GEOLOGIST

US Geological Survey; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

US Geological Survey in Reston, VA seeks a geologist at GS-13 to provide expert consultation and coordinate in subdisciplines of geology. You will represent an authoritative source for scientists and program specialists and lead geologic studies.

This role requires travel up to 1-2 nights per month and a strong background in planning, executing, and reporting on geologic studies. Starting salary ranges from $121,785 to $158,322 per year, with federal government benefits.

Qualifications

• Degree: geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in 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.
• Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• Specialized Experience Requirement: at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, planning, executing and reporting on original geologic studies, with extensive knowledge and independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute and report on original geologic studies and ongoing geologic projects.
• Provide expert consultation and coordination across geology subdisciplines for scientists and program specialists.

Skills

Geology expertise

Field work planning

Data analysis

Education

Geology degree

20 semester hours in math/physics/chemistry/engineering/CS

Job description

You will serve as a GEOLOGIST who represents an authoritative source for consultation for other scientists and program specialist and provides expertise and coordination in one or more subdisciplines of geology.

You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 1-2 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

Salary:
GS-13: $121,785 (step 1) - $158,322 (step 10)
First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/13/2026-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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

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-13 grade level

• Specialized Experience Requirement: 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: Examples of such experience could include planning, executing and reporting on original geologic studies or ongoing geologic studies requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems. The complexity of this work typically required extensive modification and adaptation of standard procedures, methods, and techniques, and the development of totally new methods and techniques to address novel or obscure problems for which guidelines or precedents were not substantially applicable. At this level, Geologists have extensive knowledge of the principles of geology and highly developed ability in their application, and wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility. You must include hours per week worked

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.