Job Description

Review of applications will begin May 12, 2025.

The Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) is seeking a Director, who also serves as the Delaware State Geologist. The DGS is a highly regarded research and service unit of the University of Delaware. As a statutory, non-regulatory university-based state agency (Delaware Code, Title 7, Chapter 55), the DGS plays a unique role in the application of high-quality science to public needs and issues related to geology, water resources, natural hazards, geospatial data, and data delivery. The DGS Director provides scientific leadership for the survey, manages the survey's business, fiscal, and personnel matters, and interacts with government officials, the scientific community, and the public. The Director is responsible for developing and managing the survey’s budget, providing written and oral testimony to state officials related to agency appropriations, and for seeking additional funding through grants and collaborative relationships with other agencies and institutions. The Director has a significant influence on statewide policy issues of a geological nature, participating in high-level legislative and policy processes and advising state regulatory agencies.

We seek an energetic and visionary Director with a record of scientific accomplishment, strong management and interpersonal skills, a vision for application of geoscience to public needs, and the ability to effectively communicate about science with a variety of constituencies. Applicants should have a record of expertise on earth and water resource issues relevant to societal needs. The successful candidate should possess the ability to independently lead an organization with minimal supervision and demonstrate the vision and initiative necessary to enhance innovative research and service programs. We seek candidates with demonstrated leadership ability who can effectively and collegially manage personnel in a small, team-oriented department. Strong administrative skills are essential and ideally include experience in managing business and fiscal matters and the ability to effectively coordinate budget and strategic plan development. Qualified candidates from government, academic, and industry backgrounds who appreciate and can promote the value of DGS programs are encouraged to apply. Policy experience at the state or federal levels is desirable.

The position of Director and State Geologist is a 12-month appointment supported by state and university funds. The expected workload is 85% administration with the remaining 15% workload to contribute meaningfully to the research and service mission of the department. The primary responsibilities of the job will be to 1) manage the overall operations of DGS, including leading a team of research scientists and technical and administrative support staff, and hiring of new staff; 2) guide, contribute to, and facilitate new opportunities in research related to the geology, water resources, natural hazards, and geospatial framework of Delaware; 3) facilitate and enhance external funding opportunities for research and service programs in the above areas and oversee geology- and hydrology-related cooperative programs with counterpart federal agencies; 4) serve as a public advocate for the application of earth, water, and spatial science to stakeholder needs, both through interfacing with state, federal, and local government agencies and officials as well as by outreach and effective media engagements; 5) represent Delaware’s interests in interstate water management decision-making and negotiations. The position could also involve occasionally teaching courses in the applicant’s area of expertise and advising graduate students.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in the geosciences (exceptional candidates with a master's degree may be considered);
• A minimum of ten years of post-graduate professional experience in the geosciences;
• A minimum of three years of administrative experience, which should include strategic planning, budgeting, personnel management, project oversight, and program development;
• National recognition in a field of geoscience research, as demonstrated by a strong record of refereed publications, external funding, professional service, scientific leadership, and other credentials suitable for a joint appointment as a Full Professor or Associate Professor in an academic department within the University of Delaware;
• Record of obtaining and managing external financial support for research and service programs obtained through competitive and merit-based processes;
• Demonstrated success as a manager and leader, building a positive and inclusive workplace culture;
• Ability to work with a wide constituency of partners, developing and maintaining effective collaborations and partnerships, and serving as a skilled liaison between and among different groups;
• Excellence in oral and written communication, as demonstrated by professional publications, presentations, and communications interactions with both scientific and non-technical audiences;

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Administrative experience as described above, within a university setting;
• A professional background in government, industry, and academia;
• Experience with public-policy issues and in delivery of public-service-directed science;
• Preparation of agency budgets, and preparing oral and written testimony for public hearings conducted by both executive and legislative budget committees;
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing a strategic plan and leadership vision for a unit or organization, and evaluating a unit’s impact and success;
• Service on state, national, and international committees and in professional societies;
• Knowledge of stratigraphic geology, geologic mapping, hydrogeology, and/or watershed management;
• Professional geologist license in the State of Delaware or the qualifications to apply for licensure by reciprocity or by ASBOG examination.

The DGS is located in its own modern, well-equipped building on the University of Delaware campus in Newark, Delaware. The Survey receives an annual direct state appropriation (currently $2.5 million) and employs a permanent full-time staff of 20 scientists and support staff. In its role as a research and service organization in geoscience and water resources, the DGS has productive interaction with other highly regarded natural-resource-related programs at the University of Delaware as well as with state and federal agencies, community and business organizations, and the general public. The State Geologist is given a half-time faculty appointment in the Department of Earth Sciences and several of the DGS staff scientists have secondary appointments as faculty members and significant involvement with graduate and undergraduate student research. More information on the DGS is available at http://www.dgs.udel.edu/.

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