Geologist

Job Description

Join the Construction and Materials Bureau as a Geologist 2, where you will be an essential contributor to the quality assurance program for aggregates used in highway and bridge construction. In this critical role, your geological expertise and field insights will directly support the integrity of Iowa’s transportation system, ensuring every project is grounded in reliable materials, rigorous evaluation, and a commitment to excellence.

Ames, Iowa

8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday – Friday

• Advising aggregate producers, construction staff, and materials teams on material standards, specifications, and testing requirements.
• Guiding technicians on correct sampling, inspection, and testing procedures.
• Performing scientific tests to determine physical properties of construction materials and operating X-ray fluorescence and X-ray powder diffraction equipment, along with explaining these processes clearly to staff.

• Conducting field work at quarries and gravel pits, assessing ledge control, collecting representative samples, and preparing reports with recommendations.
• Updating or creating geological sections for quarries and measuring bedding using laser range‑finding tools.
• Supporting Staff Geologists in additional Districts as needed.
• Evaluating PCC pavement service history, compiling pavement history files, inspecting aggregate performance, and identifying locations for pavement core drilling.
• Performing field evaluations of revetment stone performance.

• Commitment to excellence.
• Collaborative teammates.
• Proactive problem solver with strong attention to detail.
• Motivated, friendly, inclusive and get‑it‑done attitude.
• Embrace and encourage a culture that thrives on innovative ideas and changes.
• Professional positive attitude.

• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• This position occasionally requires heavy lifting (up to 75 pounds with team or mechanical assistance for heavier items) and walking up to two miles on uneven terrain.

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately – biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match.
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in geology, physical geography, or a closely related geological science.
• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in a natural science, computer science, math, or engineering field, and experience equal to two years of full‑time work in groundwater, soils, environmental geology, geographic information systems, or other related earth science specialty.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal‑opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the affirmative action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at aa-eeo.

The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E‑Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

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