What does a project geologist do?
The primary duties of a Project Geologist are to study composition, structure, history, and other aspects of the Earth's crust through the examination of rocks, minerals, and fossil remains. They also collaborate with specialists and technicians about aspects of their work.
Project geologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real project geologist resumes:
- Manage and direct soil excavation projects at UST sites, pipeline leaks, and abandon oil fields.
- Manage numerous UST closures and site restorations
- Used GIS software such as ArcView and AutoCad to prepare maps and figures for reports.
- Perform various tests and procedures to ASTM standards.
- Generate report figures and sample location maps utilizing AutoCAD software.
- Conduct unconfined compression tests for select core samples to ASTM standards.
- Used AutoCAD and ArcGIS to develop accurate engineering drawings and designs.
- Assist with university compliance of hazardous waste storage facilities according to OSHA and CalEPA.
- Prepare health and safety plans and oversees various field activities with EPA and TCEQ environmental regulations.
- Used ArcGIS to lay out sampling grids, then collect samples by hand with a field assistant.
- Organize network systems, convert all Petra projects to new data engine with minimal down time to users.
- Carry out an integrate remote sensing and GIS techniques for the allocation of natural resources, for disaster prediction and change detection
- Integrate subsurface geology into Petra project and mapping numerous reservoirs.
- Associate work include AutoCAD uranium roll front interpretation and delineation.
- Provide critical oversight of EPA contractor during field work and interpretation activities.
Project geologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Project Geologists are proficient in OSHA, Data Collection, and Technical Reports. They’re also known for soft skills such as Outdoor skills, Physical stamina, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Project Geologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- OSHA, 6%
Remained current on all relevant OSHA safety practices and required certifications.
- Data Collection, 6%
Implemented hazardous waste management, remediation, surveying, UST and AST removal and analysis, and data collection.
- Technical Reports, 5%
Produced technical reports and work products for clients for approval by regulatory or other governmental and non-governmental agencies.
- Geotechnical, 4%
Designed subsurface investigations and provided field oversight and documentation for environmental and geotechnical drilling operations.
- Data Management, 4%
Reviewed entries made by Data Management into the Project Database for accuracy.
- GIS, 3%
Carried out an integrated remote sensing and GIS techniques for the allocation of natural resources, for disaster prediction and change detection
Common skills that a project geologist uses to do their job include "osha," "data collection," and "technical reports." You can find details on the most important project geologist responsibilities below.
Outdoor skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a project geologist to have is outdoor skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "geoscientists may spend significant time outdoors performing fieldwork." Project geologists often use outdoor skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed indoor and outdoor air monitoring and sampling in manufacturing and remediation projects. "
Physical stamina. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling project geologist duties is physical stamina. The role rewards competence in this skill because "geoscientists need to be physically fit because they may need to hike, sometimes to remote locations, while carrying equipment for fieldwork." According to a project geologist resume, here's how project geologists can utilize physical stamina in their job responsibilities: "managed ri/fs groundwater investigations, uxo geophysical investigations and performed numerous environmental site assessments and remediation efforts. "
Problem-solving skills. project geologists are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to project geologist responsibilities, because "geoscientists must be able to analyze statistical data and other information in order to address problems." A project geologist resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "vetted database exports, resolved assay and geological data qaqc issues and maintained the integrity of project data. "
Communication skills. A big part of what project geologists do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to project geologist responsibilities because "geoscientists must be able to present their research findings clearly to a variety of audiences, including both scientists and those who do not have a background in geoscience." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical project geologist tasks: "field verified and reported on over 20 ust closures for a large communications company. "
The three companies that hire the most project geologists are:
- Universal Engineering Sciences14 project geologists jobs
- RGA Environmental, A Terracon Company6 project geologists jobs
- Triad Engineering5 project geologists jobs
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Compare different project geologists
Project geologist vs. Environmental scientist
Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a project geologist are more likely to require skills like "construction oversight," "business development," "soil vapor," and "well design." On the other hand, a job as an environmental scientist requires skills like "environmental compliance," "oversight," "hazwoper," and "project management." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Environmental scientists earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $72,955. On the other hand, project geologists are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $102,147.The education levels that environmental scientists earn slightly differ from project geologists. In particular, environmental scientists are 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a project geologist. Additionally, they're 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Project geologist vs. Geology internship
In a geology internship, an intern has the opportunity to gain insights and practical experience while performing various support tasks under the directives and supervision of a geologist or manager. Their duties typically include working on different projects, conducting research, doing fieldwork, gathering and analyzing samples, collecting photographs or videos as evidence, completing surveys and assessments, and producing reports, submitting them according to protocols and standards. Additionally, they also have clerical duties, such as handling calls and other forms of correspondence, preparing and processing paperwork, and running errands when necessary.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real project geologist resumes. While project geologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "osha," "technical reports," "data management," and "environmental site assessments," geology interns use skills like "database management," "arcgis," "digitizing," and "petra."
In general, geology interns achieve similar levels of education than project geologists. They're 2.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for project geologists in the next 3-5 years?
Nelson Ham Ph.D.
Professor of Geology and Environmental Science, St. Norbert College
Project geologist vs. Geophysicist
A Geophysicist studies the Earth's physical properties. They also examine the effects of the atmosphere on radio and satellite communications.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a project geologist is likely to be skilled in "osha," "technical reports," "environmental site assessments," and "construction oversight," while a typical geophysicist is skilled in "geophysical data," "c++," "r," and "matlab."
Geophysicists earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $125,764. Comparatively, project geologists have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $102,147.geophysicists typically earn higher educational levels compared to project geologists. Specifically, they're 9.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Project geologist vs. Geoscientist
A geoscientist specializes in studying geosciences and performing research and analysis. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around crafting research plans, conducting field mapping and studies to examine geological structures, gathering samples, obtaining photographic evidence, and conducting different experiments and scientific studies. As a geoscientist, it is essential to maintain an extensive record of data, summarize results in reports and presentations, and collaborate with different scientists. They may publish their studies in various publications, utilize them for other projects and programs, or raise public awareness.
Types of project geologist
Updated January 8, 2025
