Computer Scientist (EDGE)

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

• Leads the research development and application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning (ML) and geospatial analytics methods to map characterize and monitor land cover land use and ecosystem change across the United States using multi-source Earth observation data.
• Collaborates and coordinates with internal and external scientists engineers and stakeholders. Transitions research and technical innovations into operational production environments supporting the development and application of national-scale land-change monitoring solutions.
• Provides technical and scientific leadership in support of priority projects at the USGS EROS Center advancing capabilities for land-change monitoring and decision support through the development of operationally relevant geospatial mapping solutions.
• Communicates with external partners and stakeholders disseminating research and applications results and other information through participation in seminars and meetings by publishing scientific and technical reports in the open literature participating in professional meetings symposia and conferences and participating in special task forces and study groups.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit 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 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 individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be 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.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/30/2026-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 Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

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

• Degree: Bachelors or higher degree in computer science OR a bachelors or higher degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics statistics and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. You must submit transcripts.

-AND-

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

• Specialized Experience Requirement: In addition to the basic education requirement stated above 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:
  • Applying advanced AI/ML methods-including deep learning foundation models computer vision automated feature extraction or related approaches-to scientific or geospatial problems.
  • Conduct original research develop and evaluate novel algorithms or analytical methods and rigorously assess accuracy uncertainty scalability and scientific validity.
  • Use of AI/ML for Earth observation and geospatial data applications.
  • Translate scientific or mission needs into computational solutions evaluate emerging technologies and algorithms and move research concepts toward usable products tools or operational capabilities.
  • Lead and collaborate across disciplines and organizations communicate complex science effectively to technical and non-technical audiences publish scientific results and influence programs stakeholders or decision-making.

You must include hours per week worked.

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.