PDF versionJob Summary
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? For a GS-09: Salary: $58,006 (Step 01) to $75,408 (Step 10) For a GS-11: Salary: $70,181 (Step 01) to $91,234 (Step 10) For a GS-12: Salary $84,118 (Step 01) to $109,358 (Step 10) NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01.
Major Duties
As a Geophysicist within the Geologic Hazards Science Center some of your specific duties will include:
- Providing technical support to the National Seismic Hazard Models Project (NSHMP) for the developmental and distribution of National Seismic Hazard Models (NSHM).
- Lead role in developing, testing, and validating hazard models and in preparing reports for publication and presenting results at scientific meetings.
- Developing web-applications and associated services to support analysis and distribution of USGS NSHMPs.
- Contributing to the development, modernization, and curation (cleaning, documenting, placing in version control systems) of source codes used to develop NSHMP components.
- Conducting systemic sensitivity tests to improve the understanding of the influence of individual components of the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) on results.
Qualifications
For information on basic qualifications, which includes information on whether you may substitute education for specialized experience, please click on the following: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/geophysicist-gs-1313 BASIC
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.). **OR 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)
Geophysicist, GS-09:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:
2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in geophysics or other directly related field of study or master's or equivalent graduate degree in geophysics or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.
**OR one year of appropriate professional experience in geophysics that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service.
Examples of such experience include performing a variety of observations, computations, compilations and analyses in assisting higher level Geophysicists in carrying out geophysical assignments. This work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures, and would have required a good general working knowledge of the principles and the theories of geophysics or physics, and mathematics and a good knowledge of the methods and techniques involved in the investigation and measurement of geophysical phenomena.
**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education as described above that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.(CLICKHEREFOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)
Geophysicist, GS-11:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours,81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in geophysics or other directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in geophysics or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. **OR one year of appropriate professional experience in geophysics that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service.
Examples of such experience include independent responsibility for a well-defined study or for a phase of a larger study that required the planning and carrying out of routine geophysical work. This work would have required the individual to select and make minor adaptations to procedures and accepted practices and handle unexpected conditions arising in the normal course of the work. At this level, Geophysicists have a sound working knowledge of the principles of geophysics and the ability to independently perform moderately difficult and responsible scientific work.
**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education as described above that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional experience, as described above.(CLICKHEREFOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)
Geophysicist, GS-12:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in geophysics that is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service.
Examples of such experience include planning and executing complex geophysical studies, which usually involved intensive investigations into recognized phenomena. This work would have 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, Geophysicists have a very good knowledge of the principles of geophysics and their application, and the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$58,006.00 - $109,358.00