Geology

GS-1350

Position Overview

Geologists help the Department of Interior (DOI) interpret and forecast volcanic eruptions to better understand and predict the timing and impact of volcanic hazards. Others carry out geologic field work on earthquakes to inform active fault studies. And still others use their geologic expertise to evaluate applications to conduct drilling, resource leasing, and minerals exploration on public lands. The work performed by DOI geologists can vary greatly across positions and locations.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
National Park Service
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is someone who can learn, understand, explain and use in depth knowledge of geology and related specialized areas such as minerals management or seismology to identify and analyze problems, and make logical decisions and develop solutions. A strong ability to establish effective working relationships with stakeholders and leverage partnerships to achieve collaborative solutions and resolve complex problems is essential.

Work Environment

Geologists primarily spend time in office settings with occasional work in the field (sometimes in mines, construction sites, or other remote areas).

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Professional and Scientific Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry: Managing databases; Collecting, analyzing and evaluating geologic data; Reviewing drilling applications or mineral explorations proposals

  • Mid: Preparing geologic reports; Presenting technical information and answering stakeholder questions; Conducting surface and subsurface field investigations

  • Journey: Providing expert testimony on minerals deposits; Negotiating agreements with various stakeholders; Providing technical guidance to regional geologists; Leading teams carrying out geologic investigation projects

  • Senior: Conceiving, planning and executing complex programs; Managing a large technical organization; Formulating national policies

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Strengths by Level

Entry 5-7
Mid 9-11
Journey 12-13
Senior 14-15
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Mid 9-11
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    Senior 14-15
  • Compliance
    Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
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  • Creative Thinking
    Uses imagination to develop new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to problems; designs new methods where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or are unavailable.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
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  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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  • Data Interpretation
    Skill in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data and policies, to determine actions and develop and propose guidance.
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  • Data Management
    Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and tools of data management, such as modeling techniques, data backup, data recovery, data dictionaries, data warehousing, data mining, data archiving, data disposal, and data standardization processes.
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  • Entrepreneurship
    Positions the organization for future success by identifying new opportunities; builds the organization by developing or improving products or services. Takes calculated risks to accomplish organizational objectives.
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  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Mid 9-11
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  • Geographical Sciences
    Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods for describing the location and distribution of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical locations, relationships, characteristics, and what the land supports.
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    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
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  • Geology
    Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the origins and structure of the earth, including the physical forces that have shaped it and its physical and organic history.
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    Mid 9-11
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  • Geophysics
    Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories related to solid earth structure, global seismic patterns, lithosphere, atmosphere, and the behavior of the earth’s gravitational, magnetic, and electrical fields, and other forces affecting the earth and its environment.
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  • Geospatial Information Systems
    Knowledge of and skill in manipulating computer systems designed for capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying data related to positions on the surface of the earth and other planetary bodies in order to better understand spatial patterns and relationships.
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    Journey 12-13
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  • Integrity/Honesty
    Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
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  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Journey 12-13
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  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Journey 12-13
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  • Organizational Awareness
    Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
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  • Physical Sciences
    Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to investigate and apply the relations between space, time, matter, and energy in the areas of gravity, atomic principles, mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and related natural phenomena.
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  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Mid 9-11
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    Senior 14-15
  • Project Management
    Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Research and Statistics
    Knowledge of scientific principles, methods, and tools of basic and applied research (for example, statistics and data analysis) used to conduct a systematic inquiry into a subject matter area.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15

Where We Are

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