Department: Department of the Interior
Location(s): Lakewood, Colorado
Salary Range: $68138 - $128460 Per Year
Job Summary: Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Geologist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. Duty Location: Lakewood, Colorado GS-09 Salary: $68,138-$88,577 GS-11 Salary: $82,440-$107,167 GS-12 Salary: $98,811-$128,460
Major Duties:
Qualifications: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, you must meet BOTH the Basic Education Requirement and Additional Qualification Requirements. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience Basic Education Requirements: To be eligible for consideration, you must first meet the Basic Education Requirement for this position, having a A. Degree: geology, plus 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. OR B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Experience: Acceptable experience may have been gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing. Experience that involved only one phase of geology work, e.g., collecting samples, would not be acceptable as providing the required professional knowledge of the theory and principles of geology. In some situations, professional scientific experience in other fields may be accepted in part as professional geological experience. Such experience must have been preceded by appropriate education in geology or by professional geological experience, and must have contributed directly and significantly to the applicant's professional geological competence. Examples include some positions in geophysics, mining engineering, soils science, physical oceanography, hydrology, climatology, biology, analytic or experimental chemistry, metallurgy, and comparable fields where the normal duties or results of investigations have been extended to the solution of geologic problems by the applicant. Ordinary functions of positions such as seismic, computer, petroleum or mining engineer, mine superintendent, or metallurgist generally are not considered professional geological experience. To receive credit for geological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional geological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to geologic duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the geologic functions. Please submit both undergraduate and graduate level transcripts, as applicable, to meet Basic Education qualification requirement. ~AND~ Additional Specialized Experience Requirement: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the education and/or specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume. To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-07 level in federal service having demonstrated experience including performing duties associated with the planning and execution of geological investigations including the collection, interpretation, and analysis of geologic data, and the preparation of reports, figures, and presentations for simple to moderately complex projects with oversight. GS-09 level: You could otherwise qualify on the basis of Education having at least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters in geology or other directly related field OR possess a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree. You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications. To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in federal service having demonstrated experience including performing duties associated with the planning and execution of engineering geological investigations including the collection, interpretation, and analysis of geologic data, and the preparation of reports, figures, and presentations for simple to moderately complex projects with oversight; and experience in engineering geology including the engineering geologic characterization of soil, rock and man-made materials. GS-11 level: You could otherwise qualify on the basis of Education having 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications. To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in federal service having demonstrated experience including independently performing duties associated with the planning and execution of engineering geological investigations related to the engineering evaluation and design of civil structures including the collection, interpretation, and analysis of geologic data, and the preparation of reports, figures, and presentations; and experience in engineering geology including the engineering geologic characterization of soil, rock and man-made materials to support engineering evaluation and design of civil structures. GS-9/11/12 levels: 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. Time-In-Grade: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower-grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors if applicable, by 11/21/2025.
How to Apply: Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, DC time) on 11/21/2025. To apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the top of the page. Do not submit photographs with the application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - applicant must remove any images from badges, licenses, etc.
Application Deadline: 2025-11-21