Initial Posting Date:

12/22/2025

Application Deadline:

01/05/2026

Agency:

Department of Geology and Mineral Industries

Salary Range:

$6,123 - $9,409

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Energy Resource Geologist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

Job Description:

Now Hiring, Apply Today! - Energy Resource Geologist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

Compensation:

• Salary: $6,123 - $9,409 Monthly (based on education and experience)

• Differential:

  • Special Licensure: Those holding an Oregon Licensed Geologist certification* earn 5% above base rate

What You’ll Do

As the Energy Resource Geologist at the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), you will be the technical expert for a small statewide regulatory program responsible for the exploration and development of oil, gas and geothermal resources in the State of Oregon. You will perform permitting, inspection and enforcement functions, statutory and rule drafting, policy development, and federal and state regulatory agency coordination. Your expertise in petroleum geology, petroleum engineering or other field related to the development, operation and reclamation of exploration, hydrocarbon, hydrothermal / geothermal, and carbon sequestration drilling projects are essential to the program.

You’ll work collaboratively with permittees, applicants, county and state agencies and other technical and administrative DOGAMI staff resulting in complex, conditioned permits and reports that address multidisciplinary issues. You’ll conduct permit and site file review, field inspections and first-level enforcement to ensure drilling and related activities do not cause environmental degradation or adverse impacts to groundwater and adjacent or onsite natural resources.

For a full review of the position description, please click here.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications:

Three years of experience in petroleum, geothermal/hydrothermal, mineral resource or mining geology or closely related field. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND A Bachelor's degree in petroleum geology, petroleum engineering, hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering or closely related physical science or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.​

Equivalency Notes:

• A Master's degree in petroleum geology, petroleum engineering, hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering or closely related physical science or engineering field will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

• A Doctorate degree in petroleum geology, petroleum engineering, hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering or closely related physical science or engineering field will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

​

NOTE: If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, a photocopy of transcripts will be requested prior to hire.

Special Qualifications and Compensation Note:

*Professional Licensure: The successful candidate must have or obtain Oregon licensure as a Registered Geologist or equivalent professional licensure within one year from the date they are appointed. A 5% salary differential will be added to posted compensation for Licensure as a Registered Geologist.

The ideal candidate will possess the following desired skills and attributes:

• Demonstrated experience in well drilling techniques, regulations, policy development and interpretation and application of statute and rule.

• Demonstrated success and advanced knowledge of project management and project management principles, including coordinating projects among local, state, federal, and Tribal partners.

• Proven experience with well logging instrumentation, GIS software, database management, data analysis and interpretation.

• Proven experience working with and communicating (verbally and in writing) controversial and complex scientific information constructively and helpfully to technical and non-technical audiences, government agencies, scientific partners and collaborators, contractors, other interested parties, and the public.

• Skill writing clear and concise investigative, technical, or narrative reports that include analysis, and recommendations for complex regulatory determinations.

Application Details and Instructions

• Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application. Please ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attach a current copy of your resume and cover letter. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday account.

• This announcement is for one, full-time, exempt, permanent, Energy Resource Geologist (Natural Resource Specialist 4) position and may be used to fill future vacancies; Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification, or you may visit our website for information on the job offer process following pay equity.

• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it is not available for you to view after the job closes. If you have questions about the job announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, please contact the Recruiter, Nancy Karnas at: nancy.karnas@das.oregon.gov | 971-719-3083.

The Benefits of Joining Our Team

This team focuses closely on collaboration to support fellow teammates, while ensuring safety and looking for ways to innovate. Visit the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries website to learn more about us!

Additional benefits include:

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.

• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

• Get There - Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.

• Live, work, and play in Albany, Oregon.

• Offering hybrid work schedule! A hybrid work schedule is available after the onboarding process and integration to the organization has been completed. Terms of hybrid work and the work schedule will be discussed and agreed upon with the successful candidate and hiring manager.

Additional Details

• Employee is required to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the state where the employee resides.

• Finalists will be subject to a computerized criminal history check. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.

• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For more information, visit Veterans Resources.

• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

Helpful Links & Resources

Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage | How to Set Job Alerts

Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job