Geographer

Full Job Description

This vacancy is for a Geographer position in the Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Field Division, Regional Office locations. Few positions are available in the Chicago and Atlanta locations.

This announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 03/25/2026 . To qualify for the position of Geographer, at GS-0150-11/12, you must meet the 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.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service.

Experience for this position includes: Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and computing tools to conduct and evaluate geographic research, spatial analysis and mapping; examining data collection specifications, reviewing statistical methodology, and identifying potential problems in data collection; performing quality evaluations of address files and acquired address lists from the community to improve the effectiveness of geographic support materials; and developing technical documents and technical presentations on geographic and/or demographic topics for a variety of audiences.

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: 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

For the GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service.

Experience for this position includes: Developing improved methods for using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and computing tools to conduct geographic research, spatial analysis, and mapping; establishing quality standards for the components of a geographic system or project and determining methodology for verifying the overall consistency and validity of data and products; performing technical reviews of official geographic, demographic, housing, and/or economic data for patterns, trends, consistency, and relationship to project activities; and preparing technical documents and conducting technical presentations on geographic and/or demographic topics for a variety of audiences.

Education: There is no substitution of education for specialized 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 closing date of this announcement, 03/25/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application. Major Duties:

• Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, geographic concepts, tools, and systems to update databases, perform geospatial analysis, and/or produce geographic and cartographic products.
• Reviews proposals, plans, and specifications for geographic operations; studies and critiques statistical methodology and general data collection specifications as they affect geographic support functions.
• Design, develop, and implement GIS and other geographic methods to prepare spatial databases, and map population patterns.
• Analyzes and reports on results of studies of population patterns; writes reports, methods documents, and articles, and creates technical presentations for meetings and conferences.