STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
HUMAN RESOURCES


CLASSIFICATION:  EARTH SCIENTIST III

 

Class Code:  3852-25                                      Date Established:  01-05-95           

 

Occupational Code:  7-6-8                              Date of Last Revision:  12-28-01

 

BASIC PURPOSE:  To evaluate geotechnical and geological engineering data and recommend appropriate action during the design, construction, and maintenance phases of statewide civil engineering projects.

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

·        Supervises subordinate personnel in various phases of geological and geotechnical investigations.

 

·        Coordinates with agency engineers, contractors, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrators and consultants in the design, construction, and maintenance of statewide civil engineering projects.

 

·        Reviews and inspects construction projects to ensure implementation of approved recommendations and to avert stability problems.

 

·        Plans subsurface exploration programs, reviews consultant recommendations, and provides construction advice and suggestions.

 

·        Submits for review by state and federal administrators geotechnical and geological reports containing interpretations, evaluations, and recommendations for the design, construction, and maintenance of statewide civil engineering projects.

 

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DISTINGUISHING FACTORS:

 

Skill:  Requires skill in analyzing and interpreting data, policy and procedures OR in using equipment in order to arrive at logical conclusions or recommendations.

 

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 direct supervision of other employees doing work which is related or similar to the supervisor, including scheduling work, recommending leave, reviewing work for accuracy, performance appraisal, or interviewing applicants for position vacancies.

 

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 reviewing summaries and reports and making management level decisions to solve problems or to achieve work objectives as well as articulating and expressing those solutions and goals.  This level also requires formal presentations of solutions and goals to employees and the general public to increase the responsiveness of the agency toward the demands of its client system.

 

Complexity:  Requires evaluating a combination of wide-ranging job functions to determine work procedures, to solve problems, and to reach conclusions by applying analytical, technical, or scientific thinking.  This level also requires planning policies and long-term strategies, drawing conclusions based on available criteria, and evaluating the effectiveness of program objectives.

 

Independent Action:  Requires independent judgment in planning and evaluating work procedures and in supervising the development of professional, technical and managerial standards under administrative direction and according to broad departmental guidelines.

 

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:  Seven years' professional experience in geology or soil science with at least two years of experience in engineering geology or geotechnical engineering.

 

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

 

RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS:  Knowledge of geological theory with emphasis on the use of land form and terrain characteristics for eventual use in construction.  Knowledge of structural geology, mineralogy, geomorphology, and glacial geology.  Knowledge of geological mapping, methods of blasting and stability analysis of rock slopes.  Knowledge of mathematics sufficient to perform moderately complex algebraic computations.  Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.  Ability to review and analyze technical geological and geotechnical reports and field and related engineering data.  Ability to plan and supervise the work of a professional and technical staff.  Ability to communicate effectively and to be able to speak to groups of professional engineers.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, consultant engineers, co-workers and the 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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Last Updated 05/10/02
URL: http://www.nh.gov/hr/classspec_e/3852.htm