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Supervisory Interdisciplinary Biologist/Hydrologist (GCMRC Chief)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
Southwest Biological Science Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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

This is an interdisciplinary position that may be filled as a Supervisory Biologist or Hydrologist and is being advertised concurrently with the following announcement:

Open to all U.S. citizens under: USGS-SAC-2022-11504555-DE-BLL

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/06/2022 to 06/23/2022
Salary
$111,521 to - $144,976 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel an average of 2 nights per month for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—relocation expenses are authorized.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
USGS-SAC-22-11498927-ST-BLL
Control number
658224100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current or former Federal employees w/perm comp status; OR those eligible under a special or noncomp appointing authority (e.g., disabled, Pathways Interns & Recent Grads who are elig for noncomp conversion, etc.); OR current or former employees who are serving, or previously served, on temp or term appt in a land mgmt agency; OR veterans with preference or have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after approx 3yrs or more of continuous active service.

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Duties

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As the Chief of the Grand Canyon Monitoring Research Center (GCMRC) within the Southwest Biological Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Provides Scientific and Technical leadership for the planning, development, and implementation of original research and monitoring of river ecosystems in the Southwest, especially the large main-stem segments of the Colorado River and its major tributaries. Leads GCMRC efforts to understand the effects of the operation of the Glen Canyon Dam on the physical, biological, and cultural resources of the Colorado River ecosystem in Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyons.
  • Serves as a principal scientific advisor to the Department of the Interior on matters of river science as related to the Colorado River and as a point-of-contact to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary's Designee for the GCDAMP (Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program) on the intermediate and long-range planning of research activities, program, and policies of GCMRC.
  • Promotes the incorporation of new findings into discussion of river management options and fosters the design and implementation of creative, integrated research to predict the outcomes of river management, including the operation of the Glen Canyon Dam. The incumbent continues to seek new ideas to refine understanding of dam operations for the purposes of the 1956 Colorado River Storage Project Act, the 1968 Colorado River Basin Project Act, and the 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act. Prepares the GCDAMP's Triennial work plan and associated budget and establishes priorities for the GCMRC in consultation with the AMWG, Technical Work Group (TWG), and independent scientific review panels.
  • Leads efforts to expand the SBSC River Ecosystem Science program within the Colorado River basin and other western river systems. Builds new collaborative relationships within the USGS and DOI and with federal, state, non-governmental, and academic partners. Works with the Center Director and other USGS staff to acquire funding from USGS Appropriations and external reimbursable sources.
  • Supervises senior research scientists and assures that initiation and management of research programs results in science that is relevant to the information needs of DOI and the GCDAMP's Adaptive Management Working Group (AMWG).
  • Plans and carries out a strategy for scientific information management in coordination with other similar activities within SBSC. Oversees database management and Geographic information System (GIS) activities, supports web-based delivery of science information and assures the preparation of high quality reports.
  • Coordinates the submission and review of proposals for grants and contracts to investigators and consultants. Contracts are typically awarded for specific work with deliverable products defined by the needs of monitoring goals and research investigations.
  • Performs the full gamut of supervisory duties which include but are not limited to directing and assigning work for subordinates, evaluating performance, coordinating training and development activities for employees, selecting applicants for new positions, recommending promotions, taking corrective and disciplinary actions, etc.
  • Operates a government vehicle as an incidental driver.
Physical Demands:
Most work is sedentary and in an office environment. Some field work may be necessary while planning and implementing projects, and periodically inspecting work environments. Field work involves extreme exertion, including hiking in Grand Canyon; withstanding both extreme heat and potential hypothermia conditions; walking over rough, rocky, or uneven terrain; lifting and carrying equipment and supplies; wading in streams in all types of weather; long hours; nighttime work; and off-road driving. Personal protective safety equipment is required to meet Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

Work Environment:
Most of the work is in an office setting, however, travel is required to attend meetings and conferences and make field reviews of employees/contractors/cooperators monitoring and data collection work. Field trips may be required to investigate sites during the formulation or execution of science program activities. Office work is performed in a comfortable, ventilated, and well-lighted environment, which requires working on a computer.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  3. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
  4. This position requires completion of a one year supervisory/managerial probationary period, if one has not previously been completed.
  5. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
  6. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
  7. If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure.
  8. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

  • If selected you may be asked to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as those related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
  • Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
  • If selected you will be required to provide a copy of your valid state driver's license and current driving record.
  • 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

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for GS-401, BIOLOGIST: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist, all grade levels.

A. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

*OR*

B. Combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position), 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)

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for GS-1315, HYDROLOGIST: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Hydrologist, 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 physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in physics.

**OR

B. A combination of education and experience-course work as shown in "A" above (30 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses as specified in "A" above which must include at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent in physics), 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)

For GS-14:

In addition to the basic education requirement listed above, applicant's must possess one year of appropriate specialized experience in biology, ecology, hydrology, or a related field of science associated with research of large rivers is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.

Examples of GS-13 level work may include: 1) design, development, and conduct of large-scale and long-term biological, ecological, or hydrological studies of large rivers; 2) effective planning, organizing, and managing of complex multi-faceted work plans and budgets within available resources and often short time frames; 3) independent planning, organizing, and managing of comprehensive large river studies to provide an understanding of the effects of environmental and anthropogenic perturbations, particularly the effects of dams, in these study areas; 4) applying scientific information in adaptive natural resource management and complex policy-making; 5) serving as a technical resource on river science and management issues; 6) promoting and facilitating collaborative efforts with Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribes, and academic institutions in the context of competing or conflicting mandates or values; 7) production and review of manuscripts for submission as scientific agency reports or to peer-reviewed scientific journals; and 8) management and leadership of senior and junior-level scientists and technical personnel associated with ecological, biological, or hydrological studies.

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

Other 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 Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
  • THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Agency Benefits:

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; Program/Project Management; Leadership and Supervision; Plan and Organize Work; Goal-setting/Decision making; Interpersonal Communication; Financial Management; Pressure/Deadlines; Oral and Written Communication; Regulations/Procedural Guidance; Public Information/Outreach; Teamwork; Compile/Present Scientific Data; and Technical Reports.


--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.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

Additional Assessment Required: If you meet the eligibility and basic qualification requirements for this position a subject-matter-expert will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position

--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 the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11498927

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