Geophysicist

This position is located within the Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Office of the Regional Director Rocky Mountain Region Central Energy Resources Science Center duty stationed in Lakewood Colorado.

At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
1. Interpret geophysical data (e.g. electromagnetic and potential fields data) for USGS Energy Resources Program (ERP) projects using industry standard and state-of-the-art software; these data are used to support studies and assessments of geologic energy resources.
2. Acquire disseminate and archive geophysical data which are used for ERP projects.
3. Work with IT staff to maintain support and/or administer computer hardware and software that are necessary for the acquisition interpretation dissemination and archival of geophysical data.
4. Prepare complete document and disseminate results of research and studies through a series of presentations and publications which advance the role that geophysical data play in understanding undiscovered geologic energy accumulations in priority areas and on understanding the processes that lead to these geologic energy resources. Presentations will be made at both internal USGS and external meetings and conferences. Reports will synthesize complex geophysical problems and comprehensively summarize study findings and recommendations.
5. Actively participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team conducting geologic energy resource studies and assessments as topical lead for geophysical interpretation.

Pre-employment Medical Examination:
This position may involve field work. 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.

• 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 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

  Qualifications:

  All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 10/20/2026 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 bachelors 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:
  Independently performing scientific work of considerable difficulty in the following:
  1. Designing and executing complex geophysical studies that involve intensive investigations into geophysical methods; AND
  2. Interpreting geophysical datasets including electromagnetic and/or potential fields data; AND
  3. Using and/or administering computer hardware and software dedicated to geophysical data processing and interpretation.
  To qualify you must meet all three (3) of the specialized experience statements above.
  
  GS-13
  In addition to meeting the Basic Education Requirement above. To qualify for the GS-13 you MUST possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 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:
  Independently performing scientific work of considerable difficulty in the following:
  1. Conducting geophysical studies-from planning through execution and reporting-that require innovative approaches to address geophysical methods related to geologic energy resources (e.g. petroleum geothermal); AND
  2. Interpreting geophysical datasets including electromagnetic and/or potential fields data; AND
  3. Analyzing complex geophysical attributes; AND
  4. Lead in using and/or administering computer hardware and software dedicated to geophysical data processing and interpretation.
  To qualify you must meet all four (4) of the specialized experience statements above.
  
  The USGS Central Energy Resources Science Center is seeking to hire a Geophysicist with expertise in electromagnetic and potential-fields geophysical methods. The applicant will join and contribute to active teams currently studying geothermal and geologic hydrogen resources with likely opportunities to contribute to petroleum and gas hydrate assessments and research in the future. Preferred Experience but not required for
  qualification:
  
  A strong background in airborne and ground-based electromagnetic methods and data magnetotelluricsand gravity and magnetic methods is desirable. Additional experience in seismic data handling and interpretation are advantageous but not essential for this position.

  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.
  
  You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support you meet the minimum education requirement as specified under Qualifications (Unofficial Acceptable). Transcripts must include your name school name grades credit hours earned major(s) grade point average or class ranking and date the degree was conferred if applicable. A typed list of courses grades semester/quarter hours GPA etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

  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. information

  Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
  
  Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position existing work at the higher grade level and recommendation by the positions supervisor.
  
  Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses are authorized as applicable. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) signed into law December 2017 suspends the moving expense deduction and the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses that was allowed under previous tax laws. Employer reimbursements for moving costs are now generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.

  Physical Demands/Work Environment:
  Most duties are performed in office or laboratory environments that are typically safe climate-controlled and require no special physical effort. However the position also involves field responsibilities that can demand significantly more physical activity and exposure to challenging conditions.

  Field work may require hiking several kilometers over uneven terrain while carrying equipment operating 4-wheel-drive vehicles and traveling to remote locations by helicopter small aircraft or boat. Personnel may encounter extreme temperatures dust humidity toxic gases ice flooding and hazardous wildlife. Proper protective gear is often necessary and lifting objects up to 20 kilograms may be rare cases international field assignments may occur in culturally hostile or otherwise high-risk areas.
  
  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 duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

  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.

  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.

  Review our 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.