Physical Science Technician

About the role

This is a term position with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center. The initial appointment is expected to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of ten (10) years or more, based on regulatory changes, without further competition at management's discretion.

This position is open to U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S., as well as career transition-eligible federal employees (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

Duties

• Conduct field phases of geologic data collection projects.
• Calibrate, install, and maintain field instrument sites for monitoring magnetotellurics, seismicity, gravity, multi-spectral or hyperspectral remote sensing, and similar parameters.
• Prepare rock samples for geochemical (e.g., trace metal or isotope) or physical (e.g., thin section or mineral separation) analyses.
• Process and plot data using standard or specially developed computer software, including GIS software.
• Assist scientists during the office phase of scientific projects including permitting, data management, and preparation of data for publication and release.

Work Environment

Most work takes place in an office or laboratory setting with adequate heat, light, and ventilation. Field conditions may include:

• Extreme heat or cold, rain or snow, and hazardous conditions such as exposure to extreme temperatures, noxious or toxic gases, ice, or flooding.
• Encounters with wildlife (e.g., snakes, bears) and other wilderness dangers.
• International fieldwork in culturally hostile areas.

Physical Demands

Some work occurs in an office or laboratory setting with no special physical effort required. During fieldwork or emergency response, the following may be expected:

• Hiking several kilometers over uneven terrain while carrying equipment.
• Use of personal protective gear in dusty, hot, humid, or extreme cold environments.
• Off-road driving of 4-wheel drive vehicles, travel to remote sites via helicopters, small fixed-wing planes, or boats.
• Lifting equipment or objects weighing up to 20 kilograms.

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.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must have and maintain a valid State-issued driver’s license throughout employment.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Pre-employment medical examination required to ensure ability to perform essential duties, with or without accommodation.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/18/2026).

Specialized Experience (GS-07)

To qualify for the GS-07 level, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the Federal service or comparable non-Federal experience. Specialized experience includes:

• Collecting data and drafting reports for physical sciences research or natural resource-based studies.
• Collecting and analyzing geologic monitoring data such as GIS, remote sensing, seismic, magnetotellurics, electromagnetic, or geochemical data.
• Setting up and/or managing remote geologic monitoring equipment (e.g., magnetotelluric sensors, seismic sensors, gravity stations).

You must meet at least two of the three specialized experience statements.

Education

Alternatively, you may qualify based on education:

• One full year (18 semester hours) of graduate-level education in a related field.
• An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education.

Volunteer experience (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) may also be credited. If substituting education for experience, you must submit transcripts (unofficial are acceptable initially; official transcripts required if selected). Foreign education must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency by a recognized organization.

Pay

First-time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.

• GS-07: $56,262 - $73,142 per annum.

Additional Information

• Term positions do not convey permanent status in the Federal service.
• The agency retains discretion to extend the appointment based on regulatory changes.
• Reasonable accommodations for disabilities are available upon request for online assessments.
• Employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain certain rights (e.g., permits, leases) in Federal lands, with limited exceptions.
• Additional ethics prohibitions apply (see DOI Ethics Prohibitions).