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Research Geophysicist

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
This job announcement has closed

Summary

DO NOT APPLY ONLINE: Applications for this position are NOT being accepted online. Interested Applicants must submit resumes/application packages to: gslcareers@usace.army.mil.

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will NOT be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants should review the "How to Apply" section of this flyer for more information on how to be considered. This flyer will be used as positions become available.

Overview

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Job closed
Open & closing dates
01/14/2022 to 03/31/2022
Salary
$36,118 to - $144,976 per year
Pay scale & grade
DB 2 - 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Vicksburg, MS
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Up to 25% annual business travel may be required in this position.
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
4 - May be selected at any grade level with non-competitive promotion potential to target grade. Non-competitive promotion potential to the target grade based on time-in-grade requirements and demonstrated ability to perform the higher graded duties.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MWGR225061744480HLF
Control number
631226600

Duties

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U.S. Army Research and Development (R&D) is seeking applicants for a position specializing in applied near-surface seismic methods to support military and/or civil works research and development projects. Typical job duties might include, but are not limited to:

  • Conduct applied geophysical research related to near-surface phenomenology to support military engineering projects and advance Army capabilities.
  • Geophysical survey design, data collection, data processing, interpretation, report writing, and proposal writing.
  • Develop hardware solutions and/or novel data processing methodologies to improve shallow seismic characterization and imaging.
  • Conduct studies both independently and as a member of a broader research team.
  • Present research to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports.
  • Contribute to or develop novel research proposals.

Preferred candidates should have demonstrated experience using active and/or passive seismic techniques related to seismic reflection, refraction, surface waves, diffraction, full waveform inversion (FWI), tomography, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), laser Doppler vibrometry, cross-hole, or seismic monitoring. Experience in coding, signal processing, software development, data analytics, or a background in physics, mathematics, engineering, or computer science are a plus.

MS or PhD are preferred. Travel and field work will be required.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Pursuant to EO 14043, all Federal employees, regardless of duty location or work arrangement, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entrance on duty, subject to exceptions as required by law.
  • If selected, the agency will provide information regarding what documentation is needed and how to request any legally required exceptions from this requirement.
  • Proof of vaccination will be required. To ensure compliance with this mandate, review the vaccination requirements, to include timelines for receiving required doses, at the following: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/
  • This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
  • Financial Disclosure Statement OGE Form 450 is used to avoid conflicts between duties and financial interest. This position requires pre-employment financial disclosure and annually thereafter in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R at the DB-04.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Qualifications Requirements: To qualify for this position at the DB-02 level, you must meet the Basic Requirements. To qualify at the DB-04 level you must meet the Basic Requirements in addition to required Specialized Experience.

Basic Requirements:

A. Degree: that included at least 30 semester hours in mathematics (including calculus) and the physical sciences (geophysics, physics, engineering, geology, astronomy, meteorology, electronics, etc.).

OR

B. Combination of education and experience - courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Specialized Experience to qualify at the DB-04:

You must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the DB-02 level or higher in Federal service (or private sector equivalent) demonstrating experience and knowledge of the application of the principles, concepts and methodology associated with geophysics, physics, engineering, geology, or physical science applying methods and procedures in routine research, projects or studies; AND experience preparing scientific reports setting forth appropriate data and interpretation.

Full qualification standards can be found at the OPM site at this link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/geophysics-series-1313/

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • This announcement uses the DHA for Candidates with Bachelor's or Advanced Degrees for Scientific and Engineering Positions direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service utilizing Policy Memorandum #36, ERDC Policy on Hiring Using Direct Hire Authority Section 1108 of NDAA for FY2009, to appoint qualified candidates possessing Bachelor's or advanced degrees to scientific and engineering positions within laboratories defined by Title 5 U.S.C. 9902(c)(2).
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry to the DB-04, and annually thereafter.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • This is a Career Program (CP) 18 - Engineers & Scientists (Construction) position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within a designated time frame identified by the organization. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.

How you will be evaluated

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

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

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