State Geologist/Director of the Colorado Geological Survey

Position Title State Geologist/Director of the Colorado Geological Survey The Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines (Mines) and the Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) invite applications for a full-time State Geologist/Director of the CGS. The State Geologist is a non-tenured position that will lead CGS to build strong programs while fulfilling the requirements contained in the State statutes. Colorado has abundant mineral, energy, and water resources as well as geologic hazards, which impact the State’s infrastructure and economic well-being. These have to be managed in a way that optimizes value to our citizens and protects the beauty of our natural environment. As an integral part of Mines, CGS applies earth science expertise to help understand, quantify, and communicate to the public important earth-based natural resources and hazards. Disciplines span geologic and seismic hazards, mineral resources, energy resources, groundwater resources, and water quality issues.

The CGS is managed by Mines, and the State Geologist will lead the growth and enhancement in all facets of the programs within CGS, including research and outreach. Education and research programs affiliated with CGS are enhanced through close collaboration with the strong departments in the Earth and Society Programs Portfolio at Mines: Applied Mathematics and Statistics; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Economics & Business; Engineering, Design and Society; Geology & Geological Engineering; Geophysics; Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; Mining Engineering; and Petroleum Engineering. Mines is a public institution dedicated to education and research in science and engineering. Located in beautiful Golden, Colorado, in the Denver metropolitan area, Mines is home to approximately 5,400 undergraduate and 1,600 graduate students. Faculty at Mines have been involved in research and education relating to the earth, energy, and the environment since its founding in 1874. More information can be found at https://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/ and www.mines.edu .

For further information about the position or the university vision, please contact the search chair, Prof. Kamini Singha at ksingha@mines.edu .

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the State Geologist include:

• Directing and managing staff, including developing and enforcing standards for performance including expectations for professionalism, accountability and exemplary customer service and responsiveness; (30%)
• Conducting studies to develop geologic information, evaluating the physical features of Colorado with reference to present and potential uses; determining areas of natural geologic hazards that could affect the safety of or cause economic loss to the citizens of Colorado; advising the state engineer; conducting studies of how geology affects and controls water resources, especially within Colorado; and preparing, publishing, and distributing reports, maps, and bulletins; (20%)
• Devising long-term and short-term plans to ensure fulfillment of the CGS's mission including generating funding and revenue and determining areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change; (15%)
• Advising state and local government agencies on geologic problems, sometimes under emergency conditions affecting the health and safety of residents and first responders; (10%)
• Developing and implementing yearly budget and operational priorities in conjunction with the General Assembly; (10%)
• Inventorying and analyzing the state’s mineral and energy resources as to quantity, chemical composition, physical properties, location, and possible use; prepare an annual report on status of mineral industry; (10%)
• Advising the state on transactions dealing with natural resources between state agencies, other states, and the federal government. (5%))

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of an earned bachelor’s degree in earth sciences or geological engineering.
• Five years of relevant professional experience in the study or practice of applied geology.
• Five years of experience managing people and programs.
• Applicants must be a professional geologist as defined by Colorado statute (23-41-208 C.R.S.).
• To meet the requirements of a professional geologist, the applicant must be a person engaged in the practice of geology who is a graduate of an institution of higher education that is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency with a minimum of thirty semester (forty-five quarter) hours of undergraduate or graduate work in a field of geology and whose post-baccalaureate training has been in the field of geology with a specific record of an additional five years of geological experience to include no more than two years of graduate work.
• Possess broad geoscience interests and a record of experience in applied geology, geologic hazards, engineering geology, hydrogeology, and/or natural resource planning and management;
• Be nationally recognized within their discipline;
• Possess excellent skills in communication, customer service and interpersonal relations;
• Provide superior leadership and management of staff, including facilitating teamwork and trust;
• Provide technical/administrative resources to other staff and be willing to report and track projects;
• Have demonstrated a record of strong leadership, management, and research successes; and
• Demonstrate a sincere desire to participate in and contribute to the research and outreach mission of Mines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of an earned doctoral degree in the earth sciences or geological engineering.
  
  
• Ten or more years of relevant professional experience in the study or practice of applied geology.
  
  
• Ten or more years of experience managing people and programs.
  
  

About Mines & Golden, CO
Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado, a western suburb of Denver. The campus location offers a small-town ambiance with close proximity to all that the Denver metropolitan area has to offer with an abundance of cultural events, museums, theaters and sporting venues. An arid climate and an average 300 days of sunshine per year make the area an ideal place to live, work and play. We seek individuals who value a diverse and inclusive community – offering different perspectives, experiences, and cultures that enrich the educational and work experience. Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Pay Range

$117,000 - $136,500

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Total Rewards Mines is proud to provide exceptional benefits that include pay, health & wellness and work/life balance offerings. Our portfolio of benefits includes medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. Additionally, Mines employees are eligible for tuition benefits (for employees and dependents), generous paid holidays and leaves and discount programs. For more information, visit Mines benefits . How to Apply

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, three professional references, veterans status) and upload a resume and cover letter (required). References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Interested applicants should apply online as soon as possible. Review of applicants will begin after the priority deadline of January 24th, 2022.

Applicants must submit:

(1) a letter of application,
(2) a statement of leadership, experience, and interests, and past or proposed activities to advance access, inclusion and diversity, and
(3) a curriculum vitae.

Contributions to D&I: Candidates should submit a one-page statement on Contributions to Diversity and Inclusion. Mines is committed to access, inclusion, and diversity and is actively developing a strategic plan to advance Diversity, Inclusion and Access (for more information visit https://www.mines.edu/about/diversity-and-inclusion/). The diversity and inclusion statement should describe your past experiences and proposed activities to advance access, inclusion, and diversity at Mines.

Background Investigation Required Yes COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Effective December 18, 2021, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination upon hire.
Religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance.


Advertised: Dec 8, 2021 Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: Jan 30, 2022 11:55 PM Mountain Standard Time