Lead Geoscience Technologist
industrial_energy_operations › Technologist · S5 — S5 — Principal Support Specialist · Support
Senior technical expert who leads the collection, processing, and quality assurance of earth-science field data supporting resource exploration and management decisions.
Median pay · United States · annual
$60,631 USD
▲ +62.4% vs S1 on this ladder
Typical range ()
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What this role is
Senior technical expert who leads the collection, processing, and quality assurance of earth-science field data supporting resource exploration and management decisions. At the Principal Support Specialist (S5) level, the role owns function-wide support practice, program-level and systemic support problems, and drives support strategy across the function. Subject-matter authority; shapes the practice.
What this level does
- Develops new or improved sampling, calibration, QA/QC, and data-recording procedures for the geoscience team and documents them as the site or lab standard
- Serves as the recognized go-to for the most complex specimen, well-log/borehole, GIS, and remote-sensing data problems, working out techniques others then adopt
- Acts as working lead and technical facilitator across concurrent field programs, setting the data and sampling protocols the team executes to
- Establishes calibration and equipment-maintenance regimes and trains technologists to perform them consistently across sites
- Advises geoscientists on data quality, feasibility, and field logistics before a program is scoped, contributing to how studies are planned
- Knowledge applied
- Highly skilled in a geoscience-support specialty; contributes to the creation of new sampling, QA/QC, and data procedures and methods.
- Complexity & problem solving
- Develops techniques and resolves the most complex specimen, log, GIS, and remote-sensing data issues.
- Collaboration & interaction
- Acts independently as working lead/facilitator across programs; provides guidance to and influences other technologists and advises geoscientists.
- Typical experience
- 6+ years; expert in the geoscience-support specialty.
Skills at this level
- Sample Collection and Handling
- — Collects soil, rock, water, and other materials from exploration sites, then labels, packages, and preserves specimens with correct chain-of-custody for lab testing.
- Geological Data Recording
- — Records field observations and test results into specialized geoscience data-management software, applying standard formats and checking entries for consistency.
- Geological Mapping
- — Maps the geographical distribution of rock types, geological structures, and related features onto base maps and GIS from field notes and traverses.
- GIS Software (ArcGIS/QGIS)
- — Uses ArcGIS/QGIS to manage spatial geological data, produce distribution maps, and resolve georeferencing and layer problems in field datasets.
- Equipment Calibration and Maintenance
- — Calibrates and maintains field and laboratory geoscience instruments on schedule, diagnosing and correcting measurement faults to keep results accurate.
- Laboratory Sample Testing
- — Performs and logs routine lab tests on soil, rock, and water samples, tracks turnaround, and reconciles returned analytical results against field records.
- Well Log and Borehole Data Handling
- — Compiles, checks, and reconciles well-log and borehole records, identifying and resolving contradictions before data is passed to geologists.
- Remote Sensing and Aerial Photo Interpretation
- — Works with remote-sensing imagery and aerial photographs to support mapping and site characterization for the geoscience team.
- Environmental Impact Monitoring
- — Monitors the environmental effects of mining and exploration activity, adjusting monitoring points and frequency as site conditions change.
- Field Safety Compliance
- — Applies and enforces safety standards during fieldwork, from posted procedures at entry level to leading safe practice across a field campaign.
- Field Study Support and Coordination
- — Assists in designing and executing field studies — laying out sampling grids and traverses and sequencing tasks and equipment within the geoscientist's approach.
- Data QA/QC and Procedure Development
- — Reviews geoscience data for quality and, at senior levels, creates and documents sampling, calibration, and QA/QC procedures adopted as team standards.
- Technical Data Presentation Support
- — Prepares data tables, figures, and integrated data packages that help geologists interpret results and communicate findings to stakeholders.
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As of · 2026-07-30
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