GOT-IT

Geologist Trainee

Similar to Grade 18

New York State has approximately 80 positions* in this title statewide. You may view a breakdown of positions by county. This position exists in various agencies statewide. View links to all New York State agencies including agencies that have this title. For more information, New York State employees can contact the Career Mobility Office at (518) 485-6199 or (800) 553-1322. If you are not a current New York State employee, you can use the Department of Civil Service Web site to explore possible employment opportunities.

*The number of positions is approximate and represents the number of positions established (both filled and vacant); it is not an indication or reference to position type or duration, or intent to be filled. If you are viewing a trainee title, please note this number reflects the number of positions established at the journey level. Agencies may fill at the trainee level(s) or at the journey level based on employee qualifications. GOT-IT does not provide information on any job postings or job availability. For information on current job postings, please visit State Jobs NY. You may also visit specific New York State Agency websites for information about an agency and its job opportunities.

Career Ladder

A listing of titles that are most commonly used as steps for upward mobility for this title series. The salary schedule for this career ladder is also available.

  1. Geologist Trainee

    Similar to Grade 18

  2. Assistant Geologist

    Grade 20

  3. Professional Geologist 1

    Grade 24

  4. Professional Geologist 2

    Grade 27

  5. Professional Geologist 3

    Grade 64

Upon successful completion of 24 months as Geologist Trainee, you will automatically advance to Assistant Geologist.

Note on Traineeships: When current State employees with prior graded State service transition into traineeships, there will be cases where these individuals will be compensated at a higher rate than the hiring rate of the "equated salary grade" of a traineeship. Specifically, in these cases, the starting compensation of a traineeship will be the higher of either: 1) the hiring rate of the "equated salary grade;" or 2) an employee's current graded salary. For those current State employees with no prior graded service who transition into traineeships, these individuals will be compensated at the hiring rate of the "equated salary grade." Overall, because of the various intricacies associated with the State's salary mechanics, the Office of the State Comptroller should be consulted regarding the actual compensation paid to any State employee transiting to a traineeship.

Summary of Job Description

As a Geologist Trainee, you would work under the direction of a higher-level Geologist on projects performing investigations and analyses to support the design and construction of NYS highways, bridges, and other structures, to support the investigation, remediation, and management of hazardous and non-hazardous waste sites, or to support the development and evaluation of groundwater supplies. Depending on the agency you are employed by, you may also assist in the investigation, evaluation, and management of crushed stone, sand, and gravel aggregate sources and their performance in bound and unbound applications, as well as soil and groundwater quality and water supply evaluations, geologic hazard evaluations, and other similar projects including the use of statistical analyses. Geologic and hydrogeologic evaluations may include the use of computer-assisted techniques including groundwater flow modeling and geographic information system analysis. You also may assist in the preparation and review of the geologic aspects of engineering and environmental investigations, reports, and studies. Duties may be performed in the field on projects and job sites, in the office, and/or in a laboratory.

Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and/or practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

There is no classification standard available at this time for this title. For additional information regarding other titles this will bring you to the NYS Title and Salary Plan. If there is a classification standard available there will be a link under the column labeled STD NO. If no link is available there is no classification standard available at this time for that title.

Summary of Minimum Qualifications

Please note: qualifications for this position may be subject to change. If substitutions for education and/or experience are allowed, this information would be available on the announcement.

You must take and pass a Civil Service examination in order to be considered for this position.

You must have a bachelor's degree or higher in earth science, engineering geology, environmental geology, environmental geosciences, geochemistry, geological engineering, geology, geological science, geophysics, or hydrogeology.

If you expect to meet the educational requirements by September 30, 2020, you can be admitted to the written test, but you cannot be considered for appointment until you submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirement to the Appointing Authority at the time of the employment interview. Failure to meet the educational requirements by September 30, 2020 may result in your removal from the eligible list.

Geologist Traineeship Program: As a Geologist Trainee, you will serve a 24-month traineeship that leads to Assistant Geologist, Grade 20. To advance to Assistant Geologist, you must have obtained proof of passing the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination and successfully completed the requirements of the traineeship to the satisfaction of the appointing authority. At the discretion of the appointing authority, early advancement to Assistant Geologist is possible if you have obtained your FG and have successfully completed twelve months of the traineeship. It is your responsibility to notify the appointing authority's personnel office upon obtaining proof of passing the FG. You may receive an increase in salary upon obtaining your FG. Information about this increase will be provided by the appointing authority.

For informational purposes only, click on the examination number(s) listed below to see the current or previous examination(s) that are used to fill this title.

26-795

How to Apply

When this examination is scheduled to be held, the announcement can be found on the Department of Civil Service, Examination Announcements web page. If you do not see an examination currently scheduled please check back on a monthly basis or sign up for announcement notification by email so that you will automatically be notified when new examinations are being offered.

Career Mobility

Career mobility is not just limited to the titles in the Career Ladder, above. Additional movement may be achieved through other examinations, additional education and/or work experience or transfer opportunities. For additional information or clarification of transfer determinations, current State employees should contact the Career Mobility Office. Visit ELMS Online to view established open-competitive, promotion, and transition eligible lists. If you are not a current New York State employee, see Employment Opportunities with New York State and find out how to become a New York State employee.

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