Environmental Scientist I

State of South Dakota; Vermillion (SD); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance option with $0-premum

11 paid holidays

Generous vacation and sick leave accr

Dental and vision insurance

SDRS retirement benefits

Job summary

State of South Dakota is seeking a Geologist to serve as a project geologist on drilling and well installation projects and to define subsurface geology and groundwater resources of the state.

You will log test holes, assist with drilling, create GIS maps, and prepare technical reports suitable for SD Geological Survey publications. The ideal candidate holds a geology degree, with a Master's preferred, and a CDL within six months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in geology, earth science, or a closely related field is required.
• Master's degree is preferred for advancement.
• Valid driver's license and CDL Class B within 6 months of hire.
• Pre-employment and post-hire drug and alcohol testing required.

Responsibilities

• Define subsurface geology and groundwater resources for the state.
• Log test holes and wells; assist drilling operations when needed.
• Create GIS maps of geology and groundwater resources.
• Prepare technical reports suitable for publication.

Skills

Glacial geology

Hydrogeology

GIS software

Field mapping

Geo logging

Education

Bachelor's degree in geology or earth science

Master's degree preferred

Tools

GIS software

Job description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 37503

Agency: Agriculture & Natural Resources

Location:Vermillion, SD

Salary: $28.17 Hourly

Pay Grade: S1

Closing Date: 10/08/2026

Duties

• Serve as project geologist on drilling and well installation projects to define the subsurface geology and ground water resources of the state.
• Perform the duties of a rig-side geologist to include the logging of test holes and wells that are drilled for the SD Geological Survey's investigations. Duties include assisting with drilling rig operations on occasion.
• Create GIS maps of the geology and ground water resources of the state.
• Prepare written technical reports that are suitable for publication by the SD Geological Survey.

Some travel will be required, including overnight stays. Fieldwork can occur in a wide range of weather conditions and may occasionally require the lifting of up to 50 pounds. Normal scheduled work hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. However, fieldwork may require the flexing of the work schedule to include longer workdays but not to exceed 40 hours per work week. This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. For more information, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/.

Licenses And Certifications

Only candidates having a Bachelor's degree in geology, earth science, or a closely related field will be considered. A Master's degree is preferred.

The successful candidate must hold a valid driver's license and must either have, or obtain, a Class B commercial driver's license (CDL) within 6 months of their hire date. The license is necessary so they can drive water trucks that are used in the SD Geological Survey's drilling activities, if the need arises. The employee will be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

A master's degree in geology, earth science, or a closely related field.

Knowledge Of

• glacial geology and glacial processes;
• South Dakota's surface and subsurface geology;
• hydrogeology, particularly in glacial sediments;
• geographic information system (GIS) software;
• down-hole geophysical logs;
• field mapping of geology.

Skill To

• write understandable, complete, and accurate technical reports.

Ability To

• manage geologic and water quality data;
• work independently as well as in teams;
• construct and interpret cross sections, structure-contour maps, and geologic maps;
• effectively map surface and subsurface geology.

Additional Requirements

To be considered, please attach your resume, descriptions of your work experience, and a recent writing example such as a college term paper or a technical report.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

An Equal Opportunity Employer