Geologist
Date Posted: Apr 24, 2026
Requisition ID: 475209
Location:
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
About the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:The Indiana Department of Natural Resources protects, enhances, preserves, and wisely uses natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
Provide geological consultation utilizing technical expertise regarding engineering geology, hydrogeology, and geology.
Understand, interpret, and employ applicable State and Federal regulatory rules, guidance, and policies related to geological investigations and contaminant remediation.
Lead or assist field teams during site investigations.
Offer solutions to issues/complaints using data analysis and test data.
Facilitate the creation and editing of staff reports and correspondence to ensure consistency in application of laws and regulations.
Educate staff regarding implementation of geological policies and programs.
Review and evaluate technical guidance documents, reports, journals, and related articles.
Create internal schedules and work scopes, milestones, deliverables, and end products.
Maintain organized site files and program databases.
Assist in geological enforcement actions.
Participate in pre-hearing conferences, provide testimony as expert witness in pre-trial depositions and hearings, and testify in administrative or court hearings.
Propose revisions to existing regulations and identify new needs in agency or program operations and develop long-term strategies to deal with these new needs.
Manage resources for strategy implementation.
Report findings and make recommendations of building structures (including dams, bridges, highways etc.) material aggregates and soils for construction.
These additional duties may be performed if this position is at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Oil & Gas exploration: Process and evaluate applications, and issue permits for all oil- and gas-related wells and county test holes. Review all processing, exploration, and applications of mine, oil wells, dams, and other related water resource structure plans to determine and ensure that the plans are accurate and meet legal and technical requirements.
Water: Perform complex data analysis and interpretation to determine location and extent of underground sources of drinking water.
These additional duties may be performed if this position is at the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
Administer INDOT's ledge and pit sampling program. Conduct and analyze the sampling tests and publish results to ensure compliance with specifications and compatibility with the uses recommended.
Serve as technical expert for geotechnical instrumentation and supervise SPT & CPT drilling operations ensuring that projects are done correctly and in a timely manner.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:
Must be registered as a Licensed Professional Geologist in Indiana.
Broad knowledge of the principles, practices, theories, and methodologies applied to geologic/hydrogeologic science and related fields.
Thorough knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply all applicable federal and state laws, environmental regulations, acts, and guidelines.
Broad knowledge of applied statistics, environmental design, geologic sampling, and interpretation of geologic analysis.
Thorough knowledge of remedial and corrective action as it relates to various program areas.
Ability to conduct intensive research for geologic and hydrogeological advancement of the program area.
Ability to determine resolutions and new approaches to various geotechnical problems.
Specialized knowledge of well hydraulics, ground water modeling, drinking water management, waste and wastewater management, and related regulations.
Bachelor's degree in Geology with an emphasis on Hydrogeology or Engineering Geology, Environmental Science, Petroleum Engineering, or a related area and Six (6) years of work experience in geology, hydrogeology, environmental management, or related fields.
Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
Working knowledge of history and practices of the oil and gas industry, the construction of oil and gas related wells, underground injection, petroleum resource management, oil and gas related remediation, and the principles of GIS and surveying for site location.
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
Knowledge of American Association of State Highway Transportation (AASHTO), American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), Indiana Test Methods, and INDOT specifications.
Advanced knowledge of, and ability to operate, geologic field instruments and construction testing equipment such as LWD, DCPT, etc.
Advanced knowledge of survey and mapping techniques.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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