Search underway for Director, Kansas Geological Survey

The Kansas Survey and the University of Kansas have started a search for a new director.  There’s information available at http://www.kgs.ku.edu/General/jobs/director.html and at the AASG employment opportunities website.  Prospective candidates can contact one of the search committee co-chairs, Jim Butler (jbutler@kgs.ku.edu) and Greg Ludvigson (gludvigson@kgs.ku.edu).  

Dr. Gale Blackmer appointed Pennsylvania State Geologist

Please welcome Dr. Gale Blackmer as DCNR’s Director, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey effective November 2, 2015.  In this role, Gale will serve as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s State Geologist responsible for directing the work of the bureau.  She will be responsible for managing and directing the statewide program of collecting, preserving and disseminating impartial information on the Commonwealth’s geology, geologic resources, and topography.  Additionally she will be actively engaged with internal DCNR staff and external stakeholders and partners to maintain and develop collaborative relationships.

Gale is currently the Acting Director for the bureau where she has led the bureau through this transitionary period.  Prior to assuming the acting position, Gale served as Assistant Bureau Director and manager of the Geologic Mapping Division where, among many other things, she was responsible for the activities related to the StateMap federal grant program, oversaw the management of the Pennsylvania Groundwater Information System, and managed the South Newark Basin study.

Gale has been with DCNR and the Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey for over 15 years starting as Geologic Scientist and working her way through the ranks to now be bureau director.

Gale has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Geology, a Master’s degree from Penn State in Geology and Doctorate from Penn State in Geology.

Geologic mapping Town Hall at GSA Annual Meeting in Baltimore

INVITATION TO A TOWN HALL MEETING OF THE
NATIONAL COOPERATIVE GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM

To be Held in Hilton Baltimore Tubman Meeting Room on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

 

Kevin Gallagher, USGS Associate Director for the Core Science Systems (CSS) Mission Area, recently asked the leadership of the CSS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) to establish a process aimed at developing a bold new vision for the future of the Program.  The First Annual NCGMP Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore during the 2015 GSA Meeting will initiate that process, and is firstly intended to facilitate an open and informal discussion of the origins, achievements and success of EDMAP, STATEMAP and FEDMAP.  Moreover, recent progress on charting a path forward for geologic mapping, and emerging opportunities for new partnerships that would bolster the existing program while broadening into seamless and 3D geological mapping as an important response to societal needs, will be explored.  We will kick-off the Town Hall Meeting with a call to the NCGMP community for your wisdom on how best to renew the Program’s commitment to build on past success while concurrently embracing worthwhile new directions.  Next, Harvey Thorleifson, Director of the Minnesota Geological Survey, will moderate an Open Discussion of the Call to Action to the NCGMP Community that will be directed towards devising strategies for next steps to better fulfill that Communities' important role in response to the changing needs of society in a changing World.  

The Town Hall Meeting will be held at the Hilton Baltimore, 401 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD, in the Tubman Meeting Room on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  Seating is limited so please RSVP early to John Brock (jbrock@usgs.gov); also, the organizers ask that you bring your own coffee or other beverage, as desired.  The Agenda for the Town Hall Meeting will be provided to all confirmed attendees prior to 11/2/15, and please direct any questions or suggestions regarding this event to John Brock, Acting NCGMP Program Coordinator (jbrock@usgs.gov; 703-648-6053).  The NCGMP leadership hopes to hear your original ideas about how best to continue the Program’s proud tradition while adapting successfully to a changing World, and encourages you to join in the Town Hall discussion.