Geographer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

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: $83,265 (Step 1) to $108,251 (Step 10)
• Rolla, MO: $74,678 (Step 1) to $97,087 (Step 10)
• Reston, VA: $85,447 (Step 1) to $111,087 (Step 10)

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 bachelor's 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:https://www.usgs.gov/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs