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Museum Specialist (Geology)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
Core Research Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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

Salary:
GS-9: $63,271 (Step 01) to $82,249 (Step 10);
GS-11: $76,551 (Step 01) to $99,513 (Step 10);
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
11/06/2023 to 11/13/2023
Salary
$63,271 to - $99,513 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Denver, CO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel 2 nights per month for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
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-23-12142680-DE-SER
Control number
758255600

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Duties

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As a Museum Specialist within the Core Research Center, some of your specific duties will include:

The incumbent has primary responsibility for the curation of diverse, complex and often poorly documented USGS scientific collections and associated materials housed in the Geological Materials Repository (GMR). Documents (creates metadata), archives, preserves, accesses, and makes available collection materials to interested research scientists. Provides expertise about the nature of the collections, availability of samples, and procedures for accessing the collections and curation procedures.

Takes primary responsibility for maintaining accurate records of the GMR space allocations to assure charges for storage services are levied accurately. Liaises with scientists, Center Directors, and Administrative Officers to rectify any issues arising from the allocation of space and fees in the GMR.

Responds to storage inquiries and manages new materials accessions. Catalogs and identifies recent GMR accessions in accordance with standard geologic nomenclature, U.S. Land Office grid systems, and GMR data management system standards. Rectifies missing, controversial or faulty information for GMR materials through a variety of resources and contacts with scientists from industry, academia, and other government agencies.

Prepares core and rock specimens for study, analysis, and display by sawing, polishing, etching, plugging, labeling, and using preservation techniques to conserve and protect the specimens. Uses forklifts and other material handling/processing equipment to load and unload shelves, pallets, cargo trailers.

Instructs and assists scientists in the implementation of relevant USGS and DOI policies related to scientific collections management. Develops instructional and engaging training and outreach materials. Advises scientists and collections managers in assessing materials for proper disposition and documentation of materials, including materials that require records management to assure adherence to Federal laws and DOI policy requirements.

Maintains the custom GMR database and enters data into GMR databases and ScienceBase to make scientific data available to clients. Assists in designing and implementation of new features and functionality for the database.

This position requires an early schedule on-site a minimum of 2 days a week.

Physical Demands: Work may involve prolonged standing in a warehouse environment or substantial stamina may be needed in the recurring handling of moderately heavy items (up to 60 pounds). Occasional work at heights over 15' while operating an order picker.

Work Environment: The largest portion of the work is performed in a warehouse or office setting. At times, ear, eye, foot and breathing equipment may be used to provide protection due to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and dust hazards. Working and climbing at 15-foot heights may also be required.

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 subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
  • 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-09:

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:

Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field of study which provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

**OR One year of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of such experience could include management of a museum collection and/or the establishment and maintenance of a public exhibit area; planning and rearranging storage space; conducting guided tours of the exhibit area; accompanying research teams on field trips relating to collecting and identifying specimens.

**OR A combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education as described above that is beyond the first year of graduate study and specialized experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

For GS-11:

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:

One year of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of such experience could include operation or management of a museum including collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation or restoration of a museum collection.


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.

--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:

  • Scientific Knowledge
  • General Abilities & Knowledge
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Information Management
  • Public information, outreach activities
  • Technology Application

--Basis of Rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are (Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessment required for this position. 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.

--Additional Assessment Required: If you meet the eligibility and basic qualification requirements for this position a subject-matter-expert will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position.

--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/12142680

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