Geographer (Recent Graduate)

This vacancy is for a Geographer (Recent Graduate) position in the Geography Division 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 (Recent Graduate), 0150-7/9, FPL GS-12, positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Basic Entry Requirements for All Grade Levels: You must be a Recent College Graduates from qualifying institutions within two years of degree or certification (Veterans precluded by their military service obligation, will have up to six years to apply).Students with a transcript with a degree confer date on or before September 30, 2026, will be considered for the Recent Graduate Program. Graduation/expected graduation date MUST be indicated on your resume. NOTE: To show proof of meeting the Basic Entry Requirements, all applicants MUST submit a copy of their college transcripts. See the Required Documents section for more information. Minimum Education Requirement: Individual Occupational Requirement for all grades: 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education In addition to meeting the minimum education requirement listed above, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below for each grade level. GS-07: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For the GS-07 you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: using geography and geographic tools or concepts to assist with geographic or geospatial analysis or geographic operations related to geocoding or spatial updates and coordinates; assisting with the preparation of project documentation such as project plans or requirements; using automated tools (such as Microsoft Excel) to enter and/or analyze data or generate reports; serving as a member of a team to complete a geographic project. OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-07 BASED ON EDUCATION: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement is defined as:(1) Class standing -- You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses, (2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- You must have 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or (3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- You are a member of one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/) GS-09: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For the GS-09, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: using geography and geographic tools or concepts to perform geographic and/or geospatial analysis and geographic operations related to geocoding and/or spatial updates; assisting with geographic information systems and address list development; preparing and writing documents, specifications, guidelines, and letters; using office software to generate reports and presentations; using automated technology (such as Microsoft Excel) to manipulate and analyze data and prepare reports; using automated tools to track projects and run queries in databases. OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-09 BASED ON EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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, 08/25/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application. Use 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. Update technical documents and participate in discussions, meetings, trainings, and presentations with internal and external stakeholders regarding geospatial products and services. Track geographic project requirements, software specifications, and project schedules.