Entry-Level Geologist/Geophysicist

About the Role

AECOM’s growing Water business is seeking a motivated Entry-Level Geologist/Geophysicist to join our Geotechnical and Geophysics Group in Germantown, Maryland. This position offers a unique combination of field investigation, technical analysis, and office-based project work. Team members participate in projects from field data collection through data processing, interpretation, mapping, and development of technical deliverables. The successful candidate will have opportunities to develop experience across multiple geophysical and geoscience disciplines while working alongside experienced geologists, geophysicists, engineers, surveyors, and GIS professionals.

The position is based in our Germantown, Maryland office and includes a combination of office and field assignments. Depending on project needs, up to approximately 50% travel may be required for field investigations, although the balance between field and office work will vary throughout the year. Field assignments may range from local day trips to occasional multi-week assignments throughout the United States and abroad. We place a high value on technical aptitude, curiosity, initiative, dependability, and a willingness to learn. The successful candidate should enjoy both solving technical problems in the office and being actively involved in collecting high-quality data in the field. This position is expected to begin as soon as possible.

Responsibilities

• Supporting geophysical investigations from field data acquisition through processing, interpretation, mapping, and reporting.
• Supporting terrestrial, marine, and borehole investigations using methods including seismic refraction/reflection, MASW, ground penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetics, magnetics, electrical resistivity imaging, utility mapping, borehole geophysical logging, downhole/crosshole seismic, bathymetric surveying, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiling, and marine magnetics and seismic.
• Performing technical office work including geophysical data processing and interpretation, GIS analysis and mapping, CAD development, data management, quality control, technical documentation, and report preparation.
• Participating in field investigations, including setup and operation of specialized geophysical and survey instrumentation, deployment of sensors and cables, operation of seismic sources, field data quality control, troubleshooting, and equipment mobilization.
• Supporting geodetic, geological, and geotechnical services including surveying, GIS mapping, geologic mapping, vibration and settlement monitoring, soil borings and rock coring.
• Learning to operate specialized geophysical, survey, and data-acquisition equipment and progressively developing the skills necessary to independently perform field and office assignments.
• Evaluating field data in real time and working with senior staff to identify and resolve equipment, data-quality, and site-condition issues.
• Maintaining organized field documentation and digital data and performing appropriate quality-control checks.
• Working collaboratively as part of multidisciplinary project teams and small field crews.
• Traveling up to approximately 50% as project needs require.
• Working under the supervision of a Project Manager or senior technical team member while progressively taking greater responsibility for technical assignments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geophysics, Geosciences, Geological Engineering, Environmental Science, Geography/GIS, or a related scientific or engineering discipline.
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License required for travel to project sites, client locations, and other AECOM offices. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must pass a Motor Vehicle Records review.
• Due to the nature of the work, U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to approximately 50% to support field investigations, including occasional multi-week assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to perform physically active field work outdoors, including prolonged standing and walking over uneven terrain, repeated bending and lifting, and lifting and carrying field equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Demonstrated interest in geology, geophysics, geosciences, surveying, GIS, engineering, or other applied sciences.
• Strong problem-solving skills and an ability to learn new equipment, software, and technical procedures.
• A hands-on mindset and willingness to participate fully in field assignments as part of a small project team.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to take ownership of assigned tasks and follow them through to completion.
• Hands-on experience through field courses, internships, surveying, construction, environmental field work, outdoor employment, research, military service, trades, or similar experience is beneficial.
• Strong mechanical or technical aptitude and an interest in understanding how specialized instrumentation works.
• Ability to balance physically active field assignments with detailed technical and analytical office work.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word.
• Familiarity with GIS, CAD, surveying, electronics, programming, data acquisition, or technical instrumentation is beneficial.
• Familiarity with software such as ArcGIS Pro, Surfer, EarthImager, SeisImager, RADAN, or AutoCAD is beneficial but not required.
• Advanced degree in a related discipline is beneficial but not required.

Benefits

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability benefits.
• Paid time off, leaves of absence, and flexible work options.
• Voluntary benefits and perks, including well-being resources and an employee assistance program.
• Business travel insurance and service recognition awards.
• Retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan.

Pay

Offered rate of compensation will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. The range for this position is $62,000 to $82,000 yearly.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position. Sponsorship for U.S. employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.