Senior Geologist (Senior Scientist)

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.   

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

This position will report to the Data and Diagnostics Manager. The Senior Geologist provides advanced geological expertise to support the collection, analysis, interpretation, and quality assurance of subsurface and operational Data. 

Key Responsibilities

• Function as Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the Data & Diagnostics Group, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Directorate.

• Support programs and projects by planning and executing drilling projects, geologic modeling, geophysical well log evaluation and analysis, and subsurface geologic characterization, including underground geologic mapping and logging of drill core and cuttings. 

• Lead Geoscience teams on geology projects: Oversee well-site geologic support activities during drilling operations. Oversee surface and underground geologic mapping and sampling projects. 

• Oversee borehole geophysical logging operations, including work planning and field coordination. Assist in procurement and management of geophysical logging services subcontracts.

• Draft technical reports, presentations, and publications. Present results of geologic/geophysical investigations in papers, project meetings, and conferences. Prepare and defend proposals for additional geologic work.

• Assist in developing and managing project-specific relational databases of drill hole information, including construction data, geologic data, geophysical log data, and sample data.

• Bachelor's degree in a calculus-based technical (STEM) field plus at least 5 years relevant experience. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.

• Bachelor's degree in a geosciences discipline preferred. 

• Master of Science or Doctorate degree in a geoscience discipline preferred.

• Experience planning and leading drilling operations for exploration preferred, including experience with borehole design and familiarity with regulatory requirements.

• Experience in borehole geophysical log interpretation preferred.

• Experience in development/management of geologic framework models preferred. Experience with EarthVision or Datamine preferred.

• Knowledge and experience in developing relational databases (e.g., AcQuire, FusionX) is preferred. 

• Working knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint, ArcGIS, and AutoDesk preferred.

• Ability to execute work in a disciplined manner to demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures.

• Ability to prioritize and schedule multiple activities in the most efficient manner and meet required deadlines.

• Be team-oriented with good communication skills. Able to work closely with a diverse group of scientists and engineers.

• Ability to builds teaming relationships with technical and other company organizations.

• Executes work in a disciplined manner to demonstrate compliance with laws, codes, orders, and MSTS policies and procedures.

• The primary work location will be at the Nevada National Security Site (located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada).

• Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday (subject to change).

• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $101,524.80 - $152,297.60.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.