Supervisory Physical Scientist

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Flagstaff (AZ); Remote; USD 148,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework allowed

Federal benefits package

Job summary

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Flagstaff, AZ, seeks a Supervisory Physical Scientist to lead the Astrogeology Science Center. You will supervise staff across professional, technical, clerical, and administrative roles to advance space science, geology, and data management.

You will direct center operations, approve data products, and represent USGS in national and international partnerships, guiding program development and resource stewardship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics with 24 semester hours in physical science/engineering
• OR
• Combination of education and experience equivalent to 4 years in physical science/engineering/mathematics

Responsibilities

• Supervise a large staff in professional, technical, clerical and administrative work to carry out the mission.
• Directly supervise professional, technical, clerical and administrative work and assess contractor work for adequacy.
• Serve as Center Director for Astrogeology Science Center and oversee space science, geology, remote sensing/cartography, computer science research and tech development.
• Approve USGS information products and data for release, including provisional or preliminary data and data services.
• Act as an advocate for Center employees, communicating capabilities to Federal, state, and academic communities; develop partnerships.

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics with 24 semester hours in physical science/engineering

Education/experience combination equivalent to 4 years in physical science/engineering/mathematics

Job description

Summary

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, Southwest Region, Astrogeology Science Center, FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA.

Salary

$147,945 (Step 01) to $192,331 (Step 10)

The salary range listed is based on the associated General Schedule Locality pay tables as determined by the Locality Pay Area Definitions. See the Additional Information section for more information.

Duties

As a Supervisory Physical Scientist with the Astrogeology Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• 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

• 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• 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.

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: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

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.

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: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies.
• Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Do not submit photographs with your application package.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.

Agency contact information

DOI Staffing Team 5 (USGS)

Email: [e-mail]

Address: ASTROGEOLOGY SCIENCE CENTER

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Mail Stop 600

Reston, VA 20192

US