Salary: $78,925.00 - $119,844.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number:Department: Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Division: CN Mnls Div
Opening Date: 10/26/2026
Closing Date: 11/8/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 14940
Position Number: 00048478
Union: Non-Union
Bargaining Unit: B5
Pay Group: ST09
Bureau / Division Code: 00388180
Bureau / Division: Minerals Division
Worksite Address: 400 Market Street
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17101
Contact Name: Christine Adkins
Contact Phone: 717.772.5921
Contact Email: chadkins@pa.gov
DESCRIPTION OF WORKThis position leads the Geologic Resources Section in managing energy and mineral resource activities on state lands and waters. It supports responsible use of natural resources while guiding staff and collaborating with agency partners. As a Geologic Resources Section Chief, you will perform the following duties:
- Program Leadership: Oversee staff who manage contracts and agreements for oil, gas, minerals, water protection, and reclamation on state lands
- Contract Oversight: Guide decisions on lease terms, assist with negotiations, and coordinate dispute resolution efforts
- Resource Evaluation: Conduct economic assessments of oil, natural gas, coal, and mineral resources to support agency decisions
- Technical Analysis: Interpret geologic logs, maps, and data to support studies and reports on resource development issues
- Data Management: Maintain and organize geospatial information, correspondence, and files for program operations
- Collaboration and Outreach: Work with agencies, officials, groups, and the public to share information and support program goals
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, 5 days per 10 day pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITYQUALIFICATIONSMinimum Experience and Training Requirements:- Possession of an active license as a professional geologist issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists; or
- Two years as a Senior Geoscientist (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- Three years of professional geology experience, and a bachelor's degree in geology, hydrogeology, geosciences, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field that includes 30 college credits in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
Special Requirements:- All positions require possession of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.
Other Requirements:- PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
How to Apply:- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans: - Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): - 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION - Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
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Health & WellnessWe offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial PlanningWe invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life BalanceWe know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and CultureWe believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee PerksSometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Special Requirement - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?
02
If you answered yes to the above question, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
03
Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Senior Geoscientist for two or more years full-time?
04
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05
How many years of full-time professional geology experience do you possess?
- A. 3 or more years
- B. 2 but less than 3 years
- C. Less than 2 years
- D. None
06
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
07
How much graduate education have you completed in geology, hydrogeology, geoscience, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.
- A. 30 or more credits
- B. 15 but less than 30 credits
- C. Less than 15 credits
- D. None
08
Do you possess a valid current license as a Professional Geologist issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists?
09
If you answered 'Yes', please provide your license number and expiration date in the text box below. If you answered 'No', type N/A in the text box below.
10
INSTRUCTIONS: You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You
must complete the application
and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training.
The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description o 
