Geologist (Map Editor)

This Geologist (Map Editor) position is with Geological Survey (Department of the Interior) in Phoenix, AZ. You will serve as a Geologist (Map Editor) for the Science Publishing Network. Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. This announcement is only open to the first 100 applicants. Once the application limit has been reached, the announcement will automatically close at 11:59 pm EST on the day the limit is reached, regardless of the established closing date. Key duties: • Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: 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. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/03/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine the number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND/OR Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, 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. In addition to the geology course work included in the degree, it must also have included or been 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. -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: combination of education and experience which includes 24 semester hours or equivalent in geology plus 20 additional semester hours or equivalent in a combination of courses specified in choice 1, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education totaling 4 years. -AND- To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: 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 must include: 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. Additional examples of such experience may include copyediting geologic reports from other geologists into a larger compilation report; editing a regular newsletter, journal, or other professional communication product for public dissemination; or reviewing and editing other people's maps and text as part of preparing these products for publication. This work experience would have involved reviewing submitted work for technical mistakes not only in the geology, but also grammar, spelling, and punctuation; using some judgment in applying editorial style and consistency across multiple products from different authors; and would have required 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. -OR- 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 in the question above. You must include transcripts. -OR- 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. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.