Geophysicist

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.

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.

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.  

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-

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.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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.