Trainee Geophysicist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $59,149.00 - $80,464.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-56248-14900
Department: Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Division: CN Geolgc and Geogrphc Srvs Di
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 14900
Position Number: 00029103
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST06
Bureau / Division Code: 00382230
Bureau / Division: Geological and Geographic Services Division
Worksite Address: 3240 Schoolhouse Road
City: Middleton, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17057
Contact Name: Christine Adkins
Contact Phone: 717.772.5921
Contact Email: chadkins@pa.gov
THE POSITION
The Geospatial GIS Trainee role with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources gives you the chance to develop technical mapping skills in a supportive learning environment. In this job, you will assist with creating maps, analyzing data, and updating geospatial resources used across the state. Your work will help document geological features and support scientific projects. This position is ideal for individuals interested in technology, data, and geoscience.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position supports geospatial work within the Bureau of Geological Survey by learning GIS tools, assisting with mapping tasks, and contributing to data standards and updates. The role focuses on gaining hands-on experience with geologic mapping, data analysis, and geospatial workflows. As a Geospatial GIS Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Map Preparation: Assist in creating geologic maps, cross sections, charts, graphics, and data layers using GIS tools
• Data Learning: Learn geospatial methods from staff scientists and support others through technical guidance
• Standards Participation: Contribute to implementing geospatial data standards for content and quality assurance
• Data Investigation: Explore new data sources, tools, and techniques to improve mapping and analysis
• Project Support: Assist in preparing federally funded project deliverables using recognized geologic schemas
• Community Outreach: Participate in presentations, field trips, and written materials for scientific and public audiences

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 days per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in (LOCATION). The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Possession of an active Geologist-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists; or
• A bachelor's degree in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or a closely related field including or supplemented by 30 college credits in geologic coursework; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 30 college credits in geologic coursework.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession and maintenance of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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*Eligibility rules apply.
01
You must complete the supplemental question(s) below. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental question(s). Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.All information you provide on your application and supplemental question(s) is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. Read the question(s) carefully. Determine and select the option that most closely represents your highest level of experience/training/certification. The option you choose must be clearly supported if requested.If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

02
Special Requirement - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

03
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide the issuing state, license number, and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.
04
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, or are you within three months of conferring a bachelor's degree or higher in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, or engineering geology, or a related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

05
If you are within three months of completing bachelor's degree or higher in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, or engineering geology, or a related field, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please type N/A in the text box.
06
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, or are you within three months of conferring a bachelor's degree or higher, in a closely related geology field which includes or is supplemented by 30 college credits in geologic coursework?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

07
If you have not yet conferred a bachelor's degree or higher in a closely related geology field which includes or is supplemented by 30 college credits in geologic coursework, when do you expect to complete your degree? If not applicable, please enter N/A.
08
Do you possess an active Geologist-in-Training Certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists?

• Yes