PAY GRADE:  28N/29E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The mission of the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) includes research, exploration and service.  Statutory charges include: systematic investigation of the geology of Delaware; exploration and research pertaining to the water, mineral, and other earth resources; preparation of reports and maps presenting its findings; and provision of factual information and advice to the officials and citizens of Delaware. Under the general direction of a senior investigator, the Research Associate I will, with minimal supervision, perform basic data collection and applied research in the hydrogeology of Delaware. The salary for this position is supported partially or entirely by State, Federal and external grants and sources with an annual funding cycle.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:                                                                   

• Participates in multi-disciplinary investigations and monitoring of groundwater occurrence and use.
• Assists with field investigations and data collection from field monitoring sites including groundwater sampling, well logging, and aquifer testing.
• Helps coordinate field activities and provides support to field crews, students, and contractors collecting data on soils, sediments, aquifer hydraulics, water quality, hydrostratigraphy, and water levels.
• Maintains and updates relational databases and geodatabases for data collection and analysis. Performs basic cataloging, querying, and quality control tasks on collected data.
• Compiles and summarizes hydrologic, geologic, and water quality data using tools such as GIS, statistical software, and data visualization programs.
• Coordinates with investigators and staff of other University departments and external agencies to facilitate data sharing and support project activities.
• Assists in the preparation of technical reports and maps for publications, presentations, and submission to funding agencies.
• Presents research findings to the public at seminars and conferences.
• Performs other related duties as assigned, with opportunities for learning and skill development in hydrogeologic field methods and data analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE I:

• Bachelor's degree in geology, environmental science, or related scientific discipline and one year of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of soil and groundwater sampling and testing methodologies, such as borehole and geophysical logging and groundwater sample collection, including quality control protocols, is preferred.
• Knowledge of PC-based (Windows) database management is necessary; familiarity with ArcGIS, R, or Python is desirable.
• Interest and aptitude for learning new technologies, software and equipment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision after initial instruction.
• Familiarity with geologic and hydrogeologic units of the Delaware Coastal Plain preferred.
• Ability to interact and work collaboratively with a diverse group of individuals, including personnel at the University and the general public.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE II:

• Bachelor's degree in geology, environmental science, or related scientific discipline and two years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of soil and groundwater sampling and testing methodologies, such as borehole and geophysical logging and groundwater sample collection, including quality control protocols, is preferred.
• Knowledge of PC-based (Windows) database management is necessary; familiarity with ArcGIS, R, or Python is desirable.
• Interest and aptitude for learning new technologies, software and equipment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision after initial instruction.
• Familiarity with geologic and hydrogeologic units of the Delaware Coastal Plain preferred.
• Ability to interact and work collaboratively with a diverse group of individuals, including personnel at the University and the general public.
• Responsibility for scheduling, supervising and independently collecting data from field monitoring sites.
• A higher level of data management and data QC would be expected rather than just performing basic data management and queries.
• Ability to identify and independently solve problems and issues with equipment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a driver’s license with the ability to operate vehicles legally in Delaware.
• Position requires work inside at a computer workstation and in a sample processing and examination laboratory as well as regular physically demanding work outside in hot/cold/wet conditions, including lifting equipment of up to 50 pounds.