Position opening: Director of Kentucky Geological Survey

The University of Kentucky is seeking applicants for the position of Director of the Kentucky Geological Survey; this position also carries the title of State Geologist of Kentucky. This is a senior-level administrative position in the University reporting to the Vice President for Research, who, in turn, reports to the President. It is a full-time staff appointment with a generous array of benefits.

Responsibilities
The Director is responsible for administration of the Survey, including budgeting, personnel, research programs, productivity, and program prioritization; direct supervision of senior staff; and the professional conduct of the Survey’s activities within and outside the University of Kentucky. The Director is also responsible for KGS’s legislatively mandated programs, which include the Well Sample and Core Library, Groundwater Data Repository, Groundwater Monitoring Network, Oil and Gas Data Repository, Seismic and Strong-Motion Network, and geological investigations of the state and its mineral, fuel, and water resources and geologic hazards. Additional duties include:

• Participate in University, local, State, and national committees and boards related to geoscience
• Develop KGS-specific strategic plans that enhance the University and KGS missions
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for KGS staff
• Foster a professional culture that positions the Survey for success within the University and the Commonwealth of Kentucky
• Provide service to the Association of American State Geologists
• Communicate accomplishments and program highlights to a wide spectrum of stakeholders
• Advise Kentucky State government agencies, their directors, and secretaries
• Communicate important geoscience issues and initiatives to State and federal legislators

Location and Facilities
The Kentucky Geological Survey is located in the Mining and Mineral Resources Building at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Its main office is in a modern facility at the center of campus shared with the Department of Mining Engineering and the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute. It is within short walking distance of the UK Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, which has strong ties to KGS. The Survey also has two satellite facilities. The Well Sample and Core Library, constructed in 1997, houses collections of rock materials for public inspection and is located about 30 minutes from campus. The Western Kentucky Office is located in Henderson, near the Ohio River.
Lexington, at the center of the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, is a beautiful and very livable city of about 300,000 persons. It’s surrounded by scenic horse farms, and has vibrant historical, cultural, and entertainment amenities.

Qualifications
The minimum requirements for this position are a Ph.D. and 10 years of related experience in geology or a closely related field. Candidates should meet the requirements to become a registered professional geologist in Kentucky because the State Geologist is an ex officio member of the Kentucky Board of Registration for Professional Geologists.
Applicants must have knowledge of one or more areas of geology, and a demonstrated record of success in research, grant development, and program/project administration.
The applicant must be familiar with geologic research and the requirements for personnel, facilities, equipment, and support to ensure successful research endeavors on a statewide basis.
The work for this position takes place in both office and field settings. The applicant must be able to drive and travel for field work and conferences requiring overnight stays of up to a week.

Qualities Desired
The successful applicant should have leadership skills, experience supervising and managing researchers and research projects, writing grant proposals, creating budgets, presenting results of research to scientific and professional audiences, and good communication skills to foster cooperative, open, and productive relationships with co-workers, subordinates, and superiors, outside experts, and government and industry officials. The Director should demonstrate and advocate for unbiased, science-based research and public service programs. The applicant should understand and promote the unique role of a geoscience research and public service organization located within a land-grant university setting and be committed to fostering and developing diversity within the organization.

 For more information about the position and KGS please visit kgs.uky.edu/StateGeologist