Geophysicist
What you'd do
These positions serve as Geophysicist's, GS-1313-12 with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of the Director, Rocky Mountain Region.
Major duties
These positions are located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Rocky Mountain Region, Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center, duty stationed in Lakewood, Colorado. At the full performance level (GS-12) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Plan and organize the development of requirements and specifications for monitoring systems. 2. Oversee geophysical instrumentation, data acquisition, processing, archiving, and retrieval activities for a complex, multi-station monitoring network that includes hundreds of channels of continuous seismic, geodetic, or other geophysical data. 3. Coordinate with other monitoring networks, evaluate and interpret the nature of potential activities, and assess resulting hazards.- Design and implement geologic, geophysical, and/or geochemical studies. 4. Process and interpret large sets of multispectral and hyperspectral remotely sensed data-using both computer-based and manual techniques-for terrestrial or planetary systems. 5. Perform routine geophysical work, which may include installing, calibrating, operating, repairing, and/or maintaining instruments and systems that record and collect geophysical data. Pre-employment Medical Examination: This position involves field work where the duties of the position may involve arduous conditions and those involving on-site emergency response. 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. Work Environment Most work takes place in an office or laboratory settings with adequate heat, light, and ventilation Office conditions do not require special safety precautions. Field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rain or snow, and hazardous conditions such as exposure to extreme temperature, noxious or toxic gasses, ice or flooding. Field work may occasionally also involve encounters with snakes, bears, and other wilderness dangers International field work may be conducted in culturally hostile areas. Physical Demands Some work of the position takes place mostly in an office or laboratory setting. No special physical effort is required. During emergency response periods, training of personnel on new equipment, or field work, the scientist may be expected to hike distances of several kilometers over uneven terrain while carrying equipment. Field work may require the use of proper personal protective gear, working in dusty, hot, humid, and extreme cold environments, occasional off-road driving of 4-wheel drive vehicles, traveling to remote field sites in helicopters or small fixed wing planes, and/or boats, lifting of equipment and objects weighing up to 20 kilograms may be necessary. Driver's License You will be required to maintain a valid State issued Driver's License as a condition of employment. Travel You will be required to travel for training, meetings or site visits (which will include field work). Telework You may be allowed to telework but only on a situational basis at management discretion. TERM Appointment This is a TERM appointment not to exceed 13 months with the potential to be extended on an annual basis for no more than a total of ten (10) years.
What you need to qualify
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 08/14/2026 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 EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Geophysicist, all grade levels. A. 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.). B. 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 HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE) 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- Minimum Qualification Requirements (Continued): 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: 1) Experience in planning and conducting airborne geophysical surveys. 2) Processing data using airborne geophysical processing software. 3) Developing airborne geophysical contracts. 4) Writing technical reports and data releases. To qualify you MUST meet at least 3 of the 4 specialized experience statements above. 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.
Before you apply
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