Would You Take This Job? Geologist-In-Training

Geologist-In-Training
Employer: Stantec
Location: Portland, OR (may work in OR or WA offices; fieldwork expected)
Pay: $80,000 / year
Type: Full-time / Part-time — Geology / Geotechnical

What You’ll Do:
• Conduct materials testing and inspection services during construction (field and lab).
• Perform geologic and geohazard field reconnaissance and slope stability evaluations.
• Assist senior staff with geotechnical investigations, including field exploration and office analysis.
• Support preparation of technical proposals, reports, and geologic analyses.
• Participate in on-site review of construction activities and geotechnical laboratory testing.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on projects (infrastructure, mining, pipelines, renewable energy).

Why It Stands Out:
• Work for a global, sustainability-focused firm with multidisciplinary teams and career mobility.
• Broad project exposure — engineering geology, geohazards, slope mitigation, materials testing, and renewable energy projects.
• Robust benefits and professional development support (tuition reimbursement, professional membership coverage).

Potential Trade-offs:
• Fieldwork exposes you to variable weather and physical conditions; some projects require travel.
• Role may require flexible hours and occasional site visits beyond standard office days.
• Geologist-in-Training registration / licensure progression expected — career advancement depends on gaining field experience and exams.
• Some positions may be temporary/casual or vary in benefits depending on role classification or union status.

Qualifications / Requirements:
• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Geology or Engineering Geology (Master’s preferred).
• US GIT registration required.
• ~1 year of geology/engineering geology experience preferred (site investigations, geohazards, slope evaluations).
• Good driving record and valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work in the field and office; comfortable with lab testing and data analysis.
• Strong initiative, ability to work with minimal supervision, and good communication skills.

Perks / Benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision plans; wellness programs and retirement (401[k]).
• Paid holidays (10) and vacation accrual (10–20 days/year depending on tenure).
• Tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage, and potential bonus eligibility for some roles.
• Employee stock purchase program, short/long-term disability, and paid family leave.

Here is the link to view more job details or apply.

Would you take this job?

If you were applying, what would be your top three non-negotiables: (A) confirmed base salary + clear information on bonus/eligibility and pay progression toward PG licensure, (B) clarity on field vs. office schedule + travel/mileage reimbursement and safety/PPE support, or (C) structured mentorship, supervision plan, and paid support for professional development (exam prep, licensure fees)? Which would you pick and why — and what would you ask the hiring manager before accepting (for example: “What percentage of time is fieldwork vs. office work annually?”, “Who will supervise my technical work and how often will I receive mentorship?”, “Is there mileage/vehicle policy for field travel and are lab fees covered?”)?

At $80k in Portland, it pencils out if they pay OT and per diem for those ‘fieldwork expected’ weeks; my GIT stint in WA ran 60–70 hr weeks and the OT made the job. Get your 40-hr HAZWOPER before day one so you can jump on more sites: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.120. Caveat: winter slope stability recon in the Gorge is brutal — ask about rain gear stipend and mileage.

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Did a GIT stint out of Portland; the difference-maker wasn’t salary but paid portal-to-portal drive time and rain-out/standby hours when sites shut down. Ask: “Is drive time paid portal-to-portal?” and “Do you cover HAZWOPER renewals and a boot/PPE stipend?” If they do and you get a truck or mileage, $80k works; if not, those coast runs can turn your weekend into metamorphic grade.

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Piggybacking on @gabriel94: if your ‘fieldwork expected’ puts you on WSDOT/public jobs, check whether those hours are at WA prevailing wage — my Portland GIT year went from 80k base to some six-figure months when that kicked in. Also ask if they provide a truck or pay IRS mileage on those long slope-stability runs; small detail, big difference.

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Quiet tip: ask if they pay for your ASBOG FG/GIT and 40-hr HAZWOPER up front, plus ACI for the ‘materials testing’ piece — my raise kicked in the month those cleared. If Stantec covers exam fees, paid study time, and travel to the test site (OSBGE info: Oregon State Board of Geologist Examiners : Oregon Board of Geologist Examiners : State of Oregon), that’s worth more than quibbling over a couple grand.

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