Physical Scientist

About the role

You will serve as a Physical Scientist with the United States Geological Survey in the Earthquake Science Center for the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system. Participation in 24/7 on-call duty response rotations is required (on call for 7 days at a time, including nights and weekends). This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority; veteran's preference and traditional competitive rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants who meet the cutoff score will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Responsibilities

• Serves in a leadership role for the ShakeAlert Communication, Education, Outreach, and Technical Engagement (CEO&TE) community comprised of officials in federal, state, and local agencies and collaborates in developing and implementing long-term, integrated public ShakeAlert CEO&TE protocols and plans to maximize the effectiveness of ShakeAlert's capability.
• Conveys complex scientific and technical information about earthquake hazards and the ShakeAlert system and its uses to non-technical audiences.
• Collaborates with the CEO&TE Coordinator to execute long range strategic planning efforts related to CEO&TE scope and overall content relative to the ShakeAlert system goals and those of the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
• Develops and implements new methods and products for dissemination of educational materials in a manner that is multidisciplinary, cost effective, and consistent with existing hazards education efforts. This includes having a direct role in developing and curating the ShakeAlert web and social media presence.
• Plans, facilitates, and coordinates working groups, meetings, workshops, and other stakeholder interactions as directed by the CEO&TE Coordinator.

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 operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle; must possess a valid State license and a safe driving record (proof required if selected).
• 1-year probationary period required; continued employment beyond probation requires written certification that employment advances the public interest.
• This is not a bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (11/02/2026). Resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with hours worked per week for proper crediting of specialized experience.

Basic Educational Requirements (must meet at least one)

• 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 physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. Transcripts required.
• B. Combination of education and experience: Course work as shown in A above (24 semester hours in physical science, engineering, or mathematics), 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 a 4-year course of study as described in A.

Specialized Experience for GS-12

In addition to the basic education requirement, one year of appropriate professional experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties. Examples of qualifying experience include:

• Conducting or participating in independent or team-based research in social, physical, or Earth science that utilizes scientific methods to investigate human behavior or natural phenomena in a laboratory or field environment.
• Planning, expanding, and executing targeted community engagement campaigns and building networks within a team-based context.
• Experience in STEM teaching in formal learning environments (K-12, college, university) or free-choice learning environments (museum, park visitor center).
• Experience communicating about natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.) preparedness, mitigation, planning, response, and recovery.
• Experience with emergency management protocols, procedures, and structures.

At this level, physical scientists independently perform complex work in research and operational environments requiring stakeholder engagement using sound governance processes and decision-making protocols ensuring accountability and operational consistency while allowing free exchange of information and ideas.

Education Verification

• Applicants using education or combination of education and experience must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts showing grades, credit hours, major(s), GPA or class ranking, institution name, and student name.
• If required coursework is not easily recognizable, a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that meets the requirement and equivalent units is required.
• Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application; official transcripts required if selected.
• Graduate education: one academic year = graduate school's definition of full-time study; if unavailable, 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) satisfies one year.
• Foreign education must be evaluated by a private credential evaluation organization and deemed equivalent to U.S. education programs.

Volunteer Experience

Volunteer work (including National Service programs such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other professional, philanthropic, religious, community, student, or social organizations) receives credit for all qualifying experience.

Pay

• Moffett Field, CA: $111,896 (Step 01) to $145,468 (Step 10)
• Seattle, WA: $100,602 (Step 01) to $130,786 (Step 10)
• First-time hires to the Federal government normally start at the Step 1 rate.

Schedule

Participation in 24/7 on-call duty response rotations is required (on call for 7 days at a time, including nights and weekends).

Additional information

• Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
• Application limit: first 75 applications received.