U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Contact Information
Headquarters
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20314-1000
Phone: 202/761-0008
Website: http://www.usace.army.mil/working.html
Recruiting Contact: Contact local Corps district offices

Location of Offices/Employment
Headquarters: Washington, DC
Division Offices: Boston, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Vicksburg, Dallas, Portland,
Los Angeles, Honolulu
Laboratories: Hanover, NH, Vicksburg, MS, Springfield, IL, Alexandria, VA
Plus forty-four major district offices, domestic and foreign
Plus various project field offices, domestic and foreign

Number of Geoscientists Employed
B.S. employed: 205
M.S. employed: 87
Ph.D. employed: 21

Environmental geology and hydrogeology: 201
Exploration and investigation: 198
Rock/soil foundation treatment: 106
Rock mechanics (stability, reinforcement, blasting): 70
Concrete and rock construction materials: 35
Shore protection and coastal geology: 41
Seismology: 13

Company/Agency Description
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the world's largest full-service engineering organization, with 35,000 civilian employees. Activities include planning, design, construction, operation, and engineering management in the following areas: inland and coastal navigation, flood- and storm-damage reduction, military construction, environmental restoration, hydropower, water resources and recreation, disaster response, design and construction management support for Defense and other Federal agencies.

Career Description
Geologists are simultaneously involved in the investigation, planning, design, construction, and maintenance of numerous projects within a region. This responsibility may last from a few months to many years depending upon the size, phase/stage, geologic needs, etc., of a project. Responsibilites are divided between office (75%) and field (25%). Geologic field activities are usually performed within the host office's geographic region of responsibility. Almost all geologists are hired on a permanent basis. Career progression for a Corps geologist ranges from entry level, GS-7/9, through senior geologist, GS-12/13. Laboratory research positions may be graded slightly higher. Opportunities exist to advance into higher-level management positions.

Recruiting Process
The turnover rate for Corps geologists is generally lower than for their private-sector counterparts; consequently, there is no continual recruitment process for geologists. Recruiting and hiring are based on the immediate needs of the local district office. Contact local Corps district offices directly or www.usace.army.mil/working.html.

Summer Internships
The availability of summer internships and co-op opportunities is based on the immediate needs of the local district office. Contact local Corps district office or www.usace.army.mil/working.html.

Human Resources
The Federal Government benefit package includes eleven paid holidays, annual and sick leave accrual, family medical leave, matching funds up to 11% paid by the Government toward the employee's retirement account, various PPO and HMO medical plans (Government pays up to 75% of cost), basic life insurance partially paid by the Government. Flex time, flex schedule, and alternate work-station programs are available at most offices. Life-long technical training programs are provided by the Corps. Long-term education leading toward an advanced degree is encouraged, but competitive, with reimbursement. Availability for temporary or permanent assignment to other offices is competitive as the need arises. Opportunities exist for temporary or long-term overseas assignments to support military construction activities.