Texas state geoscience job titles and knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for entry-level employees with associates and bachelors geoscience degrees
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Careers in the Geosciences in Texas
1. Careers in the
Geosciences in Texas
Best Practices for Preparing Two-year College
Students for a Geoscience Career and Transfer
Heather Beatty, P.G.
Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality
June 1, 2013
2. State Job Titles for Geoscience
Graduates
Corrective Action Specialist
Enforcement Coordinator
Engineering Specialist
Environmental Investigator
Environmental Permit
Specialist
Geographic Information
Specialist
Geoscientist
Hydrologist
Land Surveyor
Meteorologist
Natural Resources
Specialist
Program Specialist
Watermaster Specialist
3. Field Knowledge & Skills
• Sample surface water or groundwater
• Field mapping with paper and GPS
• Match observations with drawings
• Measure impacted natural resources
• Measure water level, flow, and quality
4. Office Knowledge & Skills
• Direct and supervise remediation
• Publish and make decisions with GIS data
• Review permit applications
• Evaluate compliance with environmental
requirements
• Analyze weather data
Heather Beatty received a Bachelor of Science degree in geosciences from Texas Tech University in August 1990 where she also received her Master of Science degree in geology in August 1992. Heather has been with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (and its predecessor agencies) since November 1992. She worked in the TCEQ Lubbock Regional Office and became a senior Petroleum Storage Tank Investigator in 1995. Since 1997, Heather has worked with the TCEQ Austin Regional Office as an Senior Environmental Investigator in the Edwards Aquifer protection program. The program regulates construction activity in portions of 8 counties in central and south central Texas. Heather has reviewed geologic assessments and other planning materials for numerous construction projects over the years. Heather is currently the technical specialist for the program and is focused on staff training and guidance document development to promote consistency and special projects to move the program towards maturity. Heather was a part-time instructor at Austin Community College for 8 years teaching physical geology, environmental science, and environmental regulations. She ’s is currently re- structuring the environmental regulations material into a distance learning course. Telephone: (512) 339-2929 E-mail: [email_address] Careers in the Geosciences in Texas 6/1/2013
These are the state job titles available to geology or geoscience graduates. These titles apply not just to my agency, but also others. Some of the names are generic, for example, one of the most filled positions is has a job title called “Natural Resources Specialist”. Someone who has the job title Natural Resource Specialist may have a functional title called Project Manager, and that person reviews groundwater contaminant concentrations for sites that are in remediation. Pollution cleanup or remediation is one area where my agency hires a lot of geologists. Other titles: Q&A In most cases, the entry level is a B17 which requires a 4 year degree in natural sciences. However, one year of experience can substitute for 30 semester hours of the required education. For example, the environmental investigator at a B15 is considered a trainee. Practically, you really need a 4 year degree to gain an entry level position. Natural Resources Specialist – at TCEQ this job title could be for someone with a geology degree, or at the Texas Parks and Wildlife this could be for someone with a biology degree (wildlife biologist) Careers in the Geosciences in Texas 6/1/2013
The field knowledge and skills that are needed include things such as (OR I have examples of specific skills that are needed) for a geoscience position in State Government. Geoscientists at the agency do take samples, but more often they observe other people sampling or review the results. It ’s good for them to know the main points of sampling (things like wearing gloves, using clean containers, chain of custody, and preservation). For mapping, we still receive paper maps with permit applications, and so your students still need that basic ability to locate their ground position to a position on a map. We also navigate to locations or features with GPS or telephone application. If the employee with collect data, the agency will train them and certify their ability to collect GPS data. In the middle photograph, we have a geoscientist examining a void in limestone. This employee needs to be able to understand this in 3D. We typically review the drawings of others. The natural resources reference in general. This may also involve using GPS to define an impacted area (spill for example). Measurements: We use a variety of equipment such as chlorine colorimeter, DO meters, pH maters, and flow meters. The student should be aware of the different tools and their basic principles, but they will receive initial and continuing training on each device. We also use measuring tools such as range finder, tape, hand level and rod Careers in the Geosciences in Texas 6/1/2013
We have to work in the office – and cannot be in the field all the time. Some of the knowledge and skills needed are these: Direct and supervise remediation – this refers to monitoring changes in contaminant plumes Publish and make decisions with GIS data – I would bet that nearly every geoscientist is making decisions with geospatial data, the trend at my agency is using map applications or map features to guide decision making Review permit applications – for a geologist or soil scientist, this might be looking ay soil information as it relates to a wastewater irrigation permit Evaluate compliance with environmental requirements – this is a skill that many with a natural science degree can perform, and it’s common at an agency like mine Analyze weather data – I added this to acknowledge the meteorologists working in State Government Careers in the Geosciences in Texas 6/1/2013
Attitudes translates into behaviors in the workplace We look for respectful behavior that is appropriate: conveyed physically with body language (in appropriate behavior such as rolls eyes, smirks, looks away can convey a lack of respect) in words (inappropriate language like cussing, demeaning, or condescending) performance that conveys attitude (range from excellence to misses deadlines, does not follow instructions, shabby work product, or no follow up Alignment with the agency mission – understand their role or duty aligns with the mission Careers in the Geosciences in Texas 6/1/2013
Appropriate workplace dress is important. In my position in the field office, I wear a shirt with an agency logo on most days. There are times when more professional dress is required, and we expect people to keep track of their schedules and understand how to dress appropriately. Audience Handouts TCEQ has an internship program. There are handouts available. It requires a minimum of 60 college credit hours. We take applications beginning in January. Careers in the Geosciences in Texas 6/1/2013
