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1. Earth Scientist Salary Equity Chris Higgins, Senior Geologist (Specialist) with the California Geological Survey, which is part of the Department of Conservation. Worked with CGS as a geologist for 29 years.Chris Higgins, Senior Geologist (Specialist) with the California Geological Survey, which is part of the Department of Conservation. Worked with CGS as a geologist for 29 years.
2. “That is your annual salary?
I had no idea. I’m sorry.” Like to start with a quote that sets the tone for our discussion this morning. What we’re going to address in this brief discussion is salary inequity for state earth scientists, why it’s a problem, and how we can solve that problem. Like to start with a quote that sets the tone for our discussion this morning. What we’re going to address in this brief discussion is salary inequity for state earth scientists, why it’s a problem, and how we can solve that problem.
3. Geologist
Geochemist
Geophysicist
Meteorologist
Oceanographer
Petroleum Geologist
Seismologist Series Represented Clarify that the term “Earth scientist” is not a formal civil service category, but rather, we’re using it here to group several individual series and classes of scientists affected by salary inequity. Only about a dozen people total are occupying the classes, some of which have no occupants at this time.
In the examples we’ll be using today, we’re going to focus mainly on geologists and seismologists because they comprise most of the incumbents.Clarify that the term “Earth scientist” is not a formal civil service category, but rather, we’re using it here to group several individual series and classes of scientists affected by salary inequity. Only about a dozen people total are occupying the classes, some of which have no occupants at this time.
In the examples we’ll be using today, we’re going to focus mainly on geologists and seismologists because they comprise most of the incumbents.
4. Geologists Fundamentally trained to study Earth materials and its processes.
Education needed: Basic Bachelor’s; commonly have M.S. degrees and some with doctorates.
Focus in State service is on geologic hazards such as EQ, landslides, hazardous minerals (including NOA, mercury, radon) and on mineral and petroleum resources. Products mainly used in engineering geology and civil engineering applications by a wide variety of government agencies and consultants. Products are used in land-use planning and regulatory activities as state and local levels. Information developed by state geologists on the locations and quantities of mineral resources is also used to aid the State’s economy.
Multidisciplinary teamwork with other specialists particularly engineering geologists.
Purpose of work is to help conserve natural resources and to improve public safety. Geologists help save lives. We can also tell you where the gold is….so be nice to us.
Currently staff in CGS, DPR, EC, and SLC. Also, checking on OES.
In 2003, staff at CGS received the national John C. Frye Memorial Award from the Geological Society of America for a technical report on naturally occurring asbestos. This award is given annually for the best environmental geology paper published by either the GSA or one of the state geological surveys in the U.S.Fundamentally trained to study Earth materials and its processes.
Education needed: Basic Bachelor’s; commonly have M.S. degrees and some with doctorates.
Focus in State service is on geologic hazards such as EQ, landslides, hazardous minerals (including NOA, mercury, radon) and on mineral and petroleum resources. Products mainly used in engineering geology and civil engineering applications by a wide variety of government agencies and consultants. Products are used in land-use planning and regulatory activities as state and local levels. Information developed by state geologists on the locations and quantities of mineral resources is also used to aid the State’s economy.
Multidisciplinary teamwork with other specialists particularly engineering geologists.
Purpose of work is to help conserve natural resources and to improve public safety. Geologists help save lives. We can also tell you where the gold is….so be nice to us.
Currently staff in CGS, DPR, EC, and SLC. Also, checking on OES.
In 2003, staff at CGS received the national John C. Frye Memorial Award from the Geological Society of America for a technical report on naturally occurring asbestos. This award is given annually for the best environmental geology paper published by either the GSA or one of the state geological surveys in the U.S.
5. Seismologists Fundamentally trained to study earthquakes.
Education needed: Basic Bachelor’s; most in State service have doctorates.
Focus in State service is on documenting earthquakes and estimating effects of future effects of earthquakes. Products mainly used in engineering geology and civil engineering applications. Many are used in the structural design of buildings and bridges, or for estimating risk from from earthquake damage (map).
Multidisciplinary teamwork with other specialists particularly structural engineers and engineering geologists.
Purpose of work is to improve public safety. Seismologists help save lives.
Most seismologists work in CGS; DWR and Caltrans also have staff.
Why are these State seismologists and engineers smiling? This past April, they received a national award from the Applied Technology Council as one of the top seismic programs of the 20th century.Fundamentally trained to study earthquakes.
Education needed: Basic Bachelor’s; most in State service have doctorates.
Focus in State service is on documenting earthquakes and estimating effects of future effects of earthquakes. Products mainly used in engineering geology and civil engineering applications. Many are used in the structural design of buildings and bridges, or for estimating risk from from earthquake damage (map).
Multidisciplinary teamwork with other specialists particularly structural engineers and engineering geologists.
Purpose of work is to improve public safety. Seismologists help save lives.
Most seismologists work in CGS; DWR and Caltrans also have staff.
Why are these State seismologists and engineers smiling? This past April, they received a national award from the Applied Technology Council as one of the top seismic programs of the 20th century.
6. Salaries for earth scientist classes lag compared to equivalent classes outside and inside state government Problem of Salary Equity Problem all of the earth scientist classes are facing is that of lagging salaries compared to equivalent classes both outside and inside state government.Problem all of the earth scientist classes are facing is that of lagging salaries compared to equivalent classes both outside and inside state government.
7. Outside State Government
Federal Government
Private Industry
Inside State Government
Engineering-Geologist Series Salary Inequities at Two Levels Outside state government, we see salary lags for particular classes with both the federal government and private industry. Inside state government, we see a serious lag with the engineering geologist classes within individual state agencies. Let’s look at examples of these inequities: Outside state government, we see salary lags for particular classes with both the federal government and private industry. Inside state government, we see a serious lag with the engineering geologist classes within individual state agencies. Let’s look at examples of these inequities:
8. 2006 CAPS/DPA Salary Survey First, let’s look at the CAPS/DPA survey of the associate geologist class. Analysis in survey limited to this class compared to GS11 geologists at Federal agencies such as the USGS. Work of geologist classes in State service are probably most similar to those of federal agencies. Lag is 10.4% based on maximum state salary and the maximum federal salary averaged over three areas, which is $6,168. We would expect the salary inequities for seismologists, geophysicists, and geochemists are at least equal to if not greater than that shown here for geologists.First, let’s look at the CAPS/DPA survey of the associate geologist class. Analysis in survey limited to this class compared to GS11 geologists at Federal agencies such as the USGS. Work of geologist classes in State service are probably most similar to those of federal agencies. Lag is 10.4% based on maximum state salary and the maximum federal salary averaged over three areas, which is $6,168. We would expect the salary inequities for seismologists, geophysicists, and geochemists are at least equal to if not greater than that shown here for geologists.
9. State (Senior Geologist) vs. Federal (GS12) Moving beyond the CAPS/DPA survey, here we see a comparison of Senior Geologist (Specialist) class with the federal GS12 grade, which we consider to be the minimum equivalent grade. The approach taken here for analysis was the same as that used in the CAPS/DPA survey of using the average for federal salaries over three geographic areas. Notice that where we had a 10.4% lag at the Associate level, we have a 17% lag at the top step of each grade. Moving beyond the CAPS/DPA survey, here we see a comparison of Senior Geologist (Specialist) class with the federal GS12 grade, which we consider to be the minimum equivalent grade. The approach taken here for analysis was the same as that used in the CAPS/DPA survey of using the average for federal salaries over three geographic areas. Notice that where we had a 10.4% lag at the Associate level, we have a 17% lag at the top step of each grade.
10. State (Petroleum Geologist) vs. Private (6-9 yrs) Look at a comparison of the state’s Petroleum Geologist class with oil companies for professionals with 6-9 years experience. The oil company figures are from an annual survey done by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Wide discrepancy with petroleum geologists in private industry, especially when we look at average salaries for professionals with many years of experience. State benefits for longer-term employees don’t make up the difference in salary.Look at a comparison of the state’s Petroleum Geologist class with oil companies for professionals with 6-9 years experience. The oil company figures are from an annual survey done by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Wide discrepancy with petroleum geologists in private industry, especially when we look at average salaries for professionals with many years of experience. State benefits for longer-term employees don’t make up the difference in salary.
11. Senior Geologist/Oceanographer vs. SEG Moving to inequity within state government, there is the issue of unequal pay for equal work. We have an example in CGS of SG and SEG specialists who both have same educational background, professional certification, work experience, and work in same program doing the same type of projects. You will hear similar examples in other presentations later today and tomorrow. We see a lag of 10% for current top step salaries. This discrepancy will increase to 19% for Senior Geologists if the negotiated Unit 9 salary increase goes into effect on July 1. We’ve also compared the oceanographer class and see that the lag there 9% for the top step. Moving to inequity within state government, there is the issue of unequal pay for equal work. We have an example in CGS of SG and SEG specialists who both have same educational background, professional certification, work experience, and work in same program doing the same type of projects. You will hear similar examples in other presentations later today and tomorrow. We see a lag of 10% for current top step salaries. This discrepancy will increase to 19% for Senior Geologists if the negotiated Unit 9 salary increase goes into effect on July 1. We’ve also compared the oceanographer class and see that the lag there 9% for the top step.
12. Senior Geologist vs. Engineering Geologist Finally, an even more serious problem is that unless salaries are increased for senior-level geologists, journey-level engineering geologists will be making higher salaries on July 1 assuming that they are granted their negotiated pay increase through the Unit 9 bargaining agreement.Finally, an even more serious problem is that unless salaries are increased for senior-level geologists, journey-level engineering geologists will be making higher salaries on July 1 assuming that they are granted their negotiated pay increase through the Unit 9 bargaining agreement.
13. Retention of Seismologists (loss of staff)
Recruitment of Seismologists (weak pool)
Recruitment of Earth Scientists (retirements)
Productivity (“psychic reward” reaches its limit)
Unequal pay for equal work (Senior Geologist)
Inverted pay (Senior Geologist < Journey EG)
Effects of Salary Inequity What are the current and potential effects of these salary inequities?
Over the last several years, several top-notch seismologists have left State service because of salary lags. Most moved to the USGS, which has higher salaries for equivalent backgrounds and responsibilities.
Although the CGS has been able to fill its last vacancy for associate seismologist, the list had only four candidates. The managers responsible for hiring were, in general, disappointed the background and qualifications of the candidates.
As with many occupations, the earth scientist classes are top-heavy with staff near retirement. Hiring of replacement staff will be more competitive in both government and private industry. Lag in salaries offered by the State will make it less attractive for the best candidates in the employment pool. Also, there is a need to keep the earth scientist classes available as a recruiting tool to fill positions that do not come under the engineering geologist classes.
Lower salaries eventually affect morale to the point that productivity of scientific staff declines. Recall Jerry Brown’s use of the term “psychic reward” to describe a type of “compensation” that made up for low salaries earned by teachers. After almost 30 years of working with other scientists, I’ve been impressed with the dedication of these professionals to their work. We also get “psychic rewards” from our work. But these no longer fully compensate for discrepancies in salary among our peers.
Recall the individual example regarding unequal pay for equal work, where we have in CGS a Senior Geologist making about $650 less per month than a Senior Engineering Geologist. Both have the same educational background, professional certification, longevity in State service, work in the same fault hazards program, and work on the same tasks.
Recall the group example regarding how overall morale is being adversely affected, where we have the top-step journey-level engineering geologist potentially making about $250 more per month than the top-step senior-level geologist come July 1.
What are the current and potential effects of these salary inequities?
Over the last several years, several top-notch seismologists have left State service because of salary lags. Most moved to the USGS, which has higher salaries for equivalent backgrounds and responsibilities.
Although the CGS has been able to fill its last vacancy for associate seismologist, the list had only four candidates. The managers responsible for hiring were, in general, disappointed the background and qualifications of the candidates.
As with many occupations, the earth scientist classes are top-heavy with staff near retirement. Hiring of replacement staff will be more competitive in both government and private industry. Lag in salaries offered by the State will make it less attractive for the best candidates in the employment pool. Also, there is a need to keep the earth scientist classes available as a recruiting tool to fill positions that do not come under the engineering geologist classes.
Lower salaries eventually affect morale to the point that productivity of scientific staff declines. Recall Jerry Brown’s use of the term “psychic reward” to describe a type of “compensation” that made up for low salaries earned by teachers. After almost 30 years of working with other scientists, I’ve been impressed with the dedication of these professionals to their work. We also get “psychic rewards” from our work. But these no longer fully compensate for discrepancies in salary among our peers.
Recall the individual example regarding unequal pay for equal work, where we have in CGS a Senior Geologist making about $650 less per month than a Senior Engineering Geologist. Both have the same educational background, professional certification, longevity in State service, work in the same fault hazards program, and work on the same tasks.
Recall the group example regarding how overall morale is being adversely affected, where we have the top-step journey-level engineering geologist potentially making about $250 more per month than the top-step senior-level geologist come July 1.
14. Immediate salary parity between State earth-scientist classes and equivalent federal earth-scientist classes
Salary parity between Unit 10 earth- scientist classes and equivalent Unit 9 engineering-geologist classes
Solution
15. Equal pay for equal work
Improve long-term retention
Improve recruitment in future
Improve morale and thus productivity
Justification for Salary Parity 1) As with any employees, Earth scientists must be compensated as fairly as possible.
2) If, for the long term, you want to retain your best Earth scientists and their institutional knowledge, pay them fairly.
3) If, in the future, you want to have young high-quality earth scientists work for the State, entice them with competitive salaries.
4) Keep morale from dropping. 1) As with any employees, Earth scientists must be compensated as fairly as possible.
2) If, for the long term, you want to retain your best Earth scientists and their institutional knowledge, pay them fairly.
3) If, in the future, you want to have young high-quality earth scientists work for the State, entice them with competitive salaries.
4) Keep morale from dropping.
16. All of these things can help earth scientists in State service meet their primary responsibility, which is to make life better and safer for the citizens of California.All of these things can help earth scientists in State service meet their primary responsibility, which is to make life better and safer for the citizens of California.
