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SUPERVISORY PHYSICAL SCIENTIST (Center Director)

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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

Salary: $169,402 (Step 01) to $183,500 (Step 10);
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

This position and is being advertised concurrently with the following announcements - Open to current or former Federal employees: USGS-SAC-23-12091724-ST-ML.

As part of the final selection process, a presentation may be required.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/21/2023 to 01/22/2024
Salary
$169,402 to - $183,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Moffett Field, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
USGS-SAC-24-12091723-DE-ML
Control number
762141500

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Duties

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As the Center Director for the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, you will be responsible for defining the overall science program of the Science Center and for overseeing the planning, conduct, and completion of all center science activities, which encompass research in earth surface processes, mineral and energy resources, paleoclimatology, and crustal structure. Some of your specific duties will include:

  • Responsible for all aspects of the leadership, administration, operation, and management of the Science Center.
  • Lead and develop collaborations with other USGS Science Centers, Other Federal and State agencies, universities, Tribes, and non-governmental organizations.
  • Responsible for planning, coordinating, executing, and managing broad, research in earth surface processes, mineral and energy resources, paleoclimatology, and crustal structure.
  • Work with the center's science leadership to develop long and short-term science and monitoring strategies in response to current and expected future needs of the Southwest Region and beyond.
  • Manage the Center's science portfolio and core capabilities consistent with USGS mission priorities and oversee the fiscal considerations that support those activities.
  • Provide advice and guidance to top agency management in multidisciplinary earth-science investigations involving earth surface processes, mineral and energy resources, paleoclimatology, and crustal structure at national and regional meetings, seminars, and conferences, actively promoting USGS programs and coordinating with other participants.
  • Engage as a team member with other USGS Science Center Directors in the Southwest Region, Southwest Regional Office Leadership, Research Programs within multiple USGS Mission Areas, and others, to employ science capabilities in the most effective manner with the highest standards of science quality.
  • Operates a governmental owned or leased 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. This position requires completion of a one year supervisory/managerial probationary period, if one has not previously been completed.
  5. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
  6. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

  • If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure.
  • 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: 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 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. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

For GS-15:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-15 level:

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-14 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 appropriate GS-14 level work may include: 1) Developing and coordinating major interdisciplinary projects that may impact national scientific objectives; 2) developing or directly influencing the scientific, administrative and technical policies necessary for the effective direction, management, and operation of a multi-discipline, multi-million dollar scientific program, including the supervision of multiple senior employees; 3) resolving critical problems resulting from the unprecedented complexities of a multi-disciplinary program; 4) serving as the principal scientific or technical contact with other Federal agencies, state and local government organizations, the public, and other groups that may affect the success of a major interdisciplinary scientific program.

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, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies: Supervision & Leadership, Program/Project Management, Scientific Knowledge, Dissemination of Data, Teamwork, and Interpersonal Communication.

--Basis of Rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking & selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified & Qualified. You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, & training relevant to the duties of the position. If eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above. 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. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

--Additional Assessment Required: If you meet the eligibility and basic qualification requirements for this position, you will be contacted via email & asked to provide narrative responses to questions that are specific to this job. The email will include the instructions & deadline in which the responses must be submitted. A subject-matter-expert(s) will use your responses to further evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position. Failure to submit this information upon request will result in your disqualification from further consideration.

1) The Geology, Minerals, Energy & Geophysics Science Center (GMEGSC) conducts sustained, high quality earth science research in support of the USGS Mission, with a primary focus on geologic mapping and crustal studies, mineral resources and related environmental health, unconventional/geothermal energy resources, landslide hazards, terrestrial and marine paleoclimate studies, and geologic carbon sequestration. GMEGSC conducts this research regionally, nationally, and globally as needed through strategic partnerships with Federal, State and local government agencies, universities, Tribes, and other groups. Please describe your experience leading successful partnerships with staff, management, and external collaborators in accomplishing the scientific and operational work critical to your organization. Please provide examples of your experience in fostering partnerships and dealing with conflicts when advancing the type of research described above.

2) The GMEGSC Center Director formulates short- and long-range operational plans, establishes goals and objectives, assesses facility and staffing needs, administers the Center's budget, and supports and implements USGS policies. The incumbent coordinates and supports research scientists and scientific support staff; manages the Center's staff; and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for the workforce. Please describe your background fulfilling demanding administrative and financial responsibilities in a complex, dynamic work environment and your approach to leading and managing personnel requiring different levels of supervision, including examples.

To preview the questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12091723

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