Supervisory Physical Scientist.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Saint Petersburg (FL); Remote; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Geological Survey in Saint Petersburg, FL seeks a senior scientist to lead numerical coastal change hazard studies, develop advanced hydrodynamic models, and provide technical guidance across projects.

The role includes supervising staff and representing the agency in technical forums and committees to advance coastal science and operations. The position requires meeting rigorous educational and experience criteria, including a mandatory education requirement and compliance with background

Qualifications

• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• To qualify, submit evidence of hours per week worked so credit is properly given for time.
• Foreign education must be evaluated for equivalence as required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, execute, review, supervise, and administer technical programs.
• Design and conduct interdisciplinary studies involving coastal numerical modeling.
• Serve as senior technical expert in coastal change hazards modeling.
• Supervise Coastal Change Hazards Center modeling staff.
• Represent the USGS at technical meetings, conferences, and committees related to coastal hazards.

Skills

Numerical modeling

Coastal hazards

Interdisciplinary research

Hydrodynamic modeling

Technical guidance

Education

Degree in physical science/engineering/mathematics with 24 semester hours in physical science/engineering

Combination of education and experience with 24 semester hours in physical science/engineering plus relevant experience

Job description

Duties

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

• Preparation, execution, review, supervision, and administration of technical programs.
• Design and conduct interdisciplinary scientific studies involving coastal numerical modeling.
• Serve as senior technical expert related to numerical modeling of coastal change hazards.
• Supervise Coastal Change Hazards Center modeling staff.
• Represent the USGS at technical meetings, conferences, and committees related to coastal change hazards, exercising delegated authority to represent the science centers in matters pertaining to coastal change hazards daily operations.

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 have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You must pass a physical examination.
• 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 period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/23/2026-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 following minimum qualifications:

Basic Educational Requirements

In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

• 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. -OR-
• 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 engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

-AND-

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Lead scientific studies involving numerical modeling to analyze and predict physical processes affecting coastal environments; Develop and integrate advanced hydrodynamic models to simulate coastal change hazards; Provide technical guidance to personnel on model applications, simulation techniques, and data interpretation. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-

Volunteer 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 does not allow substituting education for experience.

This position has a mandatory education requirement.

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.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Work processes and procedures constantly vary due to changing technology, requires extensive training and guidance of subordinate staff.

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,

Telework

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Candidate Commitment

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.

Benefits

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.