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Physical Scientist/Biologist/Mathematical Statistician (Data Scientist)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
This job announcement has closed

Summary

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
GS-12: $77,488 to $100,739. NOTE: 1st time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 1. Salary listed may be higher depending upon geographic location with higher locality pay. Salary reflected is based on general schedule pay scale. For locality pay information, click here.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/17/2021 to 11/23/2021
Salary
$77,488 to - $100,739 per year

Salary may be higher depending upon geographic location with higher locality pay.

Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection, United States
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position on average up to 2 nights per month.
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
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
USGS-SAC-22-11247457-DHA-BC
Control number
621879500

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Duties

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As a Data Scientist (with data visualization specialty) within the Water Mission Area, US Geological Survey (USGS) some of your specific duties will include:

  • Serves as a data science visualization expert, developing rigorous methods of scientific inquiry, analysis, and visual/text presentation associated with the large data resources of the Water Mission Area (WMA), USGS and external data providers. The vast majority of these datasets are rich in complexity, including high resolution time-series observations, text, imagery, and geospatial components.
  • Lead data visualization projects including the incorporation of reproducible workflows to capture and communicate complex data-intensive concepts to non-technical audiences.
  • Designs use cases, and scenarios for gathering and harmonizing data from models and measurements to create interactive and informative visualization decision making and improving understanding in support of a variety of initiatives involving changes in policies, water conditions, and scientific methodology.
  • Conducts research as needed to support studies and prepare visual and written products to convey research-based knowledge and information to a variety of audiences and media (such as print, web, and research products).
  • Strategize and design projects, prototypes, and/or concepts that bring new visualization approaches into USGS water prediction/assessment projects.
  • Implement new and existing data science visualization approaches towards building solutions to areas of need. Can include architecting visualization approaches and/or implementing reproducible automation of existing approaches.

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. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
  • 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

This position is interdisciplinary and may be filled in any of the three job series; you must meet the educational requirements for at least one job series plus the additional experience/education as notated below to be minimally qualified and referred.

BASIC
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
For Physical Scientist, GS-1301: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist, 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 science, engineering or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or equivalent in physical science or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
B. A combination of education and experience-course work as shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or equivalent in physical science or related engineering science as described above, 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.

For Biologist, GS-0401: 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.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.

For Mathematical Statistician, GS-1529: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Mathematical Statistician, all grade levels:
A. Degree: that included 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics.

B. Combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics, plus appropriate experience or additional experience.

Additional Experience Requirement:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-12 level: One year of appropriate professional experience that is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service, and is equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. This experience must include:

Demonstrated experience building interactive data visualizations in a programming language, (e.g., javascript, R, or python), including familiarity with D3 or other relevant data visualization libraries. Experience analyzing, interpreting, and transforming existing datasets to create charts, maps, or graphics. Demonstrated ability plan and execute data visualization projects that may include self-led development or planning/coordination of the work of a small data visualization team. Experience with technical communication, as demonstrated by generating written text or creation of graphics.

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:

  • The duty station of this position may remain that of the selectee or may be any USGS location that is agreed upon by the selecting official and the selectee. If the agreed upon location results in the relocation of the selectee, the travel, transportation, and relocation expenses are not authorized.
  • There is 1 vacancy, however this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
  • The government-wide direct hire authority for Biologist, GS-0401, Physical Scientist GS-1301, Mathematical Statistician GS-1529 is being used to fill this position.
  • 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.

--Basis of Rating: The government-wide direct hire authority for Biologist, GS-0401, Physical Scientist GS-1301, Mathematical Statistician GS-1529 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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