Professional Geologist Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

You will serve as a Research Geologist within the Alaska Science Center.

Salary: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate of 1.49% is authorized. COLA is subject to change without notice.
GS-12: $101,206 (Step 01) to $131,571 (Step 10).

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/17/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Basic Educational Requirement and/or Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

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 in geology. In addition to the geology course work included in the degree, it must also have included or been supplemented by 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography; OR

B. A combination of education and experience-course work as shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in geology plus 20 additional semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses as specified in "A" above), 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)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to the Basic Education Requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: Applicants must possess at least one full year of appropriate professional experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of specialized experience include planning and executing geologic studies, which usually involved intensive investigations into recognized phenomena. This work typically involved conventional methods & techniques though it required going beyond clear precedents and required adapting methods to the problems at hand and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, Geologists have a very good knowledge of the principles of geology and their application, and the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
• Education: Successful completion of a PHD or equivalent in Geology. You must include transcripts. -OR-
• Combination of Education and Experience. To combine education and experience, first take graduate education in excess of 36 semester hours or 54 credit hours plus specialized experience as described above. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

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.

This position has a mandatory education requirement.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. 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. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification