Physical Scientist

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Reston (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Geological Survey (USGS) in Reston, VA, seeks a Physical Scientist to perform technical and economic analyses of mineral resources and industries for the Northeast Region. The role involves collecting and synthesizing data on mineral investment, production, and trade, and preparing reports on mineral policy, development, and supply.

You will provide expertise to agencies, industry, and the public, including field visits and analyses of trends affecting mineral production and

Qualifications

• Requires 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science. Submit transcripts.
• Education combined with experience acceptable per the basic requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduits technical, economic, and statistical studies of mineral resources and industries for assigned countries/regions.
• Collects, evaluates, and synthesizes data on mineral investment, production, consumption, processing, and trade from various sources.
• Prepares reports and analyses on mineral industries, evaluating production, trade, reserves, policies, investment climate, and laws.
• Provides information to government agencies, industry, and the public; conducts field visits and prepares reports on mineral operations and policies affecting mineral production and trade.
• Analyzes mineral industry trends, government policies, and economic factors affecting mineral development, production, trade, investment, and supply.

Education

24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science

Combination of education and experience per the A or B paths

Job description

Summary

You will serve as a Physical Scientist within the Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Northeast Region, National Minerals Information Center in Reston, Virginia.

Salary

GS11: $85,447 per annum (Step 1) - $111,087 per annum (Step 10)

GS12: $102,415 per annum (Step 1) - $133,142 per annum (Step 10)

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

This job is open to U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency: This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens or Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Veteran's preference and traditional competitive rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants who meet the cutoff score will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for the position.

Duties

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

• Conducts technical, economic, and statistical studies and analyses of mineral resources and industries for assigned countries and regions.
• Collects, evaluates, and synthesizes data on mineral investment, production, consumption, processing, and trade from domestic and international sources.
• Prepares reports, publications, and analyses on mineral industries, evaluating production, trade, reserves, mineral policies, investment climate, and laws affecting mineral development and mining.
• Provides technical information and expertise to government agencies, industry representatives, and the public; conducts field visits and prepares reports on mineral operations, industry developments, and government policies affecting mineral production and trade.
• Analyzes and evaluates mineral industry trends, government policies, and economic factors affecting mineral development, production, trade, investment, and supply.

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 www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
• 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 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.

Foreign Language Requirement

In addition to the standard qualifications listed above, conversational fluency in at least one or more of the following languages is required:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• German
• Hindi
• Indonesian
• Portuguese

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

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

Basic Educational Requirements

• A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. You must submit transcripts.
• B. Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related