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Geologist

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in BLM Oregon State Office, Prineville District Office.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/24/2023 to 12/07/2023
Salary
$46,696 to - $89,835 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Prineville, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
OR-24-DE/MP-12175277-EKS
Control number
762073900

Duties

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The Prineville District Geologist Position allows for experience in the following opportunities:

  • Serves as the Prineville District's SME (Subject Matter Expert) in Geology. This work includes participating on two field office and the District NEPA interdisciplinary teams. The Geologist's primary role is to serve as the NEPA project lead for mineral proposals as well as other tasks associated with minerals. In addition, reviews various projects as assigned and writes reports that provides geology input and clearances. Existing skills or familiarity in geomorphology, landslide identification, rock and soil mechanics, subsurface exploration techniques and environmental hazards are ideal.
  • Participates on two field office and the District interdisciplinary teams, primarily for NEPA reviews for project's impacts to soil, and responsible for any pre- or post-project required soil monitoring.
  • District lead for minerals, energy, and oil & gas. This work includes serving as budget lead and tracking accomplishments for these programs. This work requires the geologist to respond to public inquiry related to mining claims, recreational panning and dredging, and mineral laws. Processes and administers locatable (e.g., gold, chromite, nickel) and salable (rock quarry) and rarely leasable (oil and gas) mineral activities. Reviews mining and reclamation plans and requirements related to mineral activity. Prepares mineral potential reports for land actions. Existing skills or familiarity in rock identification, rock characteristics, mining processes and mine design are ideal. On the job training is provided for learning the BLM's policy and regulations for administering mining on public lands.
  • Use GIS to make maps, analyze Lidar for landslides and other geologic data, collect and manage geologic data in GIS for landslides, rock pits, or other geologic features that may be useful for the District.
  • Coordinates with other State and Federal agencies to accomplish the program of work.
Physical Demands: The work of this position includes both office and field conditions. Office work involves long periods of intense concentration on technical details. Most field work requires physical stamina and is often under a variety of arduous conditions, including travel by vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), or foot over rugged, slippery, and/or hazardous terrain, exposure to adverse temperature and weather conditions, as well as physiographic extremes. The individual may be required to perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples. You may be subjected to hostile wildlife, confined spaces, and/or chemical and physical hazards.

Working Conditions: The work of this position is physically located in close proximity to a number of other professional employees, when in the office, and must tolerate an average amount of conversation, telephone or other similar office distractions and background noise. Office quarters are located in a modern office building and tend to be "open space" arrangements. Field conditions include the full range of topographic conditions, ranging from rolling plains to steep mountainous terrain. You will, on occasion, be required to enter surface and underground mines and tolerate high/low temperatures, dust and high levels of noise and vibration. Safety clothing such as self-contained breathing apparatus; safety boots, goggles, etc. are required to be worn. During winter months temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit can be expected. During the summer temperatures in excess of+100 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon. You will be required to adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by a designated Safety Officer. When completing work assignments in the office or field, or operating a motorized vehicle, you must be alert to safety hazards to ensure work is accomplished in the most efficient and safe manner.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • May be required to complete background investigation.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents) prior to the closing date of this announcement.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Status applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • You may be required to occasionally travel overnight away from home. You must be eligible to obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.
  • Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • You will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450 on an annual basis.
  • The Bureau of Land Management has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and/or education requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.

Basic Requirement, Geology Series, GS-1350:
Have a bachelor's or higher degree in geology, plus 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
Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Note: Evaluation of Experience: Acceptable experience may have been gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing. Experience that involved only one phase of geology work, e.g., collecting samples, would not be acceptable as providing the required professional knowledge of the theory and principles of geology. In some situations, professional scientific experience in other fields may be accepted in part as professional geological experience. Such experience must have been preceded by appropriate education in geology or by professional geological experience and must have contributed directly and significantly to the professional geological competence. Examples include some positions in geophysics, mining engineering, soils science, physical oceanography, hydrology, climatology, biology, analytic or experimental chemistry, metallurgy, and comparable fields where the normal duties or results of investigations have been extended to the solution of geologic problems. Ordinary functions of positions such as seismic, computer, petroleum or mining engineer, mine superintendent, or metallurgist generally are not considered professional geological experience. To receive credit for geological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional geological positions, you are responsible for clearly indicating the actual time or percentage of time devoted to geologic duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the geologic functions.
AND
Minimum Qualification Requirement: In addition to meeting at least one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must also have specialized experience and/or education to meet one of the minimum qualifications described below.

GS-07:
Specialized Experience: Have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 4 of the following: (1) Reviewing and determining compliance with regulations for exploration, development, and production activities for salable and locatable minerals; (2) Reviewing and analyzing geologic data for locatable and salable minerals; (3) Preparing technical reports on geological information or data; (4) Preparing reparations of geologic permits, reports, maps, or presentations; and (5) Reviewing mining plans of operation and/or amendments for locatable minerals.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA)):
Have completed a bachelor's degree in any field and meet eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) Provision gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) Class standing-applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; or (2) Grade-Point Average-applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) Election to membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society - membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Combination of Education/Experience: Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education described above. To calculate the percentage, first compute the amount of specialized experience as a percentage of the requirement listed above; then determine the amount of your education as a percentage of the requirement listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to meet this requirement.

GS-09:
Specialized Experience: Have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 4 of the following: (1) Assisting with geologic investigations to provide comments and/or recommendations on issues that affect minerals and mineral development; (2) Applying mineral extraction technologies such as mining methods for surface and underground mineral developments and petroleum and geothermal resources/recovery techniques to conduct work activities; (3) Reviewing and determining compliance with regulations for exploration, development, and production activities for salable and locatable minerals to include the development of Environmental Assessment (EA) documents; (4) Conducting mining, exploration, and reclamation operations related to the Mineral Leasing Act and other pertinent regulations; and (5) Preparing technical reports to explain the geologic and mineralogical character of solid minerals to support recommendations.
OR
Education:
Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Combination of Education/Experience: Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education described above. (To calculate, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 18 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then take the number of months of experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify).

Education

GS-11:
Specialized Experience: Have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing at least 5 of the following: (1) Independently conducting geologic investigations to provide comments and/or recommendations on issues that affect minerals and mineral development; (2) Applying mineral extraction technologies such as mining methods for surface and underground mineral developments and petroleum and geothermal resources/recovery techniques to conduct work activities; (3) Conducting and/or serving as a team leader for the development of Environmental Assessments (EAs) for a minerals management program; (4) Conducting mining, exploration, and reclamation operations related to the Mineral Leasing Act and other pertinent regulations; (5) Conducting technical examinations, operation reviews, and abandonment inspections in accordance with regulatory guidance; and (6) Writing reports, including validity examinations, patent examinations, surface use determinations and occupancy trespass.
OR
Education: Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Combination of Education/Experience: Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education described above. (To calculate, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 36 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then take the number of months of experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify).

Status merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. (Must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted).
One year at the GS-05 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level.
One year at the GS-07 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level.
One year at the GS-09 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made
and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position.

Education:

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

Additional information

  • Volunteer Experience: 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.
  • Travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulation, Chapter 302, and Departmental policy. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. See "Other" section for additional information on 2017 Tax Cuts as related to PCS.
  • This position is offering a Relocation/Recruitment Incentive, of 25% of the annual salary with two year service agreement. To be eligible for a Relocation Incentive, you must be a current Federal Employee employed with the Federal Government and be willing to work directly from the BLM OR/WA office in Prineville location (not remote). The selectee's current duty location must be more than 50 miles from the duty location of this position. To be eligible for a Recruitment Incentive, selectee must not be employed by the Federal Government.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 90 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact San Antonio Services Branch at SASBMailbox@opm.gov or 816-541-8101.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessments, including a subject matter resume review and/or a panel interview. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed below that are required to successfully perform the job.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Geology
  • Manages and Organizes Information
  • Research
  • Surveying
  • Technical Credibility


Candidates not eligible to apply under merit promotion will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:
  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Non-Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Performance Appraisals for Competitive and Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Applicants: In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must submit a performance appraisal with a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

Recruitment incentive awards: Applicants that have received recruitment incentive awards during the last two years, must list them on their resume.

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