This vacancy is for a GEOGRAPHER position in the Population Division located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other GEOGRAPHER, 0150-9/11/12, FPL GS-12 positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
This vacancy is for a GEOGRAPHER position in the Population Division located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other GEOGRAPHER, 0150-9/11/12, FPL GS-12 positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
This vacancy is advertised under 2 different announcements. Please read the 'Who May Apply' section carefully to determine your eligibility. If you are not eligible under this announcement, please see 24-POP-12424077-MP-TC, Geographer, GS-0150-9/11/12, CENSUS-MP-TC.
Minimum Education Requirement:
Degree: 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
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
AND
Specialized Experience: For the GS-9, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and programming in Python and R to analyze and edit geographic layers and demographic data sets; Assisting with the design and program techniques for geo-demographic data analysis and problem-solving; and Providing preliminary responses to geographic-oriented questions to program officials and the public.
OR
Education: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Utilizing and applying geographic information systems (GIS) and programming in Python and R to analyze and edit geographic layers and demographic data sets; ; Assisting with the design and program techniques for geo-demographic data analysis and problem-solving; Presenting research and technical results orally or in writing in meetings, conferences, and publications; and Providing advice and guidance to program officials and the public on geographic programs while keeping abreast of geo-demographic developments.
OR
Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and programming in Python and R to analyze and edit geographic layers and demographic data sets; Designing and implementing advanced techniques for geo-demographic data analysis and problem-solving; Overseeing projects relating to geographic and demographic data analysis; Presenting research and technical results orally or in writing in meetings, conferences, and publications; and Providing advice and guidance to program officials and the public on geographic programs while keeping abreast of geo-demographic developments.
Education: Education cannot be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are "gold," "silver," and "bronze." Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. You will be evaluated against your responses to the online questionnaire and the use of a Structured Resume Review. Your resume will be evaluated to measure your responses to the online assessment questions. We will compare your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions. Your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire. If you rated yourself higher on the questionnaire than what is supported by your resume, your overall qualifications assessment score may be lowered.
During the Structured Resume Review, a Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. Applicants passing the structured resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.
Upon completion of the Structured Resume Review, candidates identified as "best qualified" will be referred to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
Note: You may be required to do a job talk or presentation if interviewed for this position.
How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed.
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
For more information on category rating, please go to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating .
We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.
Do NOT include the following types of information in your application:
A complete application consists of the following:
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, refer to the U.S. Department of Education's web site at Academic and Professional Mobility | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).
CTAP and ICTAP candidates:
CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.
CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
NOTE: You will not be considered if you fail to provide all required documents.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 10/01/2024.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at https://www.usajobs.gov.
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at https://usajobs.gov and clicking on "Applications." The status will be visible next to the corresponding positions. The four points of notification are:
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
