USGS Jobs | Latest United States Geological Survey Jobs
Are you driven by curiosity about Earth, its natural resources, and how we can protect its ecosystems? USGS Jobs offer opportunities for scientists, technicians, analysts, and support staff to work on cutting-edge projects in hydrology, geology, mapping, biology, and disaster resilience. With USGS Careers, you’ll be part of a federal science agency that gathers data, produces research, and informs policies that affect the whole country.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, experienced researcher, or someone skilled in mapping, data science, or field work, USGS Vacancies offer diverse roles where you can grow, contribute, and make impact. Your future career begins here.
| Government Name: | United States Geological Survey (USGS) |
| Job Location: | Reston, Virginia, United States |
| Job Type | Full-time, Part-time, Internships |
| Publishing Date | 8th Oct, 2025 |
USGS Jobs | Latest Geologist Jobs
About USGS
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a federal scientific agency in the Department of the Interior. It was founded in 1879 to provide impartial information about the health of ecosystems, natural hazards, natural resources, climate change, and land-use impacts. The USGS operates in every U.S. state, with its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, and major science centers in locations such as Lakewood, Colorado; Sacramento, California; and other field offices.
USGS’s work covers geology, biology, geography, water resources, mapping, ecosystems, hazard monitoring (like earthquakes and volcanoes), climate science, and more. The agency provides data and tools that help government, researchers, and citizens understand and respond to environmental and natural phenomena.
Work Culture at USGS Jobs
Working at USGS means being part of a mission-driven organization where science, accuracy, collaboration, and service are key values.
- Employees are engaged in field work, laboratory research, data collection and modeling, map production, satellite data analysis, and long-term environmental monitoring.
- Science integrity, transparency, and peer review are emphasized.
- The agency supports professional development: trainings, fellowships, student internships and mentoring.
- Work-life balance is supported, though some roles require travel, field assignments, or irregular schedules.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasingly central in hiring and workplace practices.
Interview Tips for USGS Jobs
- Research the specific science or technical area of the vacancy (e.g., hydrology, mapping, biology, hazard monitoring) and be ready to talk in depth about methods, tools, or projects.
- Emphasize relevant experience: field work, lab methods, GIS or remote sensing, data analysis, modeling, sample processing, etc.
- Tailor your resume to the GS-grade or federal requirements—show coursework or certifications that meet what the job posting asks for.
- Be clear about federal hiring processes: know the General Schedule (GS) grades, locality pay, and what “step” means.
- Prepare behavioral questions: how you’ve handled uncertainty, safety in field operations, collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.
- If applying to student/fellowship programs, highlight academic performance, research experience, and publications if relevant.
- Make sure paperwork is complete: transcripts, references, clearances, anything the job announcement lists.
Salary & Benefits
Here are sample roles and typical salary ranges at USGS based on published announcements and salary-survey data:
| Role | Approx. Annual Salary Range (USD) |
| Research Scientist (mid-career) | $85,000 – $116,000 |
| Natural Resources / Biological Science Technician | ~$60,000 – $90,000 depending on grade and location |
| Hydrologist / Geoscience Specialist (GS-11/GS-12) | ~$95,000 – $130,000 depending on locality and experience |
| Cartographer / GIS Analyst | ~$70,000 – $100,000+ depending on tools and experience |
| Student / Fellow / Intern Positions | Lower end of pay scale, often GS-07 to GS-09 depending on qualifications |
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (for eligible employees)
- Retirement under federal schemes, savings plans, life insurance
- Paid holidays, leave (annual, sick), flexible leave policies
- Employee assistance programs (wellness, counseling)
- Federal training, fellowships, student/apprentice programs
- Opportunities for field work, travel, and working on high-impact environmental projects
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for USGS Careers / USGS Vacancies, candidates generally need:
- U.S. citizenship for most paid positions; non-citizen hiring is very rare
- Relevant educational background: degree in biology, geology, hydrology, geography, environmental science, data science, or related field depending on the job
- Experience or coursework in science, research, mapping, data analysis, field work, technical tools, depending on role
- Ability to meet physical demands if field work is involved
- Willingness to travel or work in remote or environmental field settings (when required)
- Strong communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills
Latest Job Openings
| Job Title | Location | Category | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrologist (GS-12) | Reston, Virginia | Water Resources / Science | Submit Application |
| Biological Technician | Lakewood, Colorado | Biology / Field Sciences | Submit Application |
| GIS Specialist / Cartographer | Sacramento, California | Mapping & Data Analysis | Submit Application |
| Research Fellow | Virginia or Academic Institution | Research / Fellowship | Submit Application |
| Geoscience Project Lead | Field Office, Various States | Project Management & Science | Submit Application |
How to Apply USGS United States Geological Survey Jobs?
To apply for USGS Careers, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Go to the federal job portal where USGS posts job announcements.
- Step 2: Search for positions by category (science, mapping, field work, technical support) and location.
- Step 3: Read the job announcement carefully—note GS-grade, qualifications, physical demands, required documents.
- Step 4: Prepare your application: resume, transcripts, certifications, references.
- Step 5: Submit the application before the closing date through the federal job portal.
- Step 6: If selected, you may undergo interviews (technical and behavioral), possibly field or lab tests, and background checks.
FAQs
Q1. Can non-U.S. citizens apply for USGS Jobs?
Almost all paid USGS positions require U.S. citizenship; non-citizen appointments are very rare.
Q2. Does USGS offer internships or positions for students?
Yes. There are student internship, fellowship, and research participation programs for undergraduate/graduate students and recent graduates.
Q3. What are typical salaries at USGS?
Salaries depend on grade, location, experience, and specific role. For example, research scientist roles often fall between $85,000 – $116,000 annually.
Q4. What benefits does USGS offer?
USGS provides health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave (annual/sick), professional development, and other federal employee benefits.
Q5. What skills are most in demand at USGS?
Experience with field work, GIS or mapping technologies, data analysis, remote sensing, environmental or biological science; also good lab methods or computational skills depending on role.
