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Geologist

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.

This position is located in Safford, AZ. Information about this location and the surrounding area can be found at City of Safford.

We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/29/2022 to 12/13/2022
Salary
$44,740 to - $86,074 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Location
Safford, AZ
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
AZDE-22-11728629-GEC
Control number
691752500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

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  • Participate in or leads interdisciplinary team projects for minerals related actions, such as the development of environmental documents for the purpose of evaluating applications for free use permits, material sales, oil and gas leasing, geothermal
  • Resource leasing, exploration and development drilling, and mining plans of operation submitted under 3809, 3802, and 3814 regulations.
  • Serve as interdisciplinary team member on other Bureau EA and EIS projects.
  • Provide written and oral assistance to the public on questions concerning the laws, regulations, and policy governing all aspects of mineral resources on public lands.
  • Establish and maintains cooperative relationships with other BLM offices, user groups, and State and Federal agencies concerned with the Bureau's mineral management program.
  • Review mineral leases, sales and mining operations and exploration or development/operating plan for adequacy and recommends the amount of bond to be required.
  • Provide technical expertise in formulating surface protection stipulations, standards, and mitigating measures to reduce the adverse impacts of surface disturbing activities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • May require a one year probationary period.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

Basic Education Requirement:
A degree in the field of Geology plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography.-OR- A combination of education and experience equivalent to a major in geology or related disciplines appropriate to the position advertised. I will provide a copy of my college transcript.
OR
A combination of education and experience equivalent to a major in geology or related disciplines appropriate to the position advertised. You must provide a copy of your college transcript. .

In addition to the basic education requirement you must possess the following to qualify:

For GS-07:
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 level: Examples of specialized experience but not limited to: Assist with the review and provide geologic assistance in the processing of applications to conduct drilling; assist with the review of mineral exploration proposals and recommend stipulations to protect resource values; provide geologic data to staff engaged in drainage and economic evaluation.
-OR-
Education: One (1) year of progressively higher-level graduate education in geology or a closely related field.
-OR-
Superior Academic Achievement (See OPM's General Policies, Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.f.) S.A.A. must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.
-OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

For GS-09:
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 level: Examples of specialized experience but not limited to: Review and provide geologic assistance in the processing of applications to conduct drilling; Review mineral exploration proposals and recommend stipulations to protect resource values; provide geologic data to staff engaged in drainage and economic evaluation.
-OR-
Education: Two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master`s degree; OR master`s or equivalent graduate degree in the field of geology or directly related education.
-OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

For GS-11:
n addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 level: Examples of specialized experience but not limited to: Experience gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing.
-OR-
Education: Three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the field of geology or directly related education.
-OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

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.

Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level.

Physical Demands: The work includes both office and field conditions. Office work involves long periods of intense concentration on technical details. Most field work requires a certain amount of physical stamina and is often under a variety of arduous conditions, including travel by vehicle, all train vehicles (ATVs), or foot over rugged, slippery, and/or hazardous terrain, exposure to adverse temperature and weather conditions, as well as physiographic extremes. The individual may be required to perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such equipment and samples.

Work Environment: The position is physically located in close proximity to a number of other professional employees, and must tolerate and average amount of conversation, telephone and other similar office distractions and background noise. Office quarters are located in a modern office building and tend to be "open space" arrangements. Field conditions include the full range of topographic conditions, ranging from rolling plains to a steep mountainous terrain. Incumbent will, on occasion, be required to enter surface and underground mines and tolerate high/low temperatures, dust and high levels of noise and vibration. Safety clothing such as self contained breathing apparatus; safety boots, goggles, etc. are required to be worn. During winter months temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit can be expected, while during the summer temperatures in excess of +100 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon. The incumbent may subjected to hostile wildlife, chemical and physical hazards. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer. When completing work assignments in the office or field, or operating a motorized vehicle, incumbent must be alert to safety hazards to ensure work is accomplished in the most efficient and safe manner.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement which requires that you have a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, or a combination of education and experience---courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

If using education to qualify, you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. See Required Documents section for more information.

Additional information

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document, you do not have in electronic form; view the following link for information regarding an Alternative Application

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Geology
  • Mining Engineering
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Public Planning


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 the following additional assessment: Subject Matter Expert Resume Panel Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

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