What Does A Graduate Engineering Geologist Do?

Over the next few months, we’d like to introduce you to some of our newer staff members and what they’re doing at ERS.

Today we’ll start with Dan Kirchin who joined ERS’ Site Investigation team last year. Dan has really settled well into his role at ERS and his cheery nature has made him a popular member of the team and a welcome presence when he’s working at the Glasgow office.

Hi Dan, tell us about your role at ERS and what does a typical day look like?

I'm a Graduate Engineering Geologist in the SI (Site Investigation) Team at ERS. My job is mainly site-based and takes me all over the UK. A project can take anywhere between an hour or two and a few weeks. A typical task would be putting soil into sample jars and technically logging the soil encountered. We sometimes work on our own and sometimes in small groups.

I have worked with a variety of machines including excavators from small JCBs to 20- ton tracked machines and drilling rigs from small windowless samplers to industrial sonic drilling rigs. Conveniently for this job, I really like to spend time outdoors (especially when it isn't sideways rain!). The job involves a good bit of staying away from home, meaning I get to see all ends of the country, and it can be good fun going for some well-earned beers in the evenings with your workmates. 

How did you get into the remediation industry?

To be honest, I landed in this industry by chance. After I finished my Environmental Science degree I was in search of a graduate job and was fortunate enough to be given this opportunity by ERS. I've enjoyed getting to grips with the wide variety of jobs that this industry entails by nature. 

And what is the most interesting ERS project you've worked on to date and why?

All projects are interesting in their different ways, but a standout one was my first proper project out on site. It was a job taking samples and logging cores from sonic drilling. Some of the soil we encountered was so contaminated it looked like it was glowing bright green. Since it was my first project, all of the PPE required was all quite a novelty, and I enjoyed the opportunity to get to grips with such a wide range of soil and contamination types. 

We can only imagine what part of south Glasgow that soil came from 😉 But the best way for our graduates to learn is to get hands on! (with plenty of PPE, that is).

Thanks for sharing your ERS journey so far Dan and we look forward to doing many more brightly coloured contaminated land site investigations with you in the future!