Geographer

Summary

This vacancy is for a Geographer position located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Geographer, 0150-11/12, FPL GG-12 positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Duties

• Uses geographic concepts, tools, and systems to update a national geospatial database, including address, boundary, and feature data and/or support the creation of geographic and cartographic products.
• Writes technical documents and conduct discussions, meetings, trainings, and presentations with internal and external stakeholders regarding geospatial products and services.
• Manages geographic projects by developing and monitoring project requirements, software specifications, project schedules, identifying and analyzing problems, making recommendations, and implementing solutions to achieve objectives.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Geographer, GG-0150-11/12, you must meet the minimum and/or basic qualification requirements listed below. Minimum Education Requirement: Degree: geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND Specialized Experience: For the GG-11, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GG-09 or equivalent in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Using geography and geographic tools and concepts to perform geographic and/or geospatial analysis and geographic operations related to geocoding and/or spatial updates and coordinates; working with geographic information systems and address list development; preparing and writing technical documents, specifications, guidelines, and letters; participating in discussions, meetings, and presentations; using office software such as Excel or other spreadsheet software to manipulate and analyze data and generate reports and presentations; and using automated tools to track projects and design and run queries in databases. OR Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR Combination of education and experience Specialized Experience: For the GG-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GG-11 or equivalent in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Using geography and geographic tools and concepts to perform geographic and/or geospatial analysis and geographic operations related to geocoding and/or spatial updates and coordinates; developing and writing technical documents, specifications, guidelines, and letters; conducting trainings, discussions, meetings, and presentations of complex technical information; managing technical projects, project plans and supporting documentation of geographic operations involving multiple stakeholders; and leading teams, setting priorities and project schedules. Education: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. 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. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the date you submit your application to complete the assessment.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/11/2026 or once 150 applications received to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date or once 150 applications received. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USA JOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit USAJOBS Help Center - How to see your application and job status. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online; however, if you are unable to apply online, please email the agency contact.