Geologist
Operations
Jasonville, IN, USA
USD 67,314+ / year
Posted on Oct 31, 2026
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources protects, enhances, preserves, and wisely uses natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education. The Division of Reclamation (DOR) oversees active coal mining, restoration of land disturbed for coal extraction, restoration of land mined for coal, but abandoned without full or proper reclamation. DOR programs are a cooperative effort between Indiana and the Federal Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSM). DOR also administers the state laws pertaining to the mining of clay, shale, and oil shale. These are typically small operations for which post-mining land is reclaimed for wildlife habitat and water.
Role Overview:
- This job is located in Jasonville, Indiana.
- There is no remote work associated with this position.
- This position is Team oriented.
Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
Geologic Analysis & Evaluation
- Provides geological consultation utilizing technical expertise regarding engineering geology, hydrogeology, and geology.
- Reviews and evaluates technical guidance documents, reports, journals, and related articles.
- Reports findings and makes recommendations of building structures (including dams, bridges, highways etc.) material aggregates and soils for construction.
Regulatory Interpretation, Compliance & Enforcement
- Understands, interprets, and employs applicable State and Federal regulatory rules, guidance, and policies related to geological investigations and contaminant remediation.
- Facilitates the creation and editing of staff reports and correspondence to ensure consistency in application of laws and regulations.
- Assists in geological enforcement actions.
- Proposes revisions to existing regulations and identifies new needs in agency or program operations and develops long-term strategies to deal with these new needs.
- Educates staff regarding implementation of geological policies and programs.
Field Investigation, Data Analysis & Problem Resolution
- Leads or assists field teams during site investigations.
- Offers solutions to issues/complaints using data analysis and test data.
Project Planning, Documentation & Resource Management
- Creates internal schedules and work scopes, milestones, deliverables, and end products.
- Maintains organized site files and program databases.
- Manages resources for strategy implementation.
Legal, Testimony & Formal Proceedings
- Participates in pre-hearing conferences, provides testimony as expert witness in pre-trial depositions and hearings, and testifies in administrative or court hearings.
These additional duties may be performed if this position is at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Oil & Gas exploration: Processes and evaluates applications, and issue permits for all oil- and gas-related wells and county test holes. Reviews all processing, exploration, and applications of mine, oil wells, dams, and other related water resource structure plans to determines and ensures that the plans are accurate and meet legal and technical requirements.
- Water: Performs complex data analysis and interpretation to determine location and extent of underground sources of drinking water.
These additional duties may be performed if this position is at the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
- Administers INDOT’s ledge and pit sampling program. Conducts and analyzes the sampling tests and publishes results to ensure compliance with specifications and compatibility with the uses recommended.
- Serves as technical expert for geotechnical instrumentation and supervises SPT & CPT drilling operations ensuring that projects are done correctly and in a timely manner.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:
- Must be registered as a Licensed Professional Geologist in Indiana.
- Broad knowledge of the principles, practices, theories, and methodologies applied to geologic/hydrogeologic science and related fields.
- Thorough knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply all applicable federal and state laws, environmental regulations, acts, and guidelines.
- Broad knowledge of applied statistics, environmental design, geologic sampling, and interpretation of geologic analysis.
- Thorough knowledge of remedial and corrective action as it relates to various program areas.
- Ability to conduct intensive research for geologic and hydrogeological advancement of the program area.
- Ability to determine resolutions and new approaches to various geotechnical problems.
- Specialized knowledge of well hydraulics, ground water modeling, drinking water management, waste and wastewater management, and related regulations.
Bachelor’s degree in Geology with an emphasis on Hydrogeology or Engineering Geology, Environmental Science, Petroleum Engineering, or a related area and Six (6) years of work experience in geology, hydrogeology, environmental management, or related fields.
Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
- Working knowledge of history and practices of the oil and gas industry, the construction of oil and gas related wells, underground injection, petroleum resource management, oil and gas related remediation, and the principles of GIS and surveying for site location.
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
- Knowledge of American Association of State Highway Transportation (AASHTO), American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), Indiana Test Methods, and INDOT specifications.
- Advanced knowledge of, and ability to operate, geologic field instruments and construction testing equipment such as LWD, DCPT, etc.
- Advanced knowledge of survey and mapping techniques.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.