Geologist (Map Editor)

This announcement is open to United States Citizens, U.S. Nationals, and career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

About the role

You will serve as a Geologist (Map Editor) for the Science Publishing Network. This job is open to the first 100 applicants and will close once that limit is reached, regardless of the established closing date.

Responsibilities

• Review and edit a wide variety of scientific and technical publications (from geologic maps to multichaptered technical products) that deliver the results of USGS's multidisciplinary science to the public.
• Use professional knowledge of geology to critically review geologic maps and accompanying materials for their adequacy, clarity, consistency of data presentation, and correctness and validity of geologic interpretations.
• Perform substantive and technical editing, copyediting, proofreading, and cross-checking of all components of draft publications, ensuring correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, plain language, and other editorial standards.
• Review maps and accompanying text, illustrations, structure cross sections, explanations, and tables for technical accuracy, clarity, consistency, organization, and format.
• Review and inspect proofs to eliminate errors and to ensure that instructions have been followed, information product layouts meet accepted standards, data are presented clearly, and the job is complete.
• Provide diplomatic, clear, and professional reviews, advice, and communication to authors, managers, and other team members.
• Serve as a project manager, balancing multiple products at a time, and track and monitor progress through a multistage, digital publishing workflow to meet tight deadlines.
• Work individually and as part of a team to prepare and release map products and other publications.
• Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• 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/.
• You are 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.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (09/03/2026) unless otherwise stated.

Basic Educational Requirements

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

• A. Degree: 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. The degree must include or be 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. You must submit transcripts.
• B. Combination of education and experience: 24 semester hours or equivalent in geology plus 20 additional semester hours or equivalent in the courses specified above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education totaling 4 years.

Specialized Experience for GS-09 Grade Level

You must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes:

• Assisting higher-level geologists in carrying out geologic assignments, compiling information and data onto geologic maps, writing up the results of the assignments, fact-checking, and ensuring that the written report matches the data and information collected.
• Copyediting geologic reports from other geologists into a larger compilation report; editing a regular newsletter, journal, or other professional communication product for public dissemination.
• Reviewing and editing other people's maps and text as part of preparing these products for publication, involving reviewing submitted work for technical mistakes in geology, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Using judgment in applying editorial style and consistency across multiple products from different authors, requiring a good working knowledge of the principles of writing and editing, including sentence structure, overall organization and clarity, and editorial style.

You must include hours per week worked.

Alternate Qualification Paths for GS-09

• Education: Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in the fields described above. You must include transcripts.
• Combination of education and experience: A combination of successfully completed higher-level graduate education and specialized experience to meet the total qualification requirements for the grade level specified above. 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.

Education

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. 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.

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.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Work is sedentary but requires frequent trips to other offices for consultations, requiring mobility.
• Frequently handles large pieces of paper (42" x 58") singly or in rolls weighing as much as 20 pounds.
• Requires prolonged work over a light table or drafting table (sitting or standing) to check color proofs, layouts, and large illustrations.
• Requires the ability to handle high stress levels from the pressure of deadlines, volume of work, and challenges from authors.
• Work is done in an office environment with prolonged focus, attention to detail, and the ability to manage frequent interruptions by colleagues, visitors, and telephone and video calls.

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 can be found here.

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

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.