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Physical Scientist

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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 Scientist GS-1301 is being used to fill 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.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/14/2022 to 11/21/2022
Salary
$88,850 to - $115,510 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Woods Hole, MA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel on average up to 1 night per month for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - Not to Exceed 13 Months
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
USGS-RES-23-11688634-DHA-DG
Control number
688791800

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Duties

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

  • Leads planning, coordination, and execution of coastal change hazards studies according to organizational priorities and schedules
  • Handles competing priorities with professionalism and effectiveness
  • Completes job duties in a timely manner
  • Effectively applies technical skills and organizational knowledge to get the job done
  • Communicates clearly and effectively
  • Compiles data into GIS software systems
  • Uses geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing software.
  • Manipulates and analyzes data
  • Uses a variety of statistical, geologic, and geophysical analysis tools, multi-temporal or multi-sensor remote sensing datasets, and a variety of remote sensing and spatial analysis tools to perform analysis.
  • Conducts analyses and reviews results.
  • Recommends modifications to project objectives for operations and project plans
  • Writes and reviews reports to evaluate findings and document study progress.
  • Leads a technical team and communicates with scientific staff.
  • Gathers, organizes, and interprets a wide variety data pertinent to geologic studies or investigations
  • Develops and maintains computer databases
  • Synthesizes project and budgetary data
Physical Demands/Work Environment: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items, such as papers, books, or small parts; or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Work is performed primarily in a field, laboratory or office setting. Work area is adequately lighted.


Salary: $88,850.00 (Step 01) to $115,510.00 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

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?
  • If selected you may be asked to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as those related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine
  • 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 GS-12: 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 in or 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 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 planning and executing complex physical science studies, which usually involved intensive investigations into recognized phenomena. This work typically involves managing projects and leading staff using conventional methods and techniques though it requires going beyond clear precedents and adapting methods to complex problems, and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, physical scientists can independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty and communicate progress and results to a variety of stakeholders (both technical and non-technical).

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.
  • 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 Physical Scientist GS-1301 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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