Geologist.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Falmouth (MA); À distance; USD 70 000 - 110 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

U.S. Geological Survey is seeking a geologist to collect, analyze, and interpret marine geological and geophysical data.

You will use seafloor and sub-seafloor mapping technologies, including seismic-reflection data, to support detailed investigations and integrate various data sources for comprehensive analyses. You will contribute to technical reports and present findings to professional audiences, with probationary periods and requirements typical of federal appointments.

Qualifications

• Degree in geology with additional coursework in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or related earth sciences (transcripts required).
• Combination of education and experience may be acceptable per the vacancy.
• Applicants must meet the required education and specialized experience criteria.

Responsabilités

• Collect, analyze, and interpret marine geological and geophysical data.
• Use seafloor and sub-seafloor mapping technologies to collect data.
• Prepare or lead technical reports and present findings to audiences.

Connaissances

Data analysis

Seismic interpretation

Interpretation of geophysical data

Formation

Geology degree + 20 sem hrs math/physics/chemistry/earth sciences

Outils

Kingdom Suite

Reveal

GIS

Description du poste

Duties

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

• Collect, analyze, and interpret marine geological and geophysical data (including seismic-reflection data) to support detailed investigations.
• Use a variety of seafloor and sub-seafloor mapping technologies and methods to collect and analyze geologic and geophysical data, including seismic-reflection data.
• Use geological and geophysical processing, interpretation and data integration software, such as Kingdom Suite, Reveal, GIS, to evaluate marine and coastal geologic scientific projects.
• Analyzes and interprets geological and geophysical data and independently carries out detailed investigations.
• Prepares or leads technically or scientific authoritative reports and publications and deliver presentations to professional audiences.

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

Salary

GS‑09: $69,905 (Step 1) – $90,882 (Step 10)

GS‑11: $84,579 (Step 1) – $109,959 (Step 10)

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

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
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You must pass a physical examination.
• 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.

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 – 11/06/2026 – 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.

Basic Educational Requirements

• A. Degree: geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography. You must submit transcripts.

-OR-

• B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• AND-

To qualify for this position at the GS‑09 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: performing a range of observations, calculations, data compilations, and analyses to support higher‑level Geologists; following established procedures or detailed instructions; applying basic geological principles with some judgment; and demonstrating a solid working knowledge of geological theories and concepts. Preferred Experience: Demonstrated familiarity conducting marine 2D seismic‑reflection surveys aboard research vessels, processing and analyzing seismic data, integrating geophysical and geologic datasets, and preparing technical products and reports. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

• Education: Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or master’s or equivalent graduate degree. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

• Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education as described above that is beyond the first year of graduate study; first take total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Then take the number of months of full‑time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS‑11 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as independently completing a well‑defined study or part of a larger project; planning and carrying out routine geologic work; making minor adjustments to established procedures; resolving unexpected issues during typical work; and applying solid geological principles to moderately complex scientific tasks. Preferred Experience: Demonstrated familiarity processing and interpreting marine 2D seismic‑reflection data using specialized geophysical software, integrating seismic data with bathymetric, geologic, and oceanographic datasets, and independently managing project workflows, schedules, and deliverables. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

• Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

• Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education as described above that is beyond the second year of graduate study; first take total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Then take the number of months of full‑time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

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 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.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

During emergency response periods, training of personnel on new equipment, or field work, the scientist may be expected to hike distances of several kilometers over uneven terrain while carrying equipment. Field work may require working in remote field sites with limited to no services. Field work may require the use of proper personal protective gear, working in dusty, hot, humid, and extreme cold environments, occasional off‑road driving of 4‑wheel drive vehicles, traveling to remote field sites in helicopters or small fixed wing planes, and/or boats. Lifting of equipment and objects weighing up to 50 pounds may be necessary.

Field work may involve encounters with dangerous fauna and flora, and other wilderness dangers. International field work may be conducted in culturally hostile areas. Geology position with duties that involve subsurface investigation require geologists to work near drill rigs and heavy equipment. Geology positions with duties that involve construction support require geologists to work near heavy equipment and construction hazards. Some work is carried out in proximity to explosives.

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 and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

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.