FAQ's about Jobs

There are many paths to becoming a volcanologist. Most share a college or graduate school education in a scientific or technical field, but the range of specialties is very large. Training in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, biology, biochemistry, mathematics, statistics, engineering, atmospheric science, remote sensing, and related fields can be applied to the study of volcanoes and the interactions between volcanoes and the environment. The key ingredients are a strong fascination and boundless curiosity about volcanoes and how they work. From there, the possibilities are almost endless. Learn more about volcano training and schools.

Restless volcanoes can be very dangerous places, but it's possible to work safely around them if you're properly prepared. First and foremost, scientists protect themselves by working as a team to create a "safety net" in which all the important bases are covered. Like a professional driving team, a volcano-response team includes key staff who know the monitoring equipment extremely well, experts in several scientific disciplines who can interpret data coming back from the field, a spokesperson to communicate warnings and other information to public officials and the media, and a scientist-in-charge, or "driver," who assumes overall responsibility for team performance. As part of an experienced scientific team capable of quickly assessing the past behavior of a restless volcano, installing instruments to take its pulse, and analyzing all available information to understand what the volcano is doing, a modern volcanologist is prepared to work safely even in the hazardous environment of a restless volcano.

The USGS poster Geologic Hazards of Volcanoes depicts many of the hazards associated with a volcanic eruption

Hydrologists may be concerned with finding water supplies for cities or irrigated farms, or controlling river flooding or soil erosion. Or, they may work in environmental protection, helping to prevent or clean up pollution or locate sites for safe disposal of hazardous wastes. Hydrologists use many tools to do their work, from shovels to computers and mass spectrometers, and new tools are being developed every day.

A description of hydrology and what hydrologists do can be found at http://ut.water.usgs.gov/infores/hydrology.primer.html.

Many agencies (Federal, State, local, and private consulting firms) employ hydrologists, who do a wide variety of work. At the Federal level the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency probably employ the greatest number of hydrologists, but land management and regulatory agengies such as the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service, National Weather Bureau, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service also employ people who require knowledge of hydrologic processes. Most States also employ hydrologists in their Department of Natural Resources or Department of Environmental Quality, and more and more counties are employing hydrologists to keep track of water distribution and water use in their districts. The annual salary of hydrologists depends upon experience and acedemic training. Most "hydrologists" hired before about 1990 were actually engineers, geologists, biologists, chemists, or physicists. Today, many universities and colleges offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in hydrology or environmental science. These disciplines require extensive course work in math and science (geology, chemistry, physics, biology, calculus, etc.), but of equal importantance is the ability to communicate your scientific results both orally and in writing.

To get a good overview of the type of work our biologists are involved in, you are encouraged to "visit" our individual science centers by clicking on the interactive map at http://biology.usgs.gov/pub_aff/centers.html. If you wish to pursue an interest with a specific center, contact information is given at each Web site.

All positions with the U.S. Geological Survey are posted on the online Jobs Bulletin http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/index.asp.

As an unbiased, multidisciplinary science organization that focuses on biology, geography, geology, geospatial information, and water, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is dedicated to the timely, relevant, and impartial study of the landscape, our natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten us. Opportunities for diverse undergraduate and graduate students and faculty to participate in USGS science are available through the selected programs described in USGS GIP 80 Internships, Employment Opportunities, and Research Grants http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/80/GIP80.pdf.

Yes, all USGS vacancy announcements will be filled using OARS. If applying online poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Personnel Office prior to the closing date to speak to someone who can provide assistance for online submission.

Volunteers assist on some BRD programs. In all cases, first the volunteers are carefully trained. Then they are supervised by a Federal employee while they work. In addition, to ensure quality-control, their data are checked by BRD supervisors. Volunteers must abide by the same rules, regulations, policies, and laws as BRD employees.

"Volunteer for Science" is a USGS program that provides volunteer opportunities to citizens and non-citizens who reside in the United States and its territories. Online opportunities and applications can be found at http://interactive.usgs.gov/volunteer/index.asp.

As a United States Federal agency we are not permitted to hire non-U.S. citizens except in very rare circumstances. If you are a non-citizen you are not eligible to apply to positions in the USGS, and the Online Automated Recruitment System (OARS) will not refer your application to any vacancy you apply for.

For more information about citizenship requirements in United States Federal positions, you should contact the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. U.S. citizens living in other countries, naturalized U.S. citizens and any individuals who can prove dual U.S. citizenship may apply for and be considered for USGS positions.