Telework eligibleFederal

Geophysicist

Geological Survey · Department of the Interior

Geophysics

Salary
$99,800–$154,280/year
Grade
12–13
Work location
Telework eligible · Lakewood, Colorado
Schedule
Full-time
Posted
Sep 29, 2026
Apply by
Oct 20, 2026
Category
Geophysics

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Source: USAJOBS. Applications happen on the original posting, not on this site.

Summary

This position serves as a Geophysicist, GS-1313-12/13 with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of the Regional Director, Central Energy Resources Science Center.

Duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of the Regional Director, 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. Design and implement geophysical studies using reflection seismic data to aid in geologic energy resource (e.g., oil and gas, geothermal, gas hydrates, geologic hydrogen) studies and assessments. 2. Load and interpret two- and three-dimensional reflection seismic data used for studies and assessments of geologic energy resources. 3. Design and apply processing and interpretation algorithms (e.g., pre- and post-stack seismic attributes, impedance inversion, amplitude variation with offset) for analysis of multichannel, high-resolution reflection seismic data. 4. Assist with administration of software and hardware dedicated to geophysical data processing and interpretation. 5. Prepare, complete, document, and disseminate results through 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. 6. 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.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. As 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 service. In 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 individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In 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.

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. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

How you will be evaluated

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of any additional assessment(s) required for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Geophysics Leadership Modeling and Simulation Research Technical Competence Written Communication Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessment(s), including a Structured Resume Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job. Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

About this listing

Geological Survey has 8 open listings on the site: all telework eligible. This one is telework eligible, based in Lakewood, Colorado. See all Geological Survey listings, or read what fully remote and telework eligible mean.

Advertised pay is $99,800 to $154,280 a year. That covers GS-12 to GS-13 on the General Schedule, where pay also depends on step and locality; how GS pay works.

This announcement is open for 21 days, from Sep 29, 2026 to Oct 20, 2026. Among currently open federal postings, the typical advertised window is about 13 days.

Who can apply: the public (U.S. citizens), plus federal employees eligible for career transition programs. The announcement's "This job is open to" section has the exact eligibility rules.

Context computed from the GovRemoteJobs inventory as of Oct 6, 2026, refreshed daily.

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