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Research Physical Scientist

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
This job announcement has closed

Summary

General Information
The government-wide direct hire authority for Physical Scientist, GS-1301 is being used to fill this position.

Salary: $98,496 (Step 01) to $128,043 (Step 10);

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
08/21/2023 to 08/24/2023
This job will close when we have received 25 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$98,496 to - $128,043 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Saint Petersburg, FL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 2 nights per month for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
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-23-12067217-DHA-PL
Control number
743952400

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Duties

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

  • Conduct fundamental scientific investigations, applied research, and stakeholder engagement on coastal change hazards focused on but not limited to the Caribbean Sea area.
  • Address scientific activities which require specialized fieldwork, collaboration, extended travel periods, and consultation with other scientists.
  • Conduct complex, novel scientific investigations relating to coastal morphologic and oceanographic processes in coral reef environments.
  • Plan and conduct independent research or lead a small team of scientists to develop projects requiring new or improved techniques and procedures.
  • Regularly conduct research/development studies.
  • Solve problems which are typically difficult to define, require unconventional or novel approaches and require sophisticated techniques.
  • Contribute to a team of research oceanographers, geologists, chemists, and biologists stationed at the science center.
  • Foster interdisciplinary partnerships representing a cross-center, cross-mission area effort that utilizes the expertise of researchers alongside science communicators to improve scientific products and access to products for communities traditionally under-served by USGS science.
  • Help to define the scope of the overall effort and to develop objectives for the team's research efforts.
  • Identify research or assignment needs, formulate hypotheses, develop and carry-out a research plan, analyzes and interprets results and prepare reports of findings.
  • Develop collaborative scientific ventures and keep the supervisor informed of general plans and progress of the work.
  • The incumbent is bilingual to engage with a Spanish-speaking population
  • Operate government vehicles as an incidental driver.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment - Work environment is typically in remote coastal areas and often requires working from a small watercraft, possibly in inclement conditions.

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 Other Information.
  5. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
  6. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
  7. Selectee must be Spanish-bilingual.
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.
  • This vacancy is limited to the first 25 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. Submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
  • 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 is issued.
  • A background investigation is required for this position. 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, notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist, all grade levels.

A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher 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 or materials, and electronics.

B. A combination of education and experience/course work that is equivalent to a major in physical or engineering science or math that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

GS-13 - In addition to the basic education requirement above, you must possess the following to qualify:
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-12 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 GS-12 experience include: (1) developing, conducting, and managing research projects that support agency priorities; (2) understanding of regional-scale coastal geology and geomorphology; (3) collecting field data for computer modeling, scientific analysis and interpretation; (4) developing computer models that predict changes to physical processes that affect coastal change; (5) experience in publishing in peer-reviewed journals; and (6) presenting research at scientific meetings.

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 direct hire authority for Physical Scientist 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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