Senior Geophysicist 1

DOWL; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

DOWL is seeking a Senior Geophysicist 1 in Billings, MT, to lead electrical resistivity testing and interpretation for major infrastructure projects. The role requires travel to field sites, mentorship of junior staff, and producing high-quality technical reports.

Strong leadership and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams are essential. The candidate will apply geophysical methods and codes, manage field campaigns, and ensure client satisfaction while maintaining budgets and schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field.
• Minimum 15 years of geophysics experience.
• PE license and professional credentials preferred.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and leading projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical resistivity testing programs and data interpretation.
• Plan field sessions and manage onsite data collection.
• Prepare technical reports and deliverables for clients.
• Mentor team members and coordinate with project stakeholders.
• Ensure budgets and schedules are met on complex projects.

Skills

Electrical resistivity

Geophysics

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

ResDInv

Rayfract

Seisimager/SW

Matlab

Surfer

Microsoft Office

Job description

550 North 31st Street
Suite 400
Billings, MT 59101, USA

Description

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

At DOWL, our Geosciences team is at the core of safe, efficient, and successful infrastructure development. Whether it’s a building, bridge, utility, roadway, or dam, every project starts with a deep understanding of what lies beneath. Our geoscience professionals apply advanced knowledge in soil and rock mechanics, geophysical surveys, and soils engineering to solve real-world challenges and deliver practical, data-driven solutions. From initial planning and permitting to hands-on fieldwork, analysis, and construction support, we evaluate subsurface conditions to guide every stage of development. If you're passionate about applying geoscience to build smarter, safer infrastructure, we invite you to bring your expertise to our collaborative and forward-thinking team.

Summary

The Senior Geophysicist 1 efficiently performs all phases of electrical resistivity testing and analysis. Duties include defining the needs and methods for geophysical testing, planning and conducting geophysical testing sessions, data collection and interpretation, and preparation of technical reports. This person is expected to exercise a strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills. Due to the field nature of this position, employees must have the ability to travel away from their home location for extended periods of time to work on-site at projects. The Senior Geophysicist 1 should demonstrate an advanced understanding of all electrical resistivity survey fundamentals and mentor others. This person is expected to be an excellent leader and work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Advanced
• Market Sector Software (ResDInv, Rayfract, Seisimager/SW, Matlab, Surfer) - Advanced

Technical Expertise

• Mastery of technical fundamentals
• Highly efficient at providing technical solutions to the most complex challenges
• Guides others towards the same
• Works with market sector leaders to advance technical skills within the team

Teamwork

Technical leader/mentor on large/complex projects, has excellent communication skills, answers questions from those with less experience, and takes action based on the needs of the team.

Project Delivery

Leads the production of and provides quality control for the following:

• Technical reports and memos
• Exploration plans
• Laboratory requests
• Calculations
• Modeling/software outputs

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex projects. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Mentors others on above. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget. Mentors others on above.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Expertly interprets, selects, and employs the following design codes:

• ASCE 7
• AASHTO
• IBC
• Local Codes
  • Understands limitations of design codes
  • Understands when deviation from design codes is appropriate
  • Actively mentors others on interpreting design codes
  • Actively mentors others in design code deviations and interpretation

Client Interaction

Frequent and direct communications with clients on large/complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Engages as industry expert on complex projects and pursuits. Leads technical aspects of project interviews. Mentors others on same.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Efficiently performs the most technically complex and demanding technical work without supervision. Reviews the work of others and mentors others on complex project tasks. May also perform project management duties as needed.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goalsfor performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Years of experience required: 15 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 14 years (MS), 13 years (PhD)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• PE required
• PGL/CPG required
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Ability to dig with shovel or digging bars; ability to walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice; and routinely lift and carry between 30 and 50 pounds. May need to work at remote sites.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.

In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud due to the proximity to construction sites and related equipment.

In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.