Senior Geological Designer

Job Intro

GFT is seeking a Senior Geologic Designer to join our Geotechnical, Dams and Hydraulics team in Roseville, CA
. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Roseville office.

The Roseville office primarily supports hydroelectric clients and their related projects. As a Senior Geologic Designer, you will support geologic investigations to characterize and evaluate geologic/geotechnical conditions and to identify geologic factors that could impact the design, construction, and/or long‑term performance of engineered structures. Project work performed and supported by this role includes geologic field reconnaissance mapping to identify and characterize geologic hazards, logging and sampling geotechnical borings, developing geologic models through interpretation of available surface/subsurface data, and preparing technical reports.

You will assist with a wide variety of projects, including rockfall evaluation and mitigation, storm damage assessment and repair, post‑fire assessment and debris flow mitigation, fault hazard evaluation, seismic source characterization, geotechnical and structural instrumentation, and water conveyance inspections (canals, tunnels, penstocks).

• Compiles and synthesizes geologic data from a variety of sources, including geologic maps, aerial photographs, construction records, and other background document information.
• Performs geologic field reconnaissance and mapping for the identification of geologic hazards and site characterization.
• Prepares field exploration work plans and job hazard assessments.
• Participates in subsurface exploration programs, including logging of soil borings, rock coring, fault trenching and test pits.
• Applies standard practices and techniques, interprets and correlates geologic and laboratory data, prepares geologic cross‑sections and maps.
• Prepares technical reports or sections of reports.
• Performs construction observation activities including site grading/earthwork, foundation preparation, instrumentation installation, scaling of rock slopes, and rockfall mitigation measure installation.
• Adheres to project quality assurance/quality control, and health and safety protocols.
• Performs periodic client coordination and attends project meetings.
• Concurrently supports multiple small projects and/or responsible for tasks within larger projects; management includes tracking of project resources, scope, budgets, schedules, and deliverables in accordance with quality management system.

• BA/BS degree in Geology, Engineering Geology, or related discipline.
• 1 to 3 years of direct professional work experience in geology, engineering geology, or related discipline.
• Experience in conducting field investigation activities/tasks independently or as part of a larger technical team.
• Ability to perform supervised geologic research, prepare tables, figures, and reports with focus on detail and accuracy.
• Knowledge of geology, engineering geology, or hydrogeology concepts and processes with ability to apply skills to projects within civil and geotechnical engineering disciplines.
• Strong, professional level oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient use of standard office software programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).

• MS degree or higher in Geology, Engineering Geology, or related discipline.
• Current Geologist in Training Certification.
• Experience primarily related to water conveyance/storage, hydropower, and infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of geotechnical instrumentation equipment including interpretation of results.
• Experience with field mapping and assessing rock stability (e.g., natural and cut slopes and within tunnels), performing computer‑based stereonet/kinematic analysis and rockfall simulations, to support the design of rockfall stabilization and support/rockfall mitigation.
• Proficient use various professional software tools (Agisoft, Rocscience suite, Rock Works, Leap Frog, Open Ground, LiDAR/photogrammetry software, GIS, etc.).
• OSHA 40‑hr. HAZWOPER Certification.
• Rope access training or certification, SPRAT Level I.

The salary range…