This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/616703600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
What General Information Do I Need to Know About This Position?
There is only one vacancy that may be filled at any of the following locations below and pay will be based on duty location of selectee and may vary based on locality:
Anchorage, AK: $86,657 (step 1) - $112,659 (step 10); The selectee will be entitled to a cost of living allowance of 2.86% in addition to the basic salary.
SUMMARY CONTINUED BELOW IN DUTIES SECTION
10/08/2021 to 01/06/2022
$79,901 - $124,884 per year
Pay range is shown with lowest possible salary and highest. Pay will be based on duty location of selectee and may vary based on locality.
GS 12
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 4 nights a month for this position.
No
Term - 2 years
Full-time
Excepted
12
No
No
USGS-SAC-21-11244337-MNH-VN
616703600
Open to all qualified candidates who meet the eligibility requirements of the Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Because this fellowship is a U.S. Government position, preference must be given to U.S. citizens. Citizens of other nations may be considered under certain circumstances, i.e., when there are no qualified U.S. citizen applicants available. In those instances, the USGS may consider making an offer to a non-citizen provided applicable laws and regulations are followed.
SUMMARY CONTINUED:
Hilo, HI: $79,901 (step 1) - $103,857 (step 10); The selectee will be entitled to a cost of living allowance of 4.42% in addition to the basic salary.
Mountain View, CA: $94,523 (step 1) - $122,884 (step 10)
Vancouver, WA: $82,694 (step 1) - $107,507 (step 10)
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
DUTIES
Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Research Opportunity # 20-16: Exploring User Needs and Community Engagement for Next-Generational Volcano Products, Maps, and Tools
The USGS Volcano Hazard Program's (VHP) Next Generation Volcano Hazard Assessment (NGVHA) project encompasses numerous parallel research efforts focused on establishing a model for producing consistent and comprehensive volcanic hazards assessments for high-priority U.S. volcanoes. In order to update outdated assessments with the latest research and techniques, the NGVHA project needs for usability and user needs investigations that will support production of hazard- and risk-reduction products efforts with interagency partners, Sovereign Tribal Nations, and communities potentially affected by eruptions. While VHP experts often have longstanding relationships with and a wealth of knowledge about communities in volcanic areas, most are physical scientists, and few have had formal training in social science or allied fields. Additionally, while scientists at individual Volcano Observatories have successfully conducted targeted usability studies for certain volcanic areas, the VHP lacks social science capacity (commensurate to expertise in physical sciences) to move beyond "one-off" efforts, identify and leverage successes, and build programmatic consistency. This dearth makes it difficult to conduct research and evaluations aimed at making VHP's products, communication, and other services more accessible, just, inclusive, equitable, useful, and usable for the diverse communities and groups that we serve.
VHP is responsible for carrying out the mandates of the National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS), a Congressionally authorized (but not yet appropriated) initiative. The primary directive of NVEWS is to expand and update VHP's monitoring infrastructure and eruption forecasting and warning capabilities to appropriately cover the spectrum of volcanic threats. "Maintain[ing] and improv[ing] methods of product generation, standardization and distribution" is a fundamental component of the NVEWS mandate. Research toward developing evidence-based communication strategies, user needs assessments, and product evaluations is a critical step toward fulfilling this obligation. These efforts will accomplish multiple VHP mission goals and contribute to achieving the science goals set by the Natural Hazard Mission Area (NHMA) guidance and the USGS Science for a Risky World report (CC-1444) or "Risk Plan."
Proposed Duty Station: Vancouver, WA; Anchorage, AK; Mountain View, CA; Hilo, HI
Areas of Ph.D: Social Science, Hazard Science, or related fields (candidates holding a Ph.D. in other disciplines but with knowledge and skills relevant to the Research Opportunity may be considered).
Qualifications: Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: Research Social Scientist, Research Sociologist.
(This type of research is performed by those who have backgrounds for the occupations stated above. However, other titles may be applicable depending on the applicant's background, education, and research proposal. The final classification of the position will be made by the Human Resources Specialist.)
Physical/Environmental Demands:
Work is usually performed in an office setting. The work area normally involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices or meeting and training rooms.
Key Requirements:
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
General Information
The Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to conduct concentrated research in association with USGS scientists, often as a final element to their formal career preparation. The Program also provides: 1) research experiences that enhance the scientific stature and credentials of the Fellows; and 2) scientific expertise to assist in the implementation of the USGS Strategic Plan and the science strategy of its programs. Mendenhall Fellows are expected to publish their results in peer-reviewed scientific outlets.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be considered for these opportunities, candidates must:
(1) have successfully completed a Ph.D. in a field related to the described Research Opportunity no earlier than October 8, 2016 (5 years before the announcement opening date); OR
(2) if close to completion, have all Ph.D. requirements completed and must submit proof of completion prior to receiving an official start date;
(3) meet the qualification requirements described in the Research Opportunity. The research proposal submitted must demonstrate that the applicant is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties for the specific Research Opportunity.
Start Date and Completion of PhD:
It is anticipated that this position will start no later than March 2023. The person selected must have all PhD requirements completed and MUST submit proof of completion prior to receiving an official start date. Exceptions may be made for a later start date on a case-by-case basis.
NOTICE TO NON-CITIZENS
Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. A Federal agency is permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position, AND the non-citizen meets the appropriation act and immigration laws. Read the information provided in the following link. If a non-citizen does not meet the appropriation act and immigration laws, then they cannot be considered for this Mendenhall Opportunity. Please contact the person under Agency Contact Information for questions about eligibility and further assistance. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/.
Foreign Education. You must provide proof, if the foreign education determines your qualifications for the position. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if the applicant can show that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide such evidence when applying for Federal jobs. If selected, you will be required to provide official proof that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. 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 .
You must meet all eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Human Resources Office will provide the hiring official with application material for review and consideration. The Research Advisor and/or hiring official will review the application material and contact candidates for interviews as needed. A subject matter expert panel will be convened. If an applicant is chosen for an opportunity and meets the qualification requirements, the Human Resources Office will contact the applicant and make a firm job offer. For Research Opportunities with multiple duty stations, the selection of the official duty station will be made by the USGS.
Applicants must submit the following for each individual Research Opportunity for which they are applying.
Applications should be prepared as follows (preferably in PDF): 1) Research proposal ONLY; 2) Budget estimate; 3) Resumé or CV; 4) Educational transcripts; 5) List of literature references cited in the proposal, if applicable; and 6) supporting veterans documentation, if applicable.
Clicking on the "APPLY HERE" button next to each Research Opportunity in the Table of Research Opportunities will take applicants to the USAJOBS application for that particular Opportunity. For technical assistance for submitting an application through USAJOBS, contact the HR Specialist listed as the Point of Contact listed in this announcement.
PDF conversion tools are readily available via the Internet. Some examples can be accessed at the following sites: http://www.ps2pdf.com/ http://www.pdf995.com/ Disclaimer: Hypertext links and other references to non-USGS products and services are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or warranty, express or implied, by the USGS, DOI, or U.S. Government, as to their suitability, content, usefulness, functioning, completeness, or accuracy. In addition, documents that do not easily lend themselves to conversion may be faxed. Contact the appropriate Human Resources Office to make arrangements.
If a complete application package is not submitted, the applicant will not be considered for the position. Requests for deadline extensions will not be granted. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the successful conveyance of the application package. Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail upon receipt. Application packages must be received by 11:59 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement. It is against the law to submit applications for employment using Government paid postage envelopes or mail services (18 USC 1719). Such application packages will not be considered. Application material will not be returned.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If an applicant is chosen for an opportunity and meets the qualification requirements, the Human Resources Office will contact the applicant and make a firm job offer.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/616703600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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