Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Interdisciplinary Scientist (Data Scientist)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
This job announcement has closed

Summary

What General Information Do I Need to Know About This Position?

This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months, possible extensions up to a total of 4 years without further competition. This Appointment/Position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

Salary: $51,425.00 (Step 01) to $66,852.00 (Step 10).

NO RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/21/2023 to 09/06/2023
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$51,425 to - $66,852 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
Sacramento, CA
FEW vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Overnight travel of up to 1 night per month may be required for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 13 months, may be extended up to 4-years.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
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-SAC-23-11682567-DE-ML
Control number
744330200

Videos

Duties

Help

As a Data Scientist within the Western Ecological Research Center, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Works directly with Research Managers and other Scientists to provide data management technical support for USGS Biological/Ecological/ecosystems science efforts within the science center.
  • Coordinates implementation of protocols and procedures necessary for data management, data integration, publication of data and metadata, preserving and providing public access to scientific data.
  • Coordinates with Center staff and/or Records Liaison Officer/Coordinator to ensure preservation of scientific data, metadata, software, and records of the Center.
  • Works with science staff and some outside collaborators to provide guidance in the principles, theories, and methods, of scientific data management planning, data curation and documentation, publication, and preservation.
  • Operates a government owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver.
Physical Demands:
The work is usually sedentary but may include lifting of light office objects. Occasional travel is required to training, meetings, conferences, or to the field.

Work Environment:
The work is generally performed in an office environment that is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Some travel may be required.

Requirements

Help

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 trial period.
  4. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
  5. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
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.
  • This vacancy is limited to the first 50 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. You are strongly encouraged to 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 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

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for GS-0150GEOGRAPHER: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Geographer, all grade levels.

A. 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. **OR

B. A combination of education and experience-- courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semesters hours in geography or related fields, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope, and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above.


BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for GS-0401 BIOLOGIST: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist, all grade levels.

A. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. **OR

B. Combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope, and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for GS-1301 PHYSICAL SCIENTIST: 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 or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. **OR

B. A combination of education and experience--education equivalent to one of the majors shown in "A" above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering, or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science as described above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience, and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for GS-1410 LIBRARIAN: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Librarian, all grade levels.

A. Completion of 1-full academic year of graduate study in library science in an accredited college or university, in addition to completion of all work required for a bachelor's degree. **OR

B. A total of at least 5-years of a combination of college-level education, training, and experience. To qualify on this basis, the applicant must establish conclusively that the education, training, and experience provided a knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, and techniques of professional librarianship; a knowledge of literature resources; and the knowledge and abilities essential for providing effective library and information services. Examples of such experience may include maintaining and updating the electronic catalog of library holdings; maintaining an accurate record of the journal holdings; contacting other libraries and arranging interlibrary loan of or copying of material and obtaining reference lists and bibliographies from other's sources; performing literature searches in a computerized database by using knowledge of subject-heading structure and logic of search information; utilizing the computer to access library databases, online journals, online library services, the internet, and electronic mail to identify and obtain information for library users; and conducting research on technical and scientific information.

Qualifications for GS-07: In addition to the basic education requirement(s) as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level:

1-year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

**OR Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study.

**OR 1-year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of this position is qualifying if it is equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Examples of duties may include: Applying Preparing samples, and analyzing, compiling, and computing scientific data.

GS-5 level experience could include taking measurements and collecting information; learning to take proper samples; conducting routine calculating, plotting, and checking of numerical data; preparing graphs and data profiles; and accomplishing routine analyses. T

The tasks performed at this level were routine and usually entailed readily identifiable phenomena and environmental conditions; and the work was closely controlled and assigned with clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.


**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above.

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. How foreign education is evaluated

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.
  • Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
  • 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.

CONT... from Qualifications Section
For GS-07 GENERAL ENGINEER: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level:
** 1-year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in biology, physical science, general engineering or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled. **OR
** Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. **OR
** 1-year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
--Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies: Reasoning

--Basis of Rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified and Qualified. You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you are eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

--NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11682567

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.