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Physical Scientist - GS-1301-11 - (DHA-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?

The government-wide direct hire authority for Physical Scientists is being used to fill this position.

Salary: $64,009 (Step 01) to $83,210 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/01/2020 to 06/02/2020
This job will close when we have received 30 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$64,009 to - $83,210 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Saint Petersburg, FL
FEW vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Overnight travel of up to 4 nights per month may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
DEN-2020-0302
Control number
569287500

Duties

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As a Physical Scientist within the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Responsible for acquiring, compiling, and interpreting geologic data including rock/coral samples, high-resolution geophysical & bathymetric surveys and stratigraphic and taphonomic logs.
  • Calibrates, troubleshoots, operates, and repairs complex analytical instruments, such as including subsurface-deployed temperature, salinity, hydrographic and other environmental/physical data recorders.
  • Plans and collects a variety of field samples that may include biogenic carbonate rocks and/or sediments, seawater, and biologic or fossilized materials.
  • Produces geospatial and biophysical-process data sets, digital maps, charts and interprets data for written reports and journal publications.
  • Scuba diving will be required.

Physical Demands

The work requires some physical exertion and may require prolonged standing in the laboratory environment. Field assignments involve outdoor work aboard ocean-going vessels where conditions can range from being wet, hot, cold, and potentially rough sea conditions. Some work requires physical exertion such as such as, SCUBA diving, lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds and crawling in restrictive spaces.

Work Environment

Work performed in the laboratory may involve use of equipment which can result in exposure to dust, toxic chemicals, mechanical and electrical hazards, and noise. Special safety precautions are required including use of laboratory coats, safety glasses, dust masks, gloves, etc. Work in the field may involve exposure to extreme outdoor weather conditions with exposure to involving a high risk with exposure to dangerous situations.

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.
  • Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.

This vacancy is limited to the first 30 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered.  You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached.  Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes. 

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

  • This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
  • 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.
  • This position requires completion of a medical examination at Federal expense.
  • 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.

Qualifications

For information on basic qualifications, which includes information on whether you may substitute education for specialized experience, please click on the following: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/physical-scientist-gs-1301

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:

**Three years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours, 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in physical science or other directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in physical science or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.

**OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or directly related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-9 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.

Examples of such experience may include (1) experience in the interpretation of geological samples and data, knowledge of oceanographic processes acting on coral reefs, and delivery of geological data in reports and peer-reviewed publications;  (2) knowledge and ability in conducting geologic, oceanographic and physical processes related to constructing historical sea level assessments;  (3) experience in planning and executing complex physical science studies; and (4) documenting research results in reports; presenting research results at appropriate forums; contributing to and lead authoring peer-reviewed professional literature; and participating in professional activities.

**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described, above that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

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.
  • Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
  • 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.

--Basis of Rating: The government-wide direct hire authority for Physical Scientists is being used to fill this position. All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and minimum qualification requirements will be referred for consideration.  


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