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USGS Mendenhall Research Fellowship. RO 22-11. Economic Potential for Select Critical Minerals..

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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

Salary: $94,199 (Step 01) to $122,459 (Step 10).
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

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

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/05/2023 to 11/01/2023
Salary
$94,199 to - $122,459 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Reston, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 2 years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
USGS-RES-23-12102833-MNH-DW
Control number
746979000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

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.

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Duties

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Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Research Opportunity #: 22-11. Regional economic potential for select critical minerals, Deep Creek-Tintic Belt, greater west-central Utah

Topaz-bearing rhyolites, such as those associated with volcanogenic Be deposits, are of resource significance for a wide range of additional rare-metal commodities in a variety of deposit types. Their established economic importance includes (1) volcanogenic deposits of Be, U, Sn, and fluorite, (2) fluorite- and silver-rich base metal ores, and (3) topaz-rich porphyry molybdenum ? tungsten deposits of the Climax and Henderson type. Fluorine-rich rhyolites that host volcanogenic Be deposits can also be associated with elevated and potentially economic concentrations of thorium, niobium, and rare earth elements (REEs). Deposit types found in close spatial association with the world-class Be-(U-F-REE-Li) volcanogenic deposits near Spor Mountain, Juab County, Utah, include (1) widely disseminated breccia pipe fluorite deposits, (2) classic volcanogenic uranium deposits/occurrences, and (3) pegmatitic and fumarolic beryl deposits. The Spor Mountain Be-(U-F-REE-Li) deposit provides a keystone because of recently determined geochronology and exploration strategies research that can be used for further mineral exploration in the region.

The world-class Spor Mountain Be deposit occurs in an area of extensive alkalic rhyolitic ash flow tuffs and Oligocene and Eocene calderas underlain by Paleozoic and older limestone, dolomite, shale, and quartzite. Spor Mountain is part of the Deep Creek-Tintic mineral belt. In addition to beryllium and fluorite at Spor Mountain, the belt contains other beryllium occurrences as well as deposits or occurrences of copper, base metals, gold, lithium, and uranium. These are distributed between the Deep Creek Mountains on the west and the East Tintic Mountains to the east. Older geophysical studies identified pronounced aeromagnetic anomalies, in part reflecting igneous stocks and thick accumulations of volcanic rocks in calderas, accompanying the mineral belt. The apparent geological uniqueness of the Spor Mountain deposit has been a source of controversy due, in part, to the lack of a modern comprehensive geologic framework and ore genesis models for the region. Recent USGS studies of the deposit and host volcanics of the Spor Mountain Formation (SMF) have established a more comprehensive geologic framework and ore genesis model for the deposit based on U/Pb zircon crystallization ages and the metallogeny of the upper topaz rhyolite and underlying stratified tuff that make up the SMF. Ongoing studies are addressing fundamental questions regarding ages and chemical evolution of the regionally extensive package of volcanic rocks that includes the SMF, and their regional metallogenic evolution. These studies have significantly advanced our understanding of the age, chemistry, and metallogeny of the regional volcanic rock sequence that includes the SMF.

We seek a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow to further advance our understanding of crustal evolution and the regional economic potential for additional minerals on the U.S. Critical Minerals List that occur in greater West-Central Utah, with a focus on the Deep Creek-Tintic belt. The temporal, structural, and evolutionary relationships shared by the world-class Be deposit at Spor Mountain and other regionally distributed deposits and occurrences remain enigmatic.

Proposed Duty Station: Reston, Virginia

Areas of Ph.D: Geology, geochemistry, geophysics, or related fields (candidates holding a Ph.D. in other disciplines, but with extensive knowledge and skills relevant to the Research Opportunity may be considered).

Qualifications: Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: Research Geologist, Research Geophysicist, Research Physical Scientist, Research Chemist

(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 performed in office, laboratory, and field settings and can require special safety precautions and/or protective clothing and equipment. Office work involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices or meeting and training rooms. Laboratory work involves exposure to moderate risks and discomforts that require normal safety precautions. Field work involves exposure to moderate, and potentially high, risks and discomforts. The employee applies a wide range of safety precautions when controlled conditions deteriorate due to unforeseen conditions or previously unknown risks.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

  1. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  2. Selectee may be subject to serving a trial period.
  3. Selectee subject to successfully passing a pre-employment medical exam.
  4. Selectee must provide proof of valid driver's license, safe driving record.
  5. 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.
  • 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.
  • Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
  • 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.
  • 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 may be required to provide proof of a valid State license and a copy of your driving record.
  • 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

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 September 5, 2018 (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 2025. 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.

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.

Additional information

  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Federal Government. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selectee.
  • These research opportunities are in the excepted service and are being filled through a Schedule A noncompetitive appointing authority. Appointments do not confer competitive or permanent status in the Federal Government nor are they subject to competitive examining procedures. The Mendenhall appointment may, in certain circumstances, be extended for up to an additional two years though rare.
  • USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
  • For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies.
  • 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, or direct or indirect interest 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.
  • Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
  • 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.

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.

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