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Research Geologist - GS-1350-12/13 -(DEU-PERM-JM)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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

Salary:

GS-12: $84,118 (Step 01) to $109,358 (Step 10);

GS-13: $100,027 (Step 01) to $130,039 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. 

Open to current or former Federal employees: DEN-2020-0234

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/08/2020 to 05/22/2020
Salary
$84,118 to - $130,039 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
Lakewood, CO
Few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Overnight travel of up to 5 nights per month may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses have been authorized for this position.
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-2020-0233
Control number
567765600

Duties

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As a Research Geologist within the Central Energy Resources Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Evaluate and conduct research on structural processes that impact petroleum generation, migration, and accumulation in priority basins.
  • Collaborate with other USGS Energy Resource Program (ERP) scientists to support ongoing efforts to further our understanding of petroleum systems and undiscovered geologic energy resources.
  • Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team of USGS ERP scientists that conducts undiscovered geologic resource assessments.
  • Prepare, complete, document, and disseminate results of research through a series of presentations and peer-reviewed publications which advance the knowledge of structural processes and petroleum systems.

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?

  • 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.
  • If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification of compliance upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public
    disclosure.
  • You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties.  Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements:  (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record.  If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license and a copy of your driving record.
  • 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.

  1. 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

  1. 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)


GS-12

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement listed above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify: 

-Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Geology or an appropriate field of study that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work, OR

-SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

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 designing and executing complex geologic studies that involved intensive investigations into geologic processes. This work typically involved conventional methods and techniques though it 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 fundamental principles of geology and their application, and the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty. The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge and the technical ability to conduct research into how structural processes affect various elements of petroleum systems. OR

-Combination of successfully completed graduate level education beyond the second year of study in an appropriate field of study and appropriate specialized experience, as described above.

GS-13

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. Examples include: planning, executing, and reporting on original or ongoing geologic studies requiring innovative approaches to solving new problems that address geologic processes operating in petroleum systems. The complexity of this work typically required extensive modification and adaptation of standard procedures, methods, and techniques, and the development of new methods and techniques to address geologic problems for which guidelines or precedents were not applicable. At this level, Geologists have extensive knowledge of the principles of geology and highly developed ability in their application, and wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility. The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge and the technical ability to understand and integrate various elements of petroleum systems into structural research that focuses on geologic energy resources. Additionally, the applicant must have the demonstrated ability to apply global tectonic and structural concepts to regional basin analysis and evaluation of petroleum systems, interpret seismic data, and construct structural models.

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.

How You will be Evaluated:

--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:

  • Collect Scientific Data
  • Compile/Analyze Data
  • Creativity
  • Plan & Organize Work
  • Scientific Knowledge
  • Attention to Detail
  • Problems Solving
  • Teamwork
  • Pressure/Deadlines
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Technical Reports
  • Written Communication
  • Speech Writing 
  • Disseminate data

--Basis of rating:  Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified and Qualified. 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, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

--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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