Roles and responsibilities: Geologists
Engineering geologists
General areas of responsibility
A practicing engineering geologist:
- Works in all project phases from planning through location, design, construction, and maintenance.
- Specializes in:
- Evaluating geologic site characteristics to determine the responses of geologic processes and materials to development activities, such as removal of vegetation, site grading, buildings, and civil works.
- Construction activities such as earthwork.
- Applying loads in foundations and embankments.
- Use of earth materials in construction.
Design area | Subjects addressed by engineering geologists |
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Pre-construction |
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Construction |
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Post-construction |
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Hydrogeologists
General areas of responsibility
A practicing hydrogeologist:
- Specializes in the study and analysis of ground water and other fluids as they move within the geologic environment.
- Works in:
- Ground water well design, construction supervision, and testing
- Remediation of soil and ground water at contaminated sites
- Impact analysis of proposed manmade structures on the environment as they may relate to water.
- Modification of ground water flow.
Design area | Subjects addressed by hydrogeologists |
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Pre-construction |
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Construction |
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Post-construction |
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Definitions
State law requires anyone offering services to the public as an Engineering Geologist or a Hydrogeologist to have a specialist license. Most geologic services related to buildings, structures, or civil works fall within the realm of these 2 geologist specialties.
- Geologist defined: RCW 18.220.010 (6)
- Practice of geology defined: RCW 18.220.010 (11)
- Engineering geologist defined: RCW 18.220.010 (4)
- Practice of engineering geology defined: RCW 18.220.010 (4)
- Hydrogeologist defined: WAC 308-15-053 (2)(a)
- Practice of hydrogeology defined: RCW 18.220.010 (13)
Questions? Need help?
Email us: DFCcompliance@dol.wa.gov