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Research Social Scientist

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
St Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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

This is a term appointment not to exceed 13-months with possible extensions up to a total of 4 years without further competition. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

The salary will be based on the OPM locality pay table for the duty location selected. You may view the OPM locality tables HERE.

NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/20/2021 to 01/06/2022
Salary
$92,143 to - $146,120 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Santa Cruz, CA
Saint Petersburg, FL
Woods Hole, MA
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel 1-2 nights per month for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14 - The full performance level for a Research position is GS-14; however, promotion eligibility is dependent upon the scientific contributions of the incumbent as evaluated by a peer panel.
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
USGS-DEN-22-11321054-DE-SAS
Control number
627624700

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Duties

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

  • Serves as a researcher in support of the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) with the goal to improve understanding of the connection between coastal hazards and societal issues.
  • Engages and communicates between (CMHRP) science and end-user, residents, local, state, and federal staff and agency employees
  • Identifies societal vulnerabilities and developing social and physical science studies.
  • Conducts original research related to the social science of coastal hazards.
  • Utilizes both social and physical science build from relationships with researchers and coastal stakeholders impacted by and making decisions about hazards from coastal change.
  • Applies research methods, tools, and analysis to conduct social investigations with a systems approach that integrates social and physical sciences related to hazard and coastal change.
  • Prepare scientific proposals, author peer-reviewed journal articles, and present research findings at scientific meetings including congressional staffers, USGS leadership and coastal residents.
  • Operates a government vehicle as an incidental driver.

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.
  5. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
  • 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 & a copy of your 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.

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A, B or C below to satisfy the basic requirement for Research Social Scientist.

A. Degree- Completed all requirements for a bachelor`s or higher degree in a behavioral or social science or related discipline appropriate to the position.

B. Combination of education and experience -course work equivalent to a major (24 semester hours or equivalent) in a behavioral or social science or related discipline.

C. Completed four years of appropriate experience that demonstrates that the applicants have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in those fields.

GS-13
In addition to the basic education requirement listed above,
applicants must meet the following to qualify for this position.

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Examples of such experience may include applying research methods, tools and analysis to conduct social science investigations with a systems approach that integrates social and physical sciences related to coastal hazards; developing techniques, processes or actions to integrate coastal and social science to inform decision-making. This work experience would have involved developing new techniques, processes, practices and/or actions, using initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from established methods or researching trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, or proposed new policies.

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.
  • The full performance level for a Research position is GS-15; however, promotion eligibility is dependent upon the scientific contributions of the incumbent as evaluated by a peer panel.
  • 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:

Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best-Qualified, Well-Qualified and Qualified. If you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements of this position, you will be contacted via email after the vacancy announcement closes and given five dayscalendar days to submit narrative responses that address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of this position. You will be rated and ranked based on the information you provide in your resume as well as the responses you submit to the required KSAs. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position are as follows:
1. Knowledge of principles and technical aspects of social science with specialized in the field of coastal sciences.
2.Knowledge of principles and technical aspects of social science data collection, processing, and analysis with specialization in the field of coastal sciences.
3.Ability to formulate, manage, and conduct research projects related to social science of coastal change hazards.
4.Ability to effectively communicate results of research to colleagues and technical audiences through oral presentations, informal memos, and formal written reports suitable for publication
5. Ability to effectively mentor junior researchers and support staff.

--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/11321054

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