Supervisory Physical Scientist.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Flagstaff (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Geological Survey seeks a Center Director for the Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff to lead a diverse team spanning science, engineering, and administration.

You will oversee planning, execution, and delivery of space science, geology, remote sensing, and technical development initiatives. The role requires senior leadership, collaboration with Federal and academic partners, and the ability to advocate for Center employees while advancing programmatic objectives across the USGS

Qualifications

• One year of professional experience equivalent to GS-14 level in the Federal service or related duties.
• Experience involving highly unstructured problems with technology and complex human relations.
• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of the vacancy.

Responsibilities

• Directs and supervises a large staff across professional, technical, clerical, and administrative work to advance USGS mission.
• Acts as Center Director for Astrogeology Science Center, planning and overseeing space science, geology, remote sensing, and related fields.
• Represents USGS interests with DOI, other agencies, universities, and global partners; develops partnerships and expands program objectives.

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical sciences, engineering, or mathematics

Job description

Duties

• Responsible for the technical and administrative supervision of a large and complex staff in professional, technical, clerical and administrative work to carry out the mission of the organization.
• Directly supervises professional, technical, clerical and administrative work. Also determines whether contractor performed work meets standards of adequacy.
• Serves as Center Director for Astrogeology Science Center. The planning, conduct, and completion of all science center activities encompass broad areas of space science, geology, remote sensing/cartography, computer science research and technical development.
• Assumes bureau authority and responsibility for approving a variety of USGS information products (SM 205.18) and data for release (SM 502.8), including emergency and provisional or preliminary data, and for approving databases and data services.
• The incumbent is an active representative of and advocate for all Center employees, equitably communicating the breadth of Center science capabilities to the broader USGS and other governmental and scientific communities; represents USGS interests in formal and informal contacts with DOI, other USGS entities, Federal and State agencies, universities, the private sector, and with other governmental and research organizations worldwide; acts as principal spokesperson in matters of significance, especially matters relating to research, monitoring, and assessments of planetary and space science issues; develops partnerships and collaborates to expand the programmatic objectives of USGS science and its applications.

Physical Demands-

Office tasks are primarily sedentary. The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking or hiking over uneven surfaces; recurring lifting and carrying equipment and samples up to 50 lbs.; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, and similar activities.

Work Environment

The position is primarily in the office. Travel may be required to coordinate efforts with scientists, lead outdoor training, or for fieldwork. Outdoor training and fieldwork include areas of rough, uneven, rocky, and (or) slippery surfaces. Work also involves moderate risks or discomforts, e.g., adverse weather conditions, such as high winds and low or high temperatures; travel in off-road vehicles; working around moving parts, carts, or machines.

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 possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.

This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

Qualifications

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

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 in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
• OR
• A combination of education and experience--education equivalent to one of the majors shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering, or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science as described above, 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.
• AND

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

One year of appropriate professional experience that is in or directly related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Examples of such experience include investigations that involved highly unstructured problems involving both difficult technology and complex human relations or programmatic issues. The results of these investigations had significant effects over a wide region of the United States or may have included responsibility for new technology especially critical to the organization's programs. This work involved other recognized senior technical experts asking the scientist for advice or counsel due to his/her personal reputation in the field.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 10/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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.

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.

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
• OR
• A combination of education and experience--education equivalent to one of the majors shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering, or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science as described above, 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.

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. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit:

Additional information

Other Information

• Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
• The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
• As part of the application process, a series of four short essay questions will be included. Applicants must certify that their own words were used to answer the questions.
• Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Agency Benefits:

• USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
• For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at:
• Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes

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.