Assess geologic hazard and risk in the forested environment.
• Serve as an expert engineering geology consultant for land managers.
• Develop landslide hazard and channel migration zone mitigation recommendations for forest management activities, recreation plans, and engineering projects that follow Forest Practices or other applicable rules and regulations.
• Perform field reconnaissance in remote, rugged terrain.
• Utilize remote sensing tools including lidar derivatives and aerial imagery in GIS to map potentially unstable slopes.
• Assess rock source suitability for forest road construction.
• Perform detail-oriented project work and consultation.
• Consult with foresters, engineers, managers, local tribes, and stakeholders.
• Communicate orally and in writing to provide formal and informal briefings to regulators, technical experts, management officials, interest groups, and members of the general public.
• Collaborate with team members.
• Stay current with relevant scientific research.

Qualifications:

This may be filled as an in-training position. This is designated as a 12-36-month training plan. If you complete all elements of the training steps in a shorter amount of time, we may waive the remainder of the time required. Candidates will be considered as State Lands Geologist, Natural Resource Scientist 2 (NRSci2) In-Training or State Lands Geologist, Natural Resource Scientist 3 (NRSci3), depending on qualifications.

Required Competencies: 

• Knowledge of scientific literature as it pertains to the effects of forest land use on physical watershed processes (erosion, sedimentation, and hydrology).

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• A Washington Geologist License (LG) is required per RCW 18.220.020, as outlined in the individual performance development plan OR the in-training plan.
• A Washington Engineering Geologist License (LEG) is required per RCW 18.220.020, as outlined in the individual performance development plan OR the in-training plan.
• Must be approved by Forest Practices to be a “qualified expert” (WAC 222-10-030(5)) within one year of hire as an NRSci3 or within one year after promotion to an NRSci3. Note: While licensure is required for this position, it is not required upon hire. Please review the requirements for licensure in Washington State: https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/geologists)
• Position is required to both work in an office and in the field in remote locations on uneven terrain and in all weather conditions.
• Frequent day-long and occasional overnight travel is required.
• A current valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience conducting site-scale landslide risk analyses, where proposed timber harvest and road construction activities are evaluated for their potential to increase mass wasting.
• Experience developing harvest- and construction-related mitigation measures to reduce the potential for management-related mass wasting.
• Proficiency with slope stability modeling software, such as Slope/W.
• Experience authoring or co-authoring “qualified expert” reports prepared in accordance with the standards specified in WAC 222-10-030.
• Knowledge of relevant State regulations and laws including State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and Forest Practices rules.
• Proficiency with GIS applications including Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, Raster Calculator, and Model Builder to analyze and model topographic and hydrologic data; file geodatabase management; and Python programming.