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Geophysicist, GS-1313-09/11 (MP-YBD)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Why Is It Great To Work For The USGS?
Embark on an exciting future! From the peaks of the highest mountains to the depths of the deepest seas, the U.S. Geological Survey has career opportunities that make a difference in both the lives of others and in the environment. Would you like to join the more than 10,000 scientists, technicians, and support staff of the USGS who are working in more than 400 locations throughout the United States? Apply today! As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. The diversity of our scientific expertise enables us to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial, timely, and relevant scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers related to: the health of our ecosystems and environment; natural hazards that threaten us; natural resources we rely on, and; the impact of climate and land-use changes. For more information about the USGS please visit http://www.usgs.gov

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is located on the rim of Kilauea Caldera, in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawai'i. It is somewhat remote with the nearest city being Hilo, which is 30 miles away.

The incumbent of this position is entitled to a cost of living allowance (COLA) of 5.08% for 2018 in addition to salary.

Open to all U.S. citizens: SAC-2018-0069

There is one vacancy; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
01/12/2018 to 02/02/2018
Salary
$51,940 to - $81,697 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09 - 11
Location
Hawaii National Park, HI
FEW vacancies
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Overnight travel of 1-2 nights per month may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses are authorized.
Appointment type
Permanent - Full-Time
Work schedule
Full-time - Permanent
Service
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
SAC-2018-0071
Control number
488545800

This job is open to

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Duties

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As a Geophysicist within the Volcano Science Center, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (VSC, HVO), some of your specific duties will include:

- Analyzes complex digitally recorded seismograms for event source type, phase arrival identification, onset time, and amplitude.

- Computes, reviews, evaluates, and interprets earthquake location, magnitude, and other source parameters for earthquakes in Hawai‘i.

- Maintains the HVO earthquake catalog to ensure completeness and consistency of reviewed earthquake solutions in a timely manner.

- Prepares complex technical reports of monitoring data and results, contributes to scientific publications, and presents synthesis and analysis of seismic data trends.

- Participates in the HVO duty seismologist rotation, responds to seismic alarms, reviews data streams to identify signs of volcanic unrest, and assists with large earthquake response.

- Refines or develops adapted methods of data processing, visualization, analysis, backup and archival software tools.

At the GS-09 grade level, more assistance, instruction, guidance, oversight, review and supervision would be provided.

- This position requires a valid state driver's license and safe driving record. Operates a government motor vehicle as an incidental driver.

- This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. Occasional fieldwork may require moderate to strenuous activities such as hiking over rough, rocky, or uneven terrain, digging, lifting, carrying equipment and supplies and being a passenger in a helicopter.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
  • More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
  • Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
  • Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

  • Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
  • A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
  • Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
  • If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

  • For information on basic qualifications, which includes information on whether you may substitute education for specialized experience, please click on the following: http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/sw/quals/1313.html.
  • In addition to the basic education requirements, you must have 1-year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service or substituting education as described below.
GS-09
One year of appropriate professional experience in geophysics that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service.

Examples of such experience include performing a variety of observations, computations, compilations and analyses in assisting higher level Geophysicists in carrying out geophysical assignments. This work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures, and would have required a good general working knowledge of the principles and the theories of geophysics or physics, and mathematics and a good knowledge of the methods and techniques involved in the investigation and measurement of geophysical phenomena.

GS-11
One year of appropriate professional experience in geophysics that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service.

Examples of such experience include independent responsibility for a well-defined study or for a phase of a larger study that required the planning and carrying out of routine geophysical work. This work would have required the individual to select and make minor adaptations to procedures and accepted practices and handle unexpected conditions arising in the normal course of the work. At this level, Geophysicists have a sound working knowledge of the principles of geophysics and the ability to independently perform moderately difficult and responsible scientific work.
  • You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

  • 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 experience.
  • Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html.

Additional information

  • Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
  • Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
  • Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
  • USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
  • The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
  • DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
  • THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

--Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies:

Scientific Knowledge, Collect Scientific Data, Technology Application, Compute/Analyze Data, Disseminate Data, Information Management, Scientific Instrumentation and Interpersonal Communication.

--Basis of rating: You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you are eligible, you will receive a numerical rating based on your on-line responses to the application questions. These responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible.

--NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.
To preview questions please click here.

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