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Interdisciplinary GIS Specialist - Geographer/Biologist/Physical Scientist/Cartographer

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Yosemite National Park
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Branch of Vegetation and Ecological Restoration within the Resource Management and Science Division of Yosemite National Park.

Government Housing MAY be available.

Open to the first 50 applicants or until 11/10/2022 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/31/2022 to 11/05/2022
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$54,727 to - $71,146 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
El Portal, CA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent - Career Seasonal
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
PW-1549-YOSE-23-11666803-DE
Control number
686270200

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Duties

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This is a Career-Seasonal position and subject to release and recall procedures. A permanent career-seasonal position includes all the benefits of permanent employment but does not provide employment on a full year-round basis. As such, you will be in a non-pay/non-duty status for at least 2 weeks to 6 months per year based on project requirements or weather conditions. Selectee is guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year but not more than 50 weeks per year. While in pay status, work schedule is full-time. The typical season for Yosemite is from May until the end of October. Non-pay/non-duty status is anywhere from November through April but may be shortened if additional work/funding exists during this timeframe to have the employee work the max of 25 pay periods. It is currently anticipated you will be placed in non-pay within November to April timeframe for 2-10 weeks of non-pay.

Some of your major duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Assists Geographic Information System (GIS) Coordinator in collecting, storing, maintaining and utilizing spatial and tabular data.
  • Integrates a variety of standard GIS and database management software to meet vegetation program needs. Implements data documentation procedures and distribution using appropriate technologies.
  • Develops global positioning system (GPS) data dictionaries, spatial data inventories, and cross linkages to ensure software and data structure compatibility.
  • Assists with maintaining hardware, peripherals, GPS units, network, and GIS operating systems. Creates, communicates, and implements data management protocols and workflows.
  • Uses integrating computer models and other tools with biological and physical scientific knowledge and resources management practices, conducts standard analysis of geo-referenced data to determine resources conditions and trends, and models expected or predicted results of alternative management actions. Produces maps and other georeferenced products.
  • Trains Vegetation branch biologists and biological science technicians in use of mobile data collection devices. Troubleshoots problems. Performs field work in remote environments to generate new or verify ("ground- truth") mapped information, using standard resources field sampling and scientific methods.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions: The work is often sedentary, but field work occasionally requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking over rough, muddy, uneven, swampy or mountainous terrain; recurring periods of bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or similar activities; and recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds. Computer work is sedentary, which entails the ability to concentrate and use computers for long periods of time. Work is primarily performed indoors in a climate-controlled office environment. Outdoor work may occur in hot, cold, humid, or dry weather conditions. Outdoor work may also be required during periods of rain, snow, sleet, fog or other adverse weather conditions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • If you are a new employee in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 2 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/10/2022-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position, you must meet at least ONE of the following BASIC EDUCATION requirements PLUS minimum qualifications.

BASIC EDUCATION - Geographer, GS-0150.

  • Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields. You must provide transcripts. -OR-
  • A combination of education and experience, which includes courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. You must provide transcripts.
BASIC EDUCATION - Biologist, GS-0401.
  • Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. You must provide transcripts. -OR-
  • A combination of education and experience, which includes courses equivalent to a major as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. You must provide transcripts.
BASIC EDUCATION - Physical Scientist, GS-1301.
  • Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials or electronics. You must provide transcripts. -OR-
  • A combination of education and experience, which includes courses equivalent to one of the majors as shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. You must provide transcripts.
BASIC EDUCATION - Cartographer, GS-1370.
  • Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in cartography or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such course work includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites). You must submit your transcripts. -OR-
  • A combination of education and experience, which includes courses equivalent to one of the majors as shown above that included at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. You must provide transcripts.

- AND -

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess AT LEAST ONE of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
  • EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include all four elements: (1) using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) software and technology to provide technical support in the creation and maintenance of geospatial and relational databases; (2) training others in the use of GIS and GPS applications; (3) creating geospatial data and maps following established guidelines; and (4) developing, updating, and managing map services. -OR-
  • EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university with major study that is directly related to the position. You must include transcripts. -OR-
  • Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first divide your total months of qualifying specialized experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one (1) year (18 semester hours) by 18. Add the two percentages together. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: only graduate education in excess of one year is creditable toward meeting the experience requirement when combining experience and education). You must include transcripts.
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.

For more information on qualifying experience and education, see the links below:
OPM - Individual Occupation Requirement for GS-0150 Series
OPM - Individual Occupation Requirement for GS-0401 Series
OPM - Individual Occupation Requirement for GS-1301 Series
OPM - Individual Occupation Requirement for GS-1370 Series
OPM - Professional and Scientific Group Qualification Requirements

Education

To qualify based whole or in part 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.

Additional information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Candidates 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.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Geography
  • Spatial Orientation
  • Technology Application
  • Writing


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 panel resume review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

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