Geologist (Coal)

US Geological Survey; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

US Geological Survey, based in the Rocky Mountain Region, is seeking a Geologist (Coal) at GS-12/13 level. The role focuses on coal geology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, and coal-quality assessments.

You will build and query geologic databases and apply modeling software to support coal resource evaluations in the Central Energy Resources Science Center. Qualified candidates will collaborate with teams, present findings, and contribute to publications and conferences.

Qualifications

• Basic Educational Requirements: Geology degree plus 20 semester hours in math/physics/chemistry/earth sciences, etc.
• Combination of education and experience meeting the above educational requirements.
• Specialized experience required at GS-12/13 level as listed in the vacancy.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in applying stratigraphy and sedimentology to coal geology and correlate coal beds.
• Build, refine, and query geologic databases for coal resource assessments.
• Utilize geologic modeling and CAD-based software under supervision.
• Apply coal quality knowledge to analyze coal-resource assessments.
• Present assessment results through publications and professional meetings.

Skills

Coal geology

Stratigraphy & sedimentology

Geologic databases

Geologic modeling CAD

Coal quality analysis

Oral/written presentations

Education

Geology degree + 20 semester hours in math/phys/chem/earth sciences

Combination of education and experience

Tools

Geologic modeling software

GIS software

Database query tools

Job description

This position serves as a Geologist (Coal), GS-1350-12/13 with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of the Regional Director, Rocky Mountain Region, Central Energy Resources Science Center.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 08/26/2026 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 (1) Basic Educational Requirements AND (2) Specialized Experience for the series/grade to which you are applying.

Geology Series, 1350

Individual Occupational Requirements

(1) Basic Educational Requirements

• Option A: EDUCATION: You must have successfully completed a degree in 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. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. (Unofficial okay)
• Option B: COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: You must have a combination of education and experience, that includes course work as shown in A above [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.] PLUS, appropriate experience or additional education related to this position. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in one of the fields stated in A above. (Note: Acceptable experience may have been gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking geological samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing. In some situations, professional scientific experience in other fields may be accepted in part as professional geological experience. Such experience must have been preceded by appropriate education in geology or by professional geological experience and must have contributed directly and significantly to the applicant's professional geological competence. To receive credit for geological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional geological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to geologic duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the geologic functions.) This combination must be sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties of a professional Geologist. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. (Unofficial okay)

(2) Specialized Experience

GS-12

To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

• 1. Collaborated with colleagues in applying knowledge of stratigraphy and sedimentology as they relate to coal depositional environments to interpret coal geology and correlate coal beds and associated strata.
• 2. Assisted, under supervision, in building, refining, and querying geologic databases to produce data and maps for coal resource assessments using specialized coal-geology modeling software.
• 3. Utilized geologic modeling and CAD-based software applications under supervision, gaining familiarity with their content and functions.
• 4. Collaborated with colleagues in applying knowledge and proficiency in coal quality to analyze and apply coal-quality parameters for coal resource assessments.
• 5. Co-presented or assisted in presenting assessment results and findings under direct supervision through publications, professional meetings, and/or conferences.

To qualify for the GS-12, you must MEET ALL the statements above.

GS-13

To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

• 1. Independently apply knowledge of stratigraphy and sedimentology as they relate to coal depositional environments to interpret coal geology and correlate coal beds and associated strata.
• 2. Independently build, refine, and query geologic databases to produce data and maps for coal resource assessments using specialized coal-geology modeling software.
• 3. Independently utilize geologic modeling and CAD-based software applications.
• 4. Independently apply knowledge and proficiency in coal quality to analyze and apply coal-quality parameters for coal resource assessments.
• 5. Present assessment results and findings through publications, professional meetings, and/or conferences.

To qualify for the GS-13, you must MEET ALL the statements above.

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.