Geologist

Job Description

Position Title: Engineering Geologist

Reports To: Project Manager / In-Charge

Location: Tunnel Construction Site (Full-time), Sankhuwasabha

Salary: Negotiable based on candidate experience

Purpose of the Role:

To provide geological expertise and oversight during tunnel construction, ensuring safe and efficient excavation, support design, and compliance with geological and geotechnical requirements. The Engineering Geologist assesses ground conditions, identifies geological risks, and ensures construction aligns with approved designs, safety standards, and contractual obligations.

Key Responsibilities:

Geological and Geotechnical Assessment

• Conduct detailed geological mapping and logging of tunnel faces, preparing as built drawings, identifying rock types, structures, and discontinuities.

o   Provide real-time geological data to assess stability, rock mass quality, and potential geological hazards (e.g., faults, water ingress, weak zones) to optimize excavation methods and support systems, ensuring alignment with approved designs and Bill of Quantities (BOQ).

• Update geological records to verify claims for variations or unforeseen ground conditions.

Excavation and Support System Monitoring

• Supervise and direct tunnel excavation activities to ensure compliance with approved designs, geotechnical specifications, and instructions.
• Recommend and oversee the installation of support systems (e.g., rock bolts, shotcrete, steel ribs etc) based on observed geological conditions, minimizing costs while ensuring safety.
• Propose cost-effective adjustments to excavation or support methods to address geological challenges, coordinating with the client’s Engineer.

Risk Identification and Mitigation

• Identify geological risks (e.g., rock falls, water inflow, weak zones) and implement mitigation measures to maintain project progress and worker safety.
• Prepare risk assessment reports, justifying the actions or delays due to adverse ground conditions.
• Enforce strict safety protocols on-site for worker safety in tunnel.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Prepare construction planning and ensure that construction materials and methods meet technical specifications and quality standards, performing hands-on checks as needed.
• Ensure compliance with the Quality Assurance Plan (QAP), coordinating with QC team and facilitate for geotechnical testing and securing approvals.
• Address resolve non-conformance reports implementing corrective actions promptly to avoid penalties or delays ensuring compliance with contract terms.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain detailed records of geological observations, test results, and support installations in daily geological logs.
• Prepare and submit daily, weekly and monthly progress reports to the Project Manager and Tunnel Engineer-in-Charge.
• Prepare technical reports and justifications for variations, extension of time requests, or additional claims due to unforeseen geological conditions. 
• Document variations in ground conditions and provide technical justification for claims or design changes.
• Assist in preparing measurement sheets and running account (RA) bills, ensuring accurate documentation for certification.

Coordination and Communication

• Liaise with the tunnel design team and site team to ensure geological data informs construction decisions.
• Participate in site meetings to discuss progress, geological findings, progress, and challenges.
• Maintain site dairies, correspondent records and reports. 

NB. The above list of duties is neither exclusive nor exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to undertake other duties commensurate with the responsibility level of this post, as directed by the Project Manager or his/her representative.

Qualifications: Qualifications:

·       Academic Qualifications

o   Bachelor’s Degree in Geology/ Engineering Geology/ Applied Geology

o   Master’s Degree (M.Sc./M.Tech) in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, or Rock Mechanics

·       Professional Experience

o   5-10 years in tunneling or underground works for mid-level

o   10+ years for senior geologist

·       Skills

o   RMR/Q classification experience

o   Experience with fault/squeeze zones

o   Geophysical test interpretation

o   Decision making (support designs)

o   Report writing