Earth Scientist Jobs
Earth Scientist jobs are open across energy, environmental consulting, government agencies, and mining, from entry-level field roles to senior research and principal scientist positions, with common specializations in hydrogeology, geochemistry, and environmental assessment. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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You will serve as a Research Physical Scientist in the Earth Science Division at NASA's Ames Research Center. You will advance the goals of NASA's Science Mission Directorate and Earth Science to Action Strategy by conducting innovative research, enabling applications, and applying innovative data science and analysis techniques to solve challenging Earth Science problems.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Duties
- Lead as principal investigator or contribute as co-investigator to directed and competed research or application efforts addressing the goals of NASA’s Earth Science to Action Strategy and the Earth System Science Research Program.
- Deliver and contribute to new research outcomes and innovations using NASA’s Earth Science missions, suborbital campaigns, and commercial data acquisitions to expand knowledge of Earth system science in collaboration with NASA, academia and industry.
- Advance societal benefit of NASA’s Earth Science missions and commercial data investments through co-development of new applications with end user communities.
- Communicate scientific research and novel application outcomes as lead or high-ranking co-author to impactful publications or presentations.
- Lead or contribute to the formulation of new directed or competed research investigations and new application developments in collaboration with peers across NASA, academia and industry.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- This position may require a one-year probationary/trial period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
- You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
- Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
Qualifications
In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.
NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.
To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:
- Advancing or leading research investigations into Earth system spheres and processes;
- Developing new Earth science applications from global data imagery; and
- Communicating research and application outcomes through leading or co-authoring peer-reviewed publications and engaging through relevant conferences, symposia, and presentations to relevant stakeholders.
Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Super-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of super intelligent (SI) or SI-assisted tools during the application process.
Education
This position requires education or exceptional experience
Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:
a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.
If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.
Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered if they possess exceptional relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience, that clearly demonstrates significant full performance-level achievement directly related to the duties of this position.
Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.
Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.
Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.
Additional information
For purposes of Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) selection priority, well-qualified is defined as possessing knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position, as determined through SME review of the resume/application. If you have special priority selection rights under ICTAP, you must:
- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position.
- Exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for ICTAP as indicated in "Required Documents."
Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/.
Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.
Probationary Period
You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.
In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.
Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.
You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
- Earth Atmosphere
- Earth Science Applications Research
- Remote Sensing Technologies
- Oral Communication
- Research
- Written Communication
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
NASA considers 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.
NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.
Required Documents
All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised. All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.
A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. If you are using a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as a resume, it must meet all requirements listed above for a complete resume package.
Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:
- Classified or government sensitive information.
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
- Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
The following documents are required:
- Resume
- Transcript
As listed in the Education section above, this position has a basic education requirement.
To be found qualified, you must provide a copy of your college transcript that fully demonstrates you meet the requirements listed in the Education section. You may provide either an unofficial transcript or a copy of an official transcript. Failure to provide a complete copy of your college transcript that shows you have completed a required degree program or coursework may result in you being found not qualified.
You may need to submit other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans' preference information, etc.), based on your answers to the application questionnaire. When you apply, please verify you submit the appropriate documents. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.
If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration.
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click on the "Apply" link.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume (2 pages or fewer) and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be rejected by the system. Resumes submitted via other document types will not be forwarded to the hiring manager, nor will they be used in the review of your qualifications. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help you ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for this position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the 'Include Personal Information' section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.
Agency contact information
Moffett Blvd
Mountain View, CA 94035
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Throughout the process you will receive regular status updates through USAJOBS. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (Account Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: Application Status.
Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the hiring manager.
If you are selected, you will be notified by phone or email with a tentative job offer. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing a scheduled appointment, we may rescind a tentative job offer.
An official, written job offer will be issued once all requirements have been verified.
Overview
- 1301 General Physical Science
- Suitability/Fitness
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Find Earth Scientist JobsEarth Scientist Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in earth scientist jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in geology, geoscience, or a closely related earth science field
- Proficiency in GIS software such as ArcGIS for spatial data analysis and mapping
- Experience with field data collection including soil sampling, well installation, or rock core logging
- Familiarity with environmental regulations such as CERCLA, RCRA, or state equivalents
- Professional Geologist license or active pursuit of licensure in the relevant state
- Ability to interpret geochemical, hydrogeological, or geophysical datasets and prepare technical reports
Tips for Your Earth Scientist Job Search
Tailor your resume to field methods
Hiring managers in earth science scan quickly for the specific field and lab methods you've used, such as geophysical surveys, core logging, or geochemical sampling. Name these explicitly in your work history, not just in a skills list.
Highlight your software and data tools
Roles in environmental consulting and energy routinely require ArcGIS, Leapfrog, or Petrel. If you're proficient in any of these, list them prominently, because many applicant tracking systems filter candidates on software keywords before a human reviews the application.
Target openings that match your license status
Many state and federal earth scientist roles require a Professional Geologist license or are on a pathway that assumes you're pursuing one. Filter your search by whether a role lists PG licensure as required, preferred, or not mentioned, so you're not wasting applications.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists earth scientist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a site-specific work sample
Interviewers for earth scientist roles frequently ask you to walk through a past project, from field data collection through final deliverable. Have one concise example ready that shows your reasoning at each stage, not just the outcome.
Negotiate relocation terms before accepting
Many earth scientist roles are tied to specific field sites, regional offices, or state agency locations that may require relocation. Clarify relocation assistance, reporting expectations, and remote flexibility during the offer stage, before you give a final answer.
Earth Scientist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most earth scientists?
DYNAMIC ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, PC, UC San Diego, and X Development are hiring the most earth scientists right now, with openings concentrated in California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Environmental consulting firms and federal agencies tend to post the highest sustained volume of earth scientist roles nationwide.
How many earth scientist jobs are remote?
About 100% of earth scientist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements most common in data-heavy subspecialties like remote sensing, GIS analysis, and technical report writing. Roles that require physical fieldwork, site characterization, or laboratory analysis are almost always on-site or tied to a specific project location.
How do you become an earth scientist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in geology, geoscience, environmental science, or a related discipline, then build field experience through internships, REU programs, or entry-level technician roles. Many positions at consulting firms and agencies expect a master's degree for independent project work. Pursuing a Professional Geologist license in your state strengthens your candidacy significantly, especially for government and environmental compliance roles.
How do you get hired as an earth scientist with little experience?
Focus on roles titled field technician, geologic assistant, or environmental scientist I, which are designed for candidates early in their careers. Emphasize any fieldwork completed during coursework, volunteer mapping projects, or senior thesis research. Getting your EIT or beginning the PG licensure process signals commitment and sets you apart from other entry-level applicants who haven't started the credentialing path yet.
What does the earth scientist interview process look like?
Most earth scientist interviews begin with a phone or video screen focused on your technical background and project experience, followed by an in-person or panel interview where you walk through a past project in detail. Some employers include a technical exercise such as interpreting a cross-section, reviewing a boring log, or describing your approach to a site characterization problem. References are typically checked before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to earth scientist jobs?
You can find and apply to earth scientist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
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