CLASSIFICATION: EARTH SCIENTIST I

Class Code: 3850-18 Date Established: 01-05-95

Occupational Code: 7-6-8 Date of Last Revision:

BASIC PURPOSE: To assist in the implementation of subsurface exploration programs, and to perform a variety of professional duties associated with the geological and soil science aspects of statewide civil engineering projects.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs preliminary reconnaissance of project sites to evaluate potential soil and geologic conditions and to provide geotechnical information for use in design and construction.

• Prepares materials reports which are included in the proposed documents for highway and bridge construction projects.

• Manages subsurface exploration programs in the field and inspects geotechnical field work performed by state drilling and backhoe exploration crews.

• Identifies and classifies soil/bedrock and obtains samples for laboratory testing; maps soils according to standard types.

• Communicates with other bureaus, government agencies, state and town officials, utility companies, and property owners regarding geotechnical exploration programs.

• Implements traffic control systems to insure the safety of exploration crews and the general public.

• Performs survey functions utilizing instrument survey techniques for geotechnical investigations.

• Performs quarry studies to evaluate rock quality for use as concrete and asphalt aggregate and for crushed stone base courses.

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DISTINGUISHING FACTORS:

Skill: Requires skill in recommending routine changes in standardized operating procedures OR in retrieving, compiling and reporting data according to established procedures OR in operating complex machines.

Knowledge: Requires logical or scientific understanding to analyze problems of a specialized or professional nature in a particular field.

Impact: Requires responsibility for achieving direct service objectives by assessing agency service needs and making preliminary recommendations for the development of alternative short-term program policies or procedures. Errors at this level result in incomplete assessments or misleading recommendations causing a disruption of agency programs or policies.

Supervision: Requires partial supervision of other employees doing work which is related or similar to the supervisor, including assigning job duties, providing training, giving instructions and checking work.

Working Conditions: Requires performing regular job functions in an environment which includes exposure to continuous physical elements or a number of disagreeable working conditions with frequent exposure to minor injuries or health hazards.

Physical Demands: Requires medium work, including continuous strenuous activities such as frequent reaching, bending, or lifting as well as performing work activities which require fine manual dexterity or coordination in operating machines or equipment.

Communication: Requires summarizing data, preparing reports and making recommendations based on findings which contribute to solving problems and achieving work objectives. This level also requires presenting information for use by administrative-level managers in making decisions.

Complexity: Requires a combination of job functions to establish facts, to draw daily operational conclusions, or to solve practical problems. This level also requires providing a variety of alternative solutions where only limited standardization exists.

Independent Action: Requires a range of choice in applying a number of technical or administrative policies under general direction and in making routine decisions or in recommending modifications in work procedures for approval by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with major study in geology, soil science, civil engineering, or other related soils or geological studies. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.

Experience: Three years' professional experience in geology or a soil scientist environment.

License/Certification: Possession of a New Hampshire driver's license and/or access to transportation for statewide travel.

RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS: Knowledge of soils and/or bedrock characteristics, methods of analysis, and a scientific understanding of geologic/pedalogic features. Knowledge of current engineering principles and practices applied in the location, design and construction of roads, dams and comparable structures. Knowledge of mathematics sufficient to perform moderate engineering computations. Knowledge of basic physics and mechanics. Ability to interpret soil profiles, maps and construction plans. Ability to prepare clear and concise engineering reports. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees, state and federal officials and the general public. Must be willing to maintain appearance appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the agency appointing authority.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: This class specification is descriptive of general duties and is not intended to list every specific function of this class title.

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