Subsurface Materials Geoscientist, Natural Resource Scientist 3 (NRSci3)

Description

Subsurface Materials Geoscientist, Natural Resource Scientist 3 (NRSci3)

Recruitment # -P

Full-time, Project, Represented position (WFSE)

Anticipated Project is October 2026 through June 2027

Location: Natural Resources Building - Olympia, WA

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered

Salary: $6,229.00 - $8,374.00 monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 8/6/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Washington Geological Survey is looking for an energetic team member to serve as our Subsurface Materials Geoscientist. If you're enthusiastic about organizing rock samples and working in a warehouse setting, this role is for you! The successful candidate will manage the collection, storage, analysis, and inventory of physical materials including core, cuttings, and hand samples. This project position is funded through June 30th, 2027, with the possibility to extend or convert to a permanent position.

Duties

Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains a comprehensive inventory database system to track archived materials, including linking materials to relevant publications.
• Facilitates future public access to sample information.
• Locates Washington sample materials held by external partners and determines if materials are suitable for consideration of requesting materials for permanent storage within WGS.
• Receives new materials from WGS staff and external donors, and updates the inventory accordingly.
• Thoroughly checks sample inventory and gathers sample information to enhance metadata.
• Creates archival-quality labels and a storage system.
• Identifies samples at risk of degradation from improper boxing or storage and re-boxes samples as appropriate.
• Upon request, arranges sample viewing or check-out.
• Once accurate inventory is finalized, assists in creating public-facing inventory and webpage.
• Determines appropriate analyses and performs sampling as needed, including determining whether destructive sampling is permissible.
• Designs and maintains database structure for analytical results and compiles results from literature.
• Manages physical materials warehouse safety and maintenance.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. It is important that you clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• A bachelor's degree with major study in geology or closely related field AND (4) four years of professional geoscience or closely related work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience.
• GIS experience, focused on editing, attribution, and metadata writing for vector-based spatial geodatasets.

Required Competencies:

• Skills in communicating with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• 30% office setting, 70% warehouse setting (Webster Seed Nursery Geologic Materials Storage Facility) with limited heating, no cooling, no running water, and a portable toilet.
• Travel between the Natural Resources building and the WGS warehouse is occasionally needed. Other infrequent travel, in-state or out-of-state, to workshops, meetings, or conferences may occur throughout the year.
• A current, valid driver's license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree in geology or a closely related field.
• Experience creating or managing inventories in a warehouse setting.
• Experience in laboratory sampling and analytical techniques.
• Forklift experience.

At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at

Questions? Please contact William Gallin at or or email us at

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call or email Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or .

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women's Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit for more information.

Additional Information: This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veterans preference, please attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or a USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out all PII (personally identifiable information) data, such as Social Security numbers. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We stride to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.