Position opening: Director, PA Bureau of Topographic & Geologic Survey

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU OF STATE EMPLOYMENT invites applications for the position of: Director, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has an immediate opening for: Director, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This is a full-time, senior management service position serving as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's State Geologist responsible for directing DCNR's statewide program of collecting, preserving and disseminating impartial information on the Commonwealth's geology, geologic resources, and topography in order to contribute to the understanding and conservation of its land and its associated resources. This position will actively engage with both internal DCNR staff and external entities, such as other Commonwealth agencies to encourage, foster, and develop collaborative relationships with stakeholders in state, federal, and international agencies, academic institutions, private industry and the public. This position will also collaborate with other State Geologists in the formulation of national earth science policies, programs and related issues and will develop DCNR and statewide earth science policies and programs. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The selected candidate should: show a demonstrated successful career and experience in geologic or geologic-based program management demonstrate skill in leading a multidisciplinary organization committed to providing information and advice to decision makers demonstrate a commitment to public and/or customer service communicate the importance of sciences to varied audiences have a high level of professional credibility and personal integrity share a practical understanding of the challenges facing society related to the geosciences, including water, environmental, earth hazard, mineral resource, and/or energy issues REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: A Master's degree in geology, hydro geology, or a related geologic specialty field; and nine years of professional experience in the geologic research field. Four of the nine years of required experience must have included managerial and second-level supervisory experience; OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience which affords the applicant the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, and includes a minimum of four years of managerial and second-level supervisory experience. A necessary special requirement of this position is licensure as a Professional Geologist by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or a reciprocal jurisdiction, where there can be no exemption from such licensure as defined in Section 5, Exemption from Licensure, of the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law (as amended). SALARY INFORMATION: $76,519 - $116,265 plus attractive benefits package. JOB TYPE: Permanent Full-time DEPARTMENT: Conservation & Natural Resources BUREAU/DIVISION: Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey COUNTY: Dauphin, Pennsylvania ADDRESS: 3240 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown, Pennsylvania, 17057 CONTACT: Debra Gray, dgray@pa.gov, 717-705-1082 OPENING DATE: 07/27/15 CLOSING DATE: 08/21/15 11:59 PM

New Mexico Tech Taps Matthew Rhoades As New State Geologist

SOCORRO, N.M. June 23, 2015 – New Mexico Tech announced Friday, June 19, that the Matthew Rhoades has been selected as the new State Geologist and Director of the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources.

“In Mr. Rhoades, we’re getting an individual with broad experience,” said Dr. Daniel H. Lopez, university president. “We’ve found an individual who will continue the excellent work at the Bureau for many years. He has a strong science background and strong grasp of finances that are required for the continued growth and success at the Bureau.”

Rhoades has been the principal geologist at WorleyParsons in Denver since 2011. He has experience in ground water, surface water, soil, soil gas, solid waste leachate, mine waste and mine tailings projects. In addition to projects in several states, Rhoades has worked on a variety of projects in foreign countries, including Ecuador, Colombia, Afghanistan, Mexico, Chile and Peru.

Rhoades earned his bachelor’s from the University of Missouri in 1981, a master’s in structural geology from Washington State University in 1984 and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix in Denver in 1992. He is a licensed Professional Geologist in six states.

Rhoades worked in operations as a well site geologist from 1984 to 1986 with Analex Inc. He then spent 11 years with Harding Lawson Associates. There, he spearheaded a successful initiative to pursue Department of Energy projects, including a geophysical investigation at Hanford Nuclear Researvation in Richland, Wash.

From 1997 to 2005, Rhoades was the principal hydrogeologist and operations manager for the Denver office of Maxim Technologies. He oversaw remediation projects for ConocoPhillips, Lockheed Martin Aerospace and TotalFinaElf.

Rhoades then joined Golder Associates from 2005 to 2006, where he worked on mining issues in Arizona. From 2006 to 2011, he worked as an independent consultant, targeting mining projects.

“Mr. Rhoades background is not specific to a university setting, but he’s worked directly with industry on science questions related to extractive industries,” Lopez said. “He also has a strong background in the area of securing external funding. I am confident that Mr. Rhoades will maintain the strong foundation of the Bureau. He’s well equipped to pursue other opportunities for expanding the role of the Bureau within New Mexico, as well as reaching out beyond the borders of the state.”

Lopez said he was impressed with Rhoades during the interview process, particularly his management experience and skills.

“He’s a good listener and problem-solver and he will be highly supportive of the Bureau staff,” Lopez said. “He has a clear vision about how the Bureau can expand its role and add value to its existing excellent work.”

Rhoades was selected from three finalists. Initially, a search committee of nine faculty members, administrators, and Bureau of Geology staff reviewed application materials and interviewed candidates to settle on three finalists. The candidates were Dr. Nelia Dunbar, deputy director of the Bureau; Matthew Rhoades, principal geologist with WorleyParsons in Denver; and Dr. Hannes Leetaru, senior petroleum geologist with the Illinois Geological Survey.

“We were very fortunate to have three excellent finalists,” Lopez said. “It was very difficult choice because any one of the candidates would’ve made a great director. Mr. Rhoades brought the right mix of talents and experience, which should prove beneficial to the Bureau and to New Mexico Tech.”

– NMT –

By Thomas Guengerich/New Mexico Tech

AASG and BOEM agreement on OCS collaboration

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) have signed an agreement to foster interaction, cooperation and coordination on marine minerals and oil and gas resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS).

Since the 1990s, BOEM and its predecessor agencies have worked with numerous state geological surveys on cooperative agreements to evaluate OCS sand resources for coastal resilience, restoration projects and planning. A national-level agreement will improve information exchange and the ability for BOEM, AASG and its members to communicate on national plans and issues with each other.

“As BOEM worked through extensive coordination with 13 Atlantic states following Hurricane Sandy, we realized that we could streamline operations even more through closer coordination with state geologists,” said Renee Orr, BOEM’s Chief of Strategic Resources. “They are important partners in helping us strengthen coastal resilience using OCS sand, as well as managing offshore oil and gas activities in all four OCS regions -- the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska.”

Officials from BOEM and AASG finalized the agreement on June 17 during the AASG annual meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona. Richard Desselles, Division Chief for Resource Evaluation, represented BOEM’s Office of Strategic Resources, and Dr. Jonathan Arthur, AASG President, signed for the association.   [Right, Richard Desselles (left), representing BOEM's Office of Strategic Resources, before AASG President Jonathan D. Arthur adds his signature to the agreement between the two organizations.
Photo courtesy of Kenneth Taylor, North Carolina Geological Survey]

"On behalf of the Association of American State Geologists, we welcome the enactment of this MOU with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Office of Strategic Resources to ensure the continuation of information sharing between our Nation's state geological surveys and our federal colleagues,” said AASG President Jonathan Arthur. “This MOU will serve us well as we work on items of mutual interest that affect the development and protection of our Nation's diverse coastal resources."

Under the agreement, BOEM’s Office of Strategic Resources may provide information to the association on appropriate BOEM permitting, research and planning activities for informal review and comment by the affected states. The AASG, through individual state geological surveys, may provide information to BOEM on appropriate state projects for informal review and comment. The purpose of these reviews is to facilitate information sharing that will foster mutually beneficial interaction, increase opportunities for cooperative BOEM-state geological survey activities and minimize conflicts and misunderstanding.

[from the BOEM announcement]

AASG members go back country in Petrified Forest National Park to early Triassic excavation

The post-meeting field trip for the AASG 107th Annual Meeting held in Flagstaff, Arizona, went to Petrified Forest National Park and Meteor Crater last Thursday.










Park naturalist and paleontologist Adam Marsh led the 50+ participants on a back country hike to a Triassic 'dying ground' site that he and his team are currently excavating.   The dig area was literally covered with weathered-out bone fragments and teeth from a number of pre-dinosaur fauna as well lots of petrified wood. The prime excavation site was exposing more intact materials.   Despite the 96F temperature, we had a difficult time getting everyone to leave the stop and hike back to the bus.

The meeting was hosted by the Arizona Geological Survey.

AASG wraps up successful annual meeting in Flagstaff Arizona

The Association of American State Geologists (AASG) met in Flagstaff this past week for its 107th Annual Meeting.   Over 150 attendees participated from state geological surveys, federal counterparts, professional organizations, and industry.     We had a variety of technical sessions on geoscience topics including induced seismicity, mineral resources, ground collapse, sustainability of state surveys, groundwater, and data preservation.

USGS Acting Director Suzette Kimball laid out a proposal for expanded collaboration between USGS and State Geological Surveys on a number of priority areas around resources, hazards, mapping, and environmental topics. 

A field trip to Grand Canyon on Tuesday, provided opportunities to discuss land use management, geology in national parks, outreach and education, as well as giving the attendees an introduction to Arizona geology.  [Top, USGS geologist Ryan Crow describes the planning and building of the Trail of Time at Grand Canyon, to AASG field trip participants.]

State Geologists Annual Meeting underway in Flagstaff

The 107th Annual Meeting of the Association of American State Geologists gets formally underway today in Flagstaff, Arizona, with over 150 in attendance.  The pre-meeting field trip through the San Francisco volcanic field drew nearly 80 participants.   The meeting is hosted by the Arizona Geological Survey.

Participants will tour Grand Canyon National Park on Tuesday.   The meeting runs through Wednesday, June 17, followed by a post-meeting trip to Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest National Park.