Computer Scientist (EDGE).

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Leads the research, development, and application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and geospatial analytics methods to map, characterize, and monitor land cover, land use, and ecosystem change across the United States using multi-source Earth observation data.
• Collaborates and coordinates with internal and external scientists, engineers, and stakeholders.
• Transitions research and technical innovations into operational production environments, supporting the development and application of national-scale land-change monitoring solutions.
• Provides technical and scientific leadership in support of priority projects at the USGS EROS Center, advancing capabilities for land-change monitoring and decision support through the development of operationally relevant geospatial mapping solutions.
• Communicates with external partners and stakeholders, disseminating research and applications results and other information through participation in seminars and meetings, by publishing scientific and technical reports in the open literature, participating in professional meetings, symposia, and conferences, and participating in special task forces and study groups.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

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.
• Required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• As a condition of employment, 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. 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.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (10/30/2026) unless otherwise stated. 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. Failure to adequately provide hours worked may result in that time not being credited. For military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient.

Basic Educational Requirements

In addition to specialized experience, you must meet at least one of the following:

• Bachelor's or higher degree in computer science; OR
• Bachelor's or higher degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus.

You must submit transcripts.

Specialized Experience Requirement (GS-13)

In addition to the basic education requirement, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

• Applying advanced AI/ML methods—including deep learning, foundation models, computer vision, automated feature extraction, or related approaches—to scientific or geospatial problems.
• Conducting original research, developing and evaluating novel algorithms or analytical methods, and rigorously assessing accuracy, uncertainty, scalability, and scientific validity.
• Using AI/ML for Earth observation and geospatial data applications.
• Translating scientific or mission needs into computational solutions, evaluating emerging technologies and algorithms, and moving research concepts toward usable products, tools, or operational capabilities.
• Leading and collaborating across disciplines and organizations, communicating complex science effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, publishing scientific results, and influencing programs, stakeholders, or decision-making.

You must include hours per week worked.

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 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 claimed education. 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. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected and used 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.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor. The full performance level for an EDGE position is GS-15; however, promotion eligibility is dependent upon the scientific contributions of the incumbent as evaluated by a peer panel.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions apply.

The duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.