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Contract Geophysicist Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Oversee subsurface exploration programs, review boring logs, laboratory data, and geophysical ... meets contract and safety requirements. * Design and evaluate corrective measures for major ...

Contract Geophysicist information

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$51K

$100.3K

$151.4K

How much do contract geophysicist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract geophysicist in Colorado is $100,327.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,600.00 and $117,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Contract Geophysicist job?

A Contract Geophysicist is a professional who applies geophysical techniques to study the Earth's subsurface on a temporary or project-based basis. They analyze seismic, magnetic, electrical, or gravitational data to assist in resource exploration, environmental assessments, or engineering projects. Unlike full-time employees, contract geophysicists typically work on short-term assignments for companies in oil and gas, mining, or environmental industries. Their role may involve fieldwork, data interpretation, and reporting findings to clients. This career path offers flexibility but requires strong technical skills and the ability to adapt to different projects.

What does a typical project cycle look like for a Contract Geophysicist, and how do they interact with other professionals?

A Contract Geophysicist often works on projects from the data acquisition and survey planning stages through to data analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results. Throughout the project, you will collaborate closely with geologists, engineers, and project managers to integrate geological data, interpret seismic results, and provide recommendations for exploration or development decisions. The role involves both independent work and teamwork, requiring regular status updates, presentations, and technical documentation. Since project timelines can be tight and objectives may change, adaptability and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly are key to success in this position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Contract Geophysicist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Geophysicist, you need a solid grounding in geoscience, seismic data interpretation, and field survey techniques, usually supported by a degree in geophysics or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Petrel, Kingdom, and GIS platforms, as well as proficiency in data processing tools, is vital, and certifications such as SEG membership or GIT registration can be advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and adapting to dynamic project requirements. These competencies are crucial for delivering accurate subsurface analyses, meeting client objectives, and succeeding in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Geophysicist jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Geophysicist jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Geophysicist jobs in Colorado? For Contract Geophysicist jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Geophysicist jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Geophysicist jobs in Colorado are:

$99K/yr

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Re-posted 11 days ago


U.S. Department Of The Interior rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

411th of 841 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

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.Qualifications:

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.

Education:

This position has a mandatory education requirement.

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to ensure you meet the Basic Education Requirement. 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, 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. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Employment Type: OTHER

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