technician assistant

it technician

geologist

contractor

scientist

US Geological Survey

Coworkers are very smart and good people. There is flexibility in hours with some teleworking. Expect to be in the field at least half the time and more if there isn't enough people. Expect for the first few years to get raises every year that is considered "promotions" but don't expect much opportunity to actually change jobs. Good benefits but most people within a couple years of starting consider roommates or second jobs due to pay. The GS pay scale under RUS is the set pay (you can Google it). Start at a 5 could go up to a GS 9. Usually a small percent increase raise most years to account for inflation. By the time you get to GS 9 level where you actually make decent pay you are capped and can't really go higher unless there a really long time (like 20 years), become a supervisor, or change positions. Salary is not government funded so it is more difficult to get project work. No GIS work. Not much biology work. Not much actual Geology besides hydrology and water chemistry. Ran like a business and less like a place of science. Overtime is rare unless for flooding. Expect to travel especially for surface water and some for water quality including overnight for up to a week. There is a good workplace culture. People get along well and events are encouraged. There is a yearly Christmas party and a yearly chili cookoff with social hour events outside work several times a year.

Having had the opportunity to work within the team, I can affirm that the work culture fostered is exceptional. The leadership and dedication within our team have cultivated a vibrant and supportive environment where every team member feels valued and empowered.

Consistently, effective communication is a hallmark, ensuring smooth interactions with both customers and colleagues. Our team member exhibits a remarkable ability to handle challenging situations with empathy and professionalism, setting a positive tone for the entire team.

Moreover, their proficiency in technology and problem-solving is evident in their daily tasks. Whether troubleshooting equipment issues or utilizing software programs, they approach every task with diligence and efficiency.

In terms of management, they excel in overseeing administrative tasks, scheduling, and employee training, ensuring operational excellence. Their commitment to punctuality and top-notch customer service reflects their dedication to the team's success.

Additionally, their wealth of experience in physical labor and security protocols demonstrates their versatility and willingness to contribute in various capacities.

Overall, our team member embodies the values of teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement, making them an invaluable asset to any organization. It has been a pleasure working alongside them, and I highly recommend them for any future endeavors.

I started out working solely as a GIS and remote sensing specialist but the hey day of mapping in the USGS came to an end when I arrived and it became a constant search for new projects in order to pay salaries.  Three different re-organizations occurred during my tenure, each bringing in a new manager with different goals. I finally landed in a long term project, the National Geologic Map Database, but it was no longer primarily in GIS work although it did come in useful at times.  My job became primarily database management, web design, and programming.  Several employees tried the transition but were unable to.  I found that our limited resources made the job much more difficult as we were always trying to accomplish our goals on the cheap.  We used open source operating systems and software almost all the time.  I was self-taught on all the coding and programming because we had no funds for training, with the exception of Oracle database management.  I did enjoy working with the team members and project leader though and feel we did a great job given our budgetary limitations.

I started a student in an office that was what could be called a "good old boys network", but by the time I left (some 25 years later)  It has become anything but.   

The USGS was a wonderful organization that is hampered by it's attachment to the federal government.  Thus, as you go higher in the organization you begin to run into typical governmental BS.   However, in the field offices, great things are happening. A highly motivated, and professional work force works together to collect data and do great science.  

If you want a great job that doesn't feel governmental, go to work in the field offices. If you want to be bogged down with typical governmental bureaucracy and typical  inefficiency, then go work in the HQ.  


Great place to have a scientific career. You'll have more hurdles to jump through than your academic counterparts (code review, training, security, internal manuscript and proposal review), however the culture is much less toxic than academia, you have (or should have) a sense of duty to your work for the nation, and there's more job security. Get the GEHA Elevated Plus health insurance and don't look back. Best healthcare I've ever had, havent paid a cent for specialists. Zero deductible zero copay plans are amazing.

Once you get higher, you'll see the slow as molasses cogs that gum up the system. Though the beauracy at the big contractors is worse, much worse in many days.

It isn't fun to have congress punish the 'slow' and 'inefficient' government, then simultaneously layer on new beauratic process veiled as 'invreasing transparency and oversight' - there is a working and intended brain drain by certain politicians on the federal government. On the flip side, our 'products' are very high quality, trusted by the world, and make a real difference.

-My supervisor commuted from Delaware and did seem to know anything about SAP, so I had to learn everything via Instant Message at other centers around the country.

-It really seemed like management wanted to make things as difficult as possible. They wouldn't get their subordinates time sheets in on time, they had little groups of people who out of sheer preference got to take advantage of perks like telecommuting and cell phone plans...but if you weren't on the nice list you didn't get anything.

-Many of the responsibilities on my job description I was not permitted to do by my supervisor. Later I found out she wanted her old buddy back who took a tour with Greenpeace for a year...I guess I was just a fill-in. No wonder everything was so difficult.  I cannot believe an employer would bend the rules to their advantage at the expense of someone's family.

No job has such a high level of purpose: to monitor our nation's water resources. The work is challenging in a wonderful way. And before January of 2025, the job security had been the best in the industry. But funding has been declining dramatically over the past 15 years. As a project manager, you will be pulled apart, trying to provide at least minimal service to your client (we mostly work like a business) while lacking funds and being constrained by policy and bureaucratic restrictions. To provide adequate service, you'll need to regularly commit your personal time on top of regular working hours. Hydro-techs in data collection within the office have a much better working situation. Supervisors appear to have it even worse than project managers as they are helpless in trying to keep things running well, while having to comply to unfunded mandates, and other major constraints that undermine the agency's ability to survive.

The USGS maintains a flexible workplace environment, however that may be dependent on the supervisor.

The science that is conducted is extremely interesting and often times assists in forming federal and state policy.

As with most government agencies at this point funding decreases on an almost yearly basis. This means that unless an individual is a permanent federal employee they are at risk for losing their employment. With a facility of about a 100 workers, we have lost at least 20 employees in the last year. Most of these employees have not been replaced because it cannot be afforded. The moral at this particular facility is not the best at this time.

Competition between Federal managers to maintain and/or grow programs was a continuous challenge, as was meeting all objectives with shrinking staff.  

Learned multitasking, technical problem solving, highly efficient resource allocation, the extremely high value of technological agility and cross-training of staff, that motivated staff that understands the reason for a tight deadline really can make near-miracles happen.

The most enjoyable part of the job was growing staff members.  In the military and the private sector, people responded very well when given responsibility, the training and resources to be successful, and recognition for jobs well done.  I'm very proud at the success rate of my staff over the years when competing against their peers for promotions.

The USGS is a great place to be a scientist if you are interested in applied and theoretical research without the hindrance of working for a regulatory agency. As the desginated science bureau for the Department of the Interior, opportunity abounds to work with other Federal, State, and local governments, as well as international agencies and industry. The majority of employees are advanced degree scientist in the earth sciences and environmental engineering fields, with an interest in preserving, restoring, and enhancing our environment by providing a robust understanding of the occurrence of the nations natural resources.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Technician assistant 3 salaries reported	$23.53 per hour
It technician 1 salary reported	$80,432 per year
Geologist 3 salaries reported	$95,667 per year
Contractor 4 salaries reported	$36.79 per hour
Scientist 6 salaries reported	$80,833 per year

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