Geologist Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities
This post provides complete information on the job description of a geologist, to help you learn the work they do.
It presents the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that commonly make up the geologist work description in most organizations.
It also shows the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill by recruiters to be hired.
Please, continue reading to learn more about the geologist career:
What Does a Geologist Do?
A geologist can be described as a scientist who is a specialist in examining and studying the earth’s crust to obtain correct and accurate picture of its structure, history, and composition.
There are different kinds of geologists, such as mineralogist (who is responsible for studying rocks, minerals, and precious stones, and classifying them according to their structure); paleontologist (who is saddled with the responsibility of working with biologists to determine what the world was like in the prehistoric times by studying fossils and layers of rock); and engineering geologist (who is responsible for assisting in the construction of dams, laying of pipelines, and building of roads).
In other words, a geologist refers to a professional individual who is saddled with the responsibility of critically examining and analyzing rocks, formations, and other varieties of geologic structures to determine and understand how the earth has evolved historically.
The geologist job description entails carrying out several important daily activities as required by the organization he/she works for
He/she is responsible for carrying out both theoretical and scientific duties, as well as a variety of practical responsibilities.
Some of the practical tasks that are carried out by geologists include identifying and examining suitable materials for concrete, creating maps for land use or extraction of minerals, and disclosing risks for disasters such as landslides and earthquakes
A geologist is also responsible for determining if certain resources such as natural gas deposits, underground water, oil, and so on are available in different areas.
He/she may also be responsible for providing advice on various public work activities such as waste management or restoration.
A geologist who works at a construction site, for example, is saddled with the responsibility of addressing engineering problems, land use, or resource management, which makes an adequate knowledge of engineering equipment beneficial for this job position.
Another essential duty that is commonly part of the geologist work description is the maintenance of a healthy interpersonal relationship and communicating with diverse groups of professionals such as landsmen, marketers, and regulatory personnel.
To work as a geologist, interested individuals are required to showcase certain skills, attributes, and qualifications that are required for efficiency in this job role.
Some of the required skills for this job position include excellent written and verbal communication skills, profound knowledge of all relevant rules and regulations, adequate knowledge of software development, ability to analyze geological data, familiarity with all safety regulations and policies, and good organizational skills.
In terms of academic qualifications, the position of a geologist requires that the ideal candidate possesses a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Mathematics, Geology, Chemistry, Physics, or any other related discipline, while more specialized positions demand that the candidate should have a Master’s or Doctorate degree.
Several years of previous work experience in an industry-related field is also considered a necessity by some employers.
Geologist Salary: The average salary for a geologist is $58,431.
Geologist Job Description Example/Sample/Template
The major duties, tasks, and responsibilities that typically make up the geologist job description are highlighted below:
- Carrying out geological and field tasks by utilizing standard geological techniques and analysis
- Preparing and reading geological structures and maps
- Staying current and up-to-date with the latest and evolving geological theories and principles
- Carrying out field sampling and analyzing sample data for geological settings
- Taking accurate records and preparing reports on completed fieldwork and findings based on these records
- Assisting and guiding young geologists when required
- Developing applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data
- Carrying out proper investigations on the structure and evolution of the earth and its natural resources.
Geologist Job Description for Resume
If you have worked before as a geologist or are presently working in that role and need to make a resume for a new job, it will be beneficial to have the professional experience section added to your resume.
With this section, you can effectively show that you have been successful performing the duties and responsibilities of a geologist, which can help you get an invitation for an interview with the recruiter.
You can use the sample geologist job description above to easily and quickly create the professional experience part of your resume.
Geologist Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge for Career Success
If you are seeking to work as a geologist, here are major requirements recruiters may want you to meet to be considered for hiring:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as a geologist is expected to liaise and maintain healthy relationships with landsmen, marketers, and regulatory personnel
- Well-developed computer literacy skills and the ability to efficiently analyze numerical and graphical data
- Analytical thinking which enables a geologist to analyze numerical and graphical data efficiently and effectively
- Computer literacy skills, as he/she must be able to develop applied software analysis and interpretation of geological data
- Several years of previous work experience and adequate knowledge of a range of sciences and their applications
- At least a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Mathematics, Geology, Chemistry, or Physics or in any other related discipline.
Conclusion
If you are a recruiter or HR manager needing to hire for the geologist position in your company, you will need to publish the description of the role to show the kind of duties the geologist you are looking for will perform.
This will help you to attract only those with the right competence to excel as a geologist in your company.
You can create the perfect description for the geologist job in your organization by applying the job description sample given above.
This post is also useful to individuals interested in the geologist career, to learn all they need to know about the duties performed by the role.