Freelance Geology Jobs
Geology is a field career, and it is almost impossible for a geologist working from home. However, like most careers working remotely as a geologist is not an exception. As most companies are now outsourcing office work from freelance geologists, there are numerous freelance geology jobs. The Covid19 pandemic made it impossible for most fieldwork activities to be conducted. The year 2020 was a report writing year for most geological consulting companies. It was a break from the field, quite unusual from the norm of most geologists.
Freelance geology jobs are those activities outsourced by companies from professionals other than their employees. Freelance geologists work not from home but make themselves available for hire on-demand basis.
Top six Freelance Geology Jobs Available Today
Although there are numerous categories of freelance geology jobs, here we evaluate the six most common careers.
1.     Academic Geology Consultant
An academic geology research job is probably one of the top freelance geology jobs on the internet. Many earth science students often find geology complex and require private tutors for extra lessons. In most cases, students need help in thesis and dissertation writing, especially when it comes to an understanding of the project details themselves. Anyone who has studied geology can agree that you need extra support or considerable time to complete the course successfully. Advanced academic researchers interested in publishing may require an academic geology consultant to proofread, Editing, paraphrasing and rewriting, formatting and structuring their manuscripts to the journal specifications.
2.     GIS Map Expert Freelance geology job
Producing maps using GIS is one of the most excellent freelance geology jobs. Every report produced by a geologist must always have a map, if not several maps showing different areas being investigated. With great and professional skills in geographic information system (GIS), one can help remote clients to produce maps. These clients often require to dedicate their time to details of their reporting and not GIS software. Some of the services offered by freelance geologists in map preparation include; digitizing, georeferencing topographic maps and remote sensing images, and drainage features. Other activities may be simple tasks that would otherwise be often time-consuming. Acquiring GIS software is no longer expensive. QGIS, for example, is free software that is as perfect as the conventional ArcGIS. Even ArcGIS Pro software is currently more affordable as $100 for an individual license if one has a special attachment to ArcMap.
3.     Geology Data Analyst
This is one of the most exciting and most fulfilling freelance geology jobs. Suppose one knows specific geology software and can afford to purchase a license and become a specialized geology data analyst. It can be geostatistical tools, geological modelling, GIS, geophysics or any field. Learning to use various software is not always hard. Learning new software is often like a driving lesson. Besides, there are many software training activities for geological software to acquire and build relevant skills. Consultants in geological fields like to work with remote geology experts to analyze data for two reasons; to save on software investment, especially on non-repetitive tasks, and to save on time. It is often time-consuming to analyze geological data. Consulting firms in geological fields require freelance geologists to deliver quality and accurate outputs to them.
4.     Technical Report WriterÂ
A professional freelance geologist can offer technical support in report writing services to consulting firms or individuals. It can be a mapping report and site characterization, groundwater investigation report, feasibility study report, mining report, environmental impact assessment, contaminated land assessment report, among many others.
These reports may require an actual site visit or technical support to a remote client following specific instructions. Either way, it is the most common activity for all geologists and one of the most prominent freelance geology jobs.
5.     Geology Software Trainer
Several geological software is used for remote sensing, general data processing, analysis interpretation, and visualization. To keep it simple, it involves teaching someone else how to use specific software. One can prepare comprehensive tutorials for this purpose and make them available for prospective trainees. The training can be through webinars, customized online short courses or in-person, provided you have even one trainee.
6.     Consultant Freelance Geologist
With over three years of professional experience, a geologist can work as a private consultant to conduct various field services for environmental site investigation and remediation activities, drilling supervision and logging activities, groundwater investigation studies, or supporting subcontractors in delivering various geological components of a project. Freelance geologists require to obtain a practising license from relevant in-country or international bodies to work as independent consultants.
Working as a freelance geologist implies working on other people´s tasks and an opportunity to act independently, delivering professional services in your best capacity.