Geophysicist.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Lakewood (CO); Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Lakewood, Colorado seeks a Geophysicist at GS-12/13 to interpret geophysical data and support energy resources studies. The position involves data acquisition, processing, and dissemination, with opportunities to present results at meetings and publish findings.

Telework may be possible with supervisor approval. Responsibilities include leading geophysical interpretation, collaborating on interdisciplinary teams, and contributing to ERP projects focused on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in geophysics or physical sciences with coursework in mathematics and physics.
• Specialized experience in designing and interpreting geophysical studies and data processing.
• Transcript submission required to verify education eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Interpret geophysical data for ERP projects using standard software.
• Acquire, disseminate, and archive geophysical data for ERP projects.
• Collaborate with IT staff to maintain and support geophysical data systems.
• Prepare reports and presentations to summarize geophysical study findings.

Skills

Geophysical data interpretation

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Presenting results

Data acquisition and archiving

Education

Bachelors in geophysics or physical sciences

Tools

Geophysical software

Job description

Duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of the Regional Director, Rocky Mountain Region, Central Energy Resources Science Center, duty stationed in Lakewood, Colorado.

At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Interpret geophysical data (e.g., electromagnetic, and potential fields data) for USGS Energy Resources Program (ERP) projects using industry standard and state-of-the-art software; these data are used to support studies and assessments of geologic energy resources.
• Acquire, disseminate, and archive geophysical data which are used for ERP projects.
• Work with IT staff to maintain, support, and/or administer computer hardware and software that are necessary for the acquisition, interpretation, dissemination, and archival of geophysical data.
• Prepare, complete, document, and disseminate results of research and studies through a series of presentations and publications which advance the role that geophysical data play in understanding undiscovered geologic energy accumulations in priority areas, and on understanding the processes that lead to these geologic energy resources. Presentations will be made at both internal USGS and external meetings and conferences. Reports will synthesize complex geophysical problems and comprehensively summarize study findings and recommendations.
• Actively participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team conducting geologic energy resource studies and assessments, as topical lead for geophysical interpretation.

Pre-employment Medical Examination

This position may involve field work. Therefore you will be required to pass a pre-employment medical examination to ensure you can perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, with or without accommodation.

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

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 10/20/2026 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 EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included at least 30 semester hours in mathematics (including calculus) and the physical sciences (geophysics, physics, engineering, geology, astronomy, meteorology, electronics, etc.).
• A combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours in mathematics (including calculus) and the physical sciences (geophysics, physics, engineering, geology, astronomy, meteorology, electronics, etc.), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK Please Note: This position requires specific educational coursework to qualify. You MUST provide transcripts in order to verify that the educational requirements have been met (Unofficial Okay). This information must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this information may result in you receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating.
• AND-

Specialized Experience

GS-12

In Addition To Meeting The Basic Education Requirement Above. 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:

• Designing and executing complex geophysical studies that involve intensive investigations into geophysical methods; AND
• Interpreting geophysical datasets including electromagnetic, and/or potential fields data; AND
• Using and/or administering computer hardware and software dedicated to geophysical data processing and interpretation.

To qualify, you must meet all three (3) of the specialized experience statements above.

GS-13

In Addition To Meeting The Basic Education Requirement Above. 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:

• Conducting geophysical studies-from planning through execution and reporting-that require innovative approaches to address geophysical methods related to geologic energy resources (e.g., petroleum, geothermal); AND
• Interpreting geophysical datasets including electromagnetic, and/or potential fields data; AND
• Analyzing complex geophysical attributes; AND
• Lead in using and/or administering computer hardware and software dedicated to geophysical data processing and interpretation.

To qualify, you must meet all four (4) of the specialized experience statements above.

The USGS Central Energy Resources Science Center is seeking to hire a Geophysicist with expertise in electromagnetic and potential-fields geophysical methods. The applicant will join, and contribute to, active teams currently studying geothermal and geologic hydrogen resources, with likely opportunities to contribute to petroleum and gas hydrate assessments and research in the future. Preferred Experience but not required for

Qualification

A strong background in airborne and ground-based electromagnetic methods and data, magnetotellurics,and gravity and magnetic methods is desirable. Additional experience in seismic data handling and interpretation are advantageous but not essential for this position.

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 you meet the minimum education requirement as specified under Qualifications (Unofficial Acceptable). 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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses are authorized, as applicable. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law December 2017, suspends the moving expense deduction and the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses that was allowed under previous tax laws. Employer reimbursements for moving costs are now generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Most duties are performed in office or laboratory environments that are typically safe, climate-controlled, and require no special physical effort. However, the position also involves field responsibilities that can demand significantly more physical activity and exposure to challenging conditions.

Field work may require hiking several kilometers over uneven terrain while carrying equipment, operating 4-wheel-drive vehicles, and traveling to remote locations by helicopter, small aircraft, or boat. Personnel may encounter extreme temperatures, dust, humidity, toxic gases, ice, flooding, and hazardous wildlife. Proper protective gear is often necessary, and lifting objects up to 20 kilograms may be required. In rare cases, international field assignments may occur in culturally hostile or otherwise high-risk areas.

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.