Computer Scientist (EDGE).

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

USGS in Sioux Falls is seeking a scientist to lead the research, development, and application of AI/ML and geospatial analytics for national land-change monitoring using Earth observation data.

You will collaborate with internal and external scientists, translate research into operational tools, and disseminate results through seminars, reports, and conferences, advancing geospatial mapping solutions for land use and ecosystem change.

Qualifications

• Basic educational requirement: Bachelor's or higher in computer science OR with 30 semester hours in math, statistics, and CS; 15 hours in math/statistics with calculus.
• Specialized experience for GS-13: 1 year at GS-12 level with AI/ML, geospatial data applications, and translating science to computational tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D and application of AI/ML and geospatial analytics for national land-change monitoring.
• Collaborate with internal and external scientists, engineers, and stakeholders; transition research to production environments.
• Provide technical leadership for land-change monitoring projects at the USGS EROS Center.
• Disseminate research results via seminars, reports, and conferences.

Skills

AI/ML methods

Geospatial analytics

Collaboration

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or math/CS

Job description

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Leads the research, development, and application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and geospatial analytics methods to map, characterize, and monitor land cover, land use, and ecosystem change across the United States using multi-source Earth observation data.
• Collaborates and coordinates with internal and external scientists, engineers, and stakeholders. Transitions research and technical innovations into operational production environments, supporting the development and application of national-scale land-change monitoring solutions.
• Provides technical and scientific leadership in support of priority projects at the USGS EROS Center, advancing capabilities for land-change monitoring and decision support through the development of operationally relevant geospatial mapping solutions.
• Communicates with external partners and stakeholders, disseminating research and applications results and other information through participation in seminars and meetings, by publishing scientific and technical reports in the open literature, participating in professional meetings, symposia, and conferences, and participating in special task forces and study groups.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

Probationary Period

This Probationary Period Is An Extension Of The Appointment Process And Therefore Requires The Agency To Determine If Continued Employment Would Advance The Public Interest, Meet The Organization Goals And Mission Of The Agency, And/or Otherwise Promote The Efficiency Of The Service. In Determining If Your Employment Advances The Public Interest, The Agency Will Consider

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/30/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

You must include hours per week worked.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements

In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

• Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree in computer science OR a bachelor's or higher degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. You must submit transcripts.

-AND-

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: In addition to the basic education requirement stated above, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
• Applying advanced AI/ML methods-including deep learning, foundation models, computer vision, automated feature extraction, or related approaches-to scientific or geospatial problems.
• Conduct original research, develop and evaluate novel algorithms or analytical methods, and rigorously assess accuracy, uncertainty, scalability, and scientific validity.
• Use of AI/ML for Earth observation and geospatial data applications.
• Translate scientific or mission needs into computational solutions, evaluate emerging technologies and algorithms, and move research concepts toward usable products, tools, or operational capabilities.
• Lead and collaborate across disciplines and organizations, communicate complex science effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, publish scientific results, and influence programs, stakeholders, or decision-making.

Volunteer Experience

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position does not allow substituting education for experience.

This position has a mandatory education requirement.

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education

To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.

The full performance level for an EDGE position is GS-15; however, promotion eligibility is dependent upon the scientific contributions of the incumbent as evaluated by a peer panel.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit:

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

The duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.