Director of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology and Montana State Geologist

About the role

The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) is a non-regulatory state agency within Montana Technological University. It provides extensive advisory, technical, and informational services on Montana's geologic, mineral, energy, and water resources. The MBMG is involved in studies of environmental impacts caused by past mining practices and current agricultural and industrial activities.

Primary Duties

• Serves as the Director of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) and as the Montana State Geologist.
• Oversees and develops MBMG programs related to collecting and disseminating information about Montana's geologic, groundwater, energy, and mineral resources.
• Develops and manages programs in groundwater resource evaluation, geologic mapping, environmental hydrogeology, mineral and energy resource evaluation, data preservation, geologic hazard evaluation, and earthquake studies.
• Maintains the state's finest mineral museum and serves as the state repository for water-well logs, groundwater data, and mineral information.
• Maintains organic and inorganic analytical laboratories, a mineral separation laboratory, and active GIS and Information Services divisions.
• Fosters collaborations with Montana Tech administration, faculty and students, and other stakeholders to advance the mission of the MBMG.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate and at least 10 years of closely related geoscience experience, or Master’s and 13 years of closely related geoscience experience.
• Demonstrated administrative experience in budgeting, project management, personnel management, and program development.
• Experience addressing public-policy issues as demonstrated in publications and interactions with governmental and non-governmental groups.
• Must be either a certified professional geologist or registered engineer (or possess an equivalent professional registration) at the time of appointment (or within 3 years of appointment).
• Excellent communication skills with both scientific and public audiences.

Prior to Appointment

• Must be able to obtain financial support for research programs.
• Knowledge of Montana geology and the impact of natural resource development on the state's economy.
• Knowledge of state, regional, and national-policy issues related to natural resource development, and the ability to balance industry/developer and environmental/conservation concerns.
• Experience with outreach programs that communicate technical geoscience information to the general public.
• Service on state, national, and/or international committees; membership/leadership in state or national professional associations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to work within a university setting to foster collaborations with: Montana Tech administration, faculty and students, and Montana University System graduate schools; State and Federal agency personnel; State and Federal elected officials; a wide range of natural-resource industries and environmental groups; and the general public.
• Supervisory experience with a professional staff.
• Geoscience research experience as demonstrated by a record of publications, professional service, and/or scientific leadership.
• Proven capacity to think strategically, build consensus, and effectively communicate scientific findings to a wide range of audiences, including policymakers and the public.
• Knowledge of Montana geology and the impact of natural resource development on the state's economy.
• Knowledge of state, regional, and national-policy issues related to natural resource development, and the ability to balance industry/developer and environmental/conservation concerns.
• Experience with outreach programs that communicate technical geoscience information to the general public.
• Service on state, national, and/or international committees; membership/leadership in state or national professional associations.

Application Requirements

• Submit a cover letter that specifically addresses the qualifications mentioned above.
• Resume.
• Name and contact information for three professional references.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Montana Tech is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University's mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.