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Biologist / Physical Scientist (Research Coordinator)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
National Climate Adaptation Science Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Salary Information:

The salary range listed is based on the associated General Schedule Locality pay tables as determined by the Locality Pay Area Definitions. See the Additional Information section for more information.

A non-taxable Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) will be added to the salary of associated locations. COLA is subject to change without notice.

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

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/17/2023 to 10/19/2023
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$82,830 to - $133,176 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection,
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel up to 5 nights per month for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses are authorized.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
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-23-12097837-DHA-CK
Control number
755040700

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Duties

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As a Research Coordinator with the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, some of your duties will include:

Manage external research and engagement initiatives related to the management of projects and funding.

  • Manage all aspects of research solicitation processes, to include announcements of funding opportunities, assistance to applicants in the application process, award reviews, funding disbursements, tracking of project deliverables, providing customer service to current researchers, assuring production of applicable science/knowledge/tools, and project termination (no cost extensions, final reports, etc.).
  • Build partnerships with Pacific Island communities, including researchers; local, state, national, and regional leaders; U.S. Federal and relevant international entities; and others, both in day-to-day activities and through development of periodic meetings to discuss matters of relevance to climate adaptation.
  • Gather, evaluate, and synthesize, and deliver reports and other products related to relevant scientific information upon the request of Center leadership.
  • Represent the Center in frequent meetings and report back on priorities and initiatives. This involves providing administrative, logistical, and scientific support for other regional staff members, pursuant to the overall operation and management of the Center.
  • Operate a government vehicle as an incidental driver.

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.
  • This vacancy is limited to the first 75 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.
  • You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license & a copy of your driving record.
  • 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.

Qualifications

This position is interdisciplinary and may be filled in either of the occupational job series listed below. You must meet the educational requirements of at least one of these occupational series, in additional to the Minimum Requirement listed, in order to be found qualified and referred for consideration.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

GS-0401--BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist occupational series.

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.

GS-1301--BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist occupational series:

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 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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

GS-12: In addition to meeting on of the Basic Education Requirements stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for this grade level:

Possess at least 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 1) independently planning and executing complex biological or physical science studies and investigations, which usually involved intensive investigations into recognized phenomena. 2) modifying and adapting standard biological techniques, processes, and procedures; 3) serving as a technical resource on scientific issues. This work typically involved conventional methods and techniques though it required going beyond clear precedents and required adapting methods to the problems at hand and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, scientists have the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty.

GS-13: In addition to meeting on of the Basic Education Requirements stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for this grade level:

Possess at least 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 such experience may include 1) planning, executing, and reporting on original biological or physical science studies or ongoing physical science studies requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems. 2) developing new or significantly modified biological techniques, methods, or criteria; 3) analyzing and interpreting scientific project data with novel and obscure problems 4) providing advisory, planning, or reviewing services as a technical specialist on a biological or physical issue. The complexity of the work typically required extensive modification and adaptation of standard procedures, methods, and techniques, and the development of totally new methods and techniques to address novel or obscure problems for which guidelines or precedents were not substantially applicable. At this level, scientists have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility.

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.
  • Foreign Education: 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.
  • Duty Location: It is anticipated that one position will be filled in the Pacific Islands region. The Duty station will be in federal government office space or a CASC consortium member's space. The location will be determined upon hire.
  • Number of Vacancies - There is currently only one vacancy to be filled; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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-widedirect hire authority for Biological and Physical Sciences is being used to fill this position. All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and minimum qualification requirements will be referred for consideration.

--Formal Presentation: A presentation may be required as part of the interview process.

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