Geographer
Job Location:
Lakewood, CO - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is located within the U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Core Science Systems Cartographic Data Services.
Duty Locations:
- Rolla Missouri
- Lakewood Colorado
- Reston Virginia
Salary (GS-11):
- Lakewood CO: $83265 (Step 1) to $108251 (Step 10)
- Rolla MO: $74678 (Step 1) to $97087 (Step 10)
- Reston VA: $85447 (Step 1) to $111087 (Step 10)
At the full performance level (GS-11) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
- Conduct research for the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) by responding to inquiries collecting and analyzing geographic names information from multiple sources and compiling data for case briefs and special projects.
- Prepare case briefs for proposed new and changed geographic names for publication in the BGN Docket List and presentation to the Domestic Names Committee.
- Provide technical support to senior BGN staff by participating in monthly committee meetings and offering expertise on geographic names issues.
- Serve as a technical liaison with Federal State Tribal local and private organizations on geographic names policies standards and projects.
- Represent the National Geospatial Program (NGP) at meetings committees and working groups to support geographic names research coordination and information sharing.
- Collaborate with the Domestic Names Committee (DNC) Executive Secretary Senior Researcher and other stakeholders to develop implement and maintain geographic names initiatives and projects.
- Assist with planning tracking and documenting annual work activities contracts and project deliverables supporting the geographic names program.
- Research evaluate and recommend geographic names information to ensure the accuracy consistency and integrity of the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and related national geospatial products.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
- Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
- Selectee may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
- Federal employees applying under merit promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
- Additional requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
A background investigation is required. Continued employment is contingent upon successfully completing the required background investigation and receiving a favorable suitability determination.
Throughout the recruitment process we will communicate with applicants via email. You are responsible for ensuring the email address provided in your application remains current. If your email address changes notify the point of contact listed in this announcement.
If selected you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period. During this period the agency will evaluate your performance conduct and continued suitability for Federal employment to determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest supports organizational goals and promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment beyond the probationary period is contingent upon the agencys written certification that you have successfully completed the probationary period.
Basic Education Requirement
Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for the Geographer Series GS-0150.
A. Education
Successfully completed a bachelors or higher degree in geography or a related physical or social science such as geology meteorology economics statistics sociology anthropology political science history cartography computer science urban studies or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience
Successfully completed a combination of education and experience that included coursework equivalent to a major in geography or a related field with at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields as described in A above plus appropriate experience and/or additional education. The combination of education and experience must be comparable in type scope and depth to that acquired through successful completion of a four-year course of study as described above.
Minimum Qualification Requirements for the GS-11 Grade Level
In addition to meeting the basic education requirement applicants must meet one of the following:
A. Specialized Experience
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing duties such as:
- Analyzing and interpreting geographic information maps digital geospatial data and related datasets to solve geographic problems.
- Researching evaluating and selecting information from multiple sources to support the location documentation and standardization of geographic names and features for maps charts or gazetteers.
- Analyzing the spatial distribution of geographic phenomena and comparing relationships among natural or human-induced features.
- Assisting higher-graded researchers on geographic studies projects or analyses by collecting organizing evaluating and interpreting geographic information.
- Performing independent assignments or significant portions of larger projects while applying established geographic principles methods and procedures to resolve routine problems.
OR
B. Education
Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in geography or another directly related field of study.
OR
Successfully completed three years of progressively higher-level graduate education (54 semester hours 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. in geography or another directly related field provided the education demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
OR
C. Combination of Graduate Education and Specialized Experience
Successfully completed a combination of graduate education beyond the second year of graduate study and specialized experience as described above that together meet the qualification requirements for the GS-11 grade level.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- 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 completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated visit: information
Other Information:
- This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in the advertised office or other U.S. Geological Survey offices in the local commuting area.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in other U.S. Geological Survey offices. - Applicants who include vulgar offensive or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
- Under Executive Order 11935 only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
- USGS employees are subject to Title 43 USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal private direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal private direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
- 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.
- DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities please visit 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. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
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: 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.
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.
- This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in the advertised office or other U.S. Geological Survey offices in the local commuting area.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
