Project Geologist; Geothermal

PROJECT GEOLOGIST
-GEOTHERMAL

FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Salary – $35.16 - $45.00 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid
Final date to receive applications – 9/13/2026*

* This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

The Utah Geological Survey’s Energy and Minerals Program seeks a geologist/geophysicist with proficient knowledge and skills to join our team as a Project Geologist. Duties will focus on assisting senior-level geologists with a wide variety of grant-funded geophysical and geothermal projects. Someone proficient in grant proposal writing and project management and execution is preferred. This provisional position is funded for an initial term of 2 years, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon grant funding, budget, and need.

It has a fixed working schedule of 40 hours per week. The salary depends on experience and includes full benefits, including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. The position is located at the Utah Department of Natural Resources building in Salt Lake City, Utah.

• assist in planning and conducting geophysical field surveys for research projects;
• process, model, and interpret geophysical data including seismic, magnetics, gravity, electromagnetics, and high-precision GNSS data as necessary;
• assist in calibrating, repairing, and maintaining geophysical equipment in the lab and in the field;
• assist in the compiling, organizing, and archiving of geophysical data;
• assist in the characterization of geothermal resources and their potential in Utah;
• conduct geologic field work, sample collection, and technical report preparation;
• create geospatial digital geological and geophysical map products;
• assist with compiling, cataloguing, and archiving of historical resource data and reports.

Minimum or  day-one  qualifications:

• At minimum, the applicant must hold a Bachelors degree in Geology or Geophysics or a related field.

The ideal candidate will have:

• a graduate degree in geology, geophysics, or a related field;
• the ability to complete geologic field work in remote areas;
• the ability to work independently while maintaining a commitment to teamwork;
• demonstrable problem-solving skills, innovative thinking, and attention to detail;
• strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to give professional presentations;
• a working knowledge of the geothermal resources in Utah;
• the computer skills necessary for a geophysics-based research position (MS office, Adobe suite, GIS, Python, Fortran, and Linux language coding, etc.);
• extensive experience in collecting field data in applied geophysical survey methods for subsurface characterization studies including geothermal and hydrological resources;
• experience operating and troubleshooting geophysical equipment;
• experience processing geophysical field data for quality control and assurance including GNSS surveys;
• experience performing inversion modeling of geophysical data;
• the ability to seek external funding opportunities, lead and manage grant-funded research projects.

Location –
1594 West North Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84116
United States

Background Check Required – No

Drug Test Required – No

Schedule Code – TL - Time limited

Supplemental Information - Candidates must reside within the state of Utah

Work Schedule - 40 hours / week, Mon-Fri

Work environment, working conditions, physical requirements -

• Ability to perform field work in remote and rugged locations throughout Utah, including use of 4x4 vehicles or ATVs, frequent hiking, and carrying objects over 40 pounds.
• Flexibility to travel in-state and out-of-state as needed for field work, meetings, technical conferences, etc

required at the time of hire or must obtain during probationary period or designated time frame:

• Professional geology license in the State of Utah is required (only under limited circumstances is this requirement negotiable), or the ability to…