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Research Geologist, GS-1350-12 (DE-MW)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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

Salary: $84,118 (Step 01) to $109,358 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/01/2020 to 04/10/2020
Salary
$84,118 to - $109,358 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Golden, CO
Few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - May be required to travel 3-5 nights per month
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15 - The full performance level for a Research position is GS-15; however, promotion eligibility is dependent upon the scientific contributions of the incumbent as evaluated by a peer panel.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
DEN-2020-0214
Control number
564514700

Duties

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As a Research Geologist within the Geologic Hazards Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

Incorporating fault source parameter information into modern probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA);

Applying advanced probability theory and statistics to probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA);

Assessing, compiling, and synthesizing complex geologic and geophysical investigations to curate and distribute information focused on earthquake related hazards;

Synthesizing paleoseismic datasets to yield critical new insight into earthquake chronologies, fault segmentation, and the patterns of earthquake ruptures; and, 

Presenting research results orally and in published peer review scientific journals.

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.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

  • This vacancy is limited to the first 30 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered.  You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached.  Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
  • 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.

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Geologist, all grade levels.

A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in geology. In addition to the geology course work included in the degree, it must also have included or been supplemented by 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography.

**OR

B. A combination of education and experience-course work as shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in geology plus 20 additional semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses as specified in "A" above), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in geology that is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service.  Examples of such experience could include planning and executing complex geologic studies, which usually involved intensive investigations into recognized phenomena. This work typically involved conventional methods & techniques though it required going beyond clear precedents, and required adapting methods to the problems at hand and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, Geologists have a very good knowledge of the principles of geology and their application, and the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty.

  • 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: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

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.
  • 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.

--Basis of Rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. If you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements of this position, you will be contacted via email after the vacancy announcement closes and given 10 calendar days to submit narrative responses that address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of this position. You will be rated and ranked based on the information you provide in your resume as well as the responses you submit to the required KSAs. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied. The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position are as follows:


1. Knowledge of and experience with incorporation of fault source parameters in the context of modern probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). List your significant publications associated with PSHA work, and clarify your particular role in any multi-person investigation or study.


2.  Applies advanced probability theory and statistics to probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). Describe your knowledge and experience of modern probability theory and statistics in the context of PSHA. Clarify your particular role in any multi-person investigation or
study, and any publications or reports that have resulted.


3.  Ability to assess and compile complex information from geologic and geophysical investigations to curate, ingest, and distribute information focused on earthquake-related hazards. Please describe your experience curating, ingesting, and distributing geologic and geophysical data. Clarify your particular role in any multi-person investigation or study, and any publications or reports that have resulted.


4. Knowledge of and experience with principles and practices of modern research methods in studies of faulting in late Pleistocene and Holocene time, including methods in tectonic geomorphology and remote sensing. Please describe your experience and role in conducting these types of studies in a range of tectonic settings including the research methods applied, novel approaches developed, and your record of reports, presentations, and publications that disseminate research result.


5.  Ability to communicate research results and interpretations to colleagues, non-scientists and the general public. This includes presentation of research results and technical materials to technical and non-technical audience including both oral and written forms of communication via presentations at scientific or technical meetings, technical committee work, and communications to the media and general public. Please document your level of experience in presenting research results and technical materials to technical and non-technical audiences; consider both oral and written forms of communication. Include any presentations at scientific or technical meetings, technical committee work, and communications to the media or general public.

--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.


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