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Interdisciplinary Geographer, Engineer, Physical Scientist (Data Management)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Reston, Virginia
Closing date
Mar 4, 2021
Duties

Summary

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

Salary
:GS-07- $49,157 (Step 01) to $63,906 (Step 10)GS-09- $60,129 (Step 01) to $78,167 (Step 10)

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

Open to all U.S. citizens under: USGS-RES-11026236-DE-IB
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a Interdisciplinary Data Scientist within the Geology, Energy and Minerals Service Center, some of your specific duties will include:

1. Coordinate protocols and procedures necessary for data management, data integration, publication of data and metadata; preserve and provide public access to scientific data.

2. Develop new, and enhance existing data management systems that meet current and future requirements of the organization and its customers, such as implementing new database structures and formats, introducing new methodologies, and converting legacy data to new formats.

3. Monitor and optimize database performance and tune database operations; troubleshoot database problems; maintain version control of database entities.

4. Provide input in determining the most appropriate methods for delivering information via the Internet; create Internet applications that enhance user-developed content and meet scientific and technical requirements.

5. Build and implement web-enabled database applications and manages Internet servers.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment



Key Requirements :
  • Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
  • More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information..
  • Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement
    Agency Benefits :
    • USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
    • For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies .
    • Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave , and holidays ; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts , and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System .


    Qualifications

    BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for Engineers : Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for General Engineer 0801, all grade levels:

    A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

    B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: 1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. 2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. 3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. 4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.)

    For GS-0801-07 :

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

    Possess at least 1 year of directly related progressively higher-level graduate education.

    **OR Superior Academic Achievement - I meet one of the following: upper third of my graduating class based on completed courses; GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 on official transcript based on 4 years college, or based on courses completed in final 2 years of curriculum, or GPA 3.5 or higher based on average of required major courses competed in final 2 years of curriculum; Member of a national scholastic honor society recognized by Assoc. of College Honor Societies.

    **OR successfully completed a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering.

    **OR possess at least 1-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Examples may include: applying judgement in the independent application of the methods and techniques or precedents previously learned; and solving problems involving several variables that must be discerned and provided for in the process of completing assignments.

    **OR possess a combination of related graduate level education and appropriate specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.

    For GS-0801-09 :

    In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:

    Possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 level. Examples may include: performing literature reviews to gather information used for regulatory or scientific purposes; reviewing and evaluating scientific data to determine accuracy and completeness; and preparing reports or presentations related to the results of scientific tests or studies.

    **OR Possess at least 2 years of directly related progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

    **OR possess 1 year of appropriate professional experience (i.e., non-routine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability) AND have successfully completed a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering.

    **OR possess a combination of 1 year of appropriate professional experience (i.e., non-routine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability) AND Superior Academic Achievement (upper third of my graduating class based on completed courses; or GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 on official transcript based on 4 years college, or based on courses completed in final 2 years of curriculum, or GPA 3.5 or higher based on average of required major courses competed in final 2 years of curriculum; or Member of a national scholastic honor society recognized by Assoc. of College Honor Societies).

    **OR possess a combination of graduate level education as described above, beyond the first year of progressive graduate study, and appropriate professional experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.

    BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for Geographer : Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Geographer, 0150, 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.

    QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED BELOW IN THE EDUCATION SECTION.

    Education

    QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED

    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.

    For GS-0150-07 :

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

    **One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in geography 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 one year of appropriate professional experience in geography that is equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include involvement in the collection and identification of geographic information concerning the exact location and place names of physical and cultural features, population changes during a specified time period in a given place or area, and changes in topographic features. This level of work would have involved receiving close guidance, clear, specific, and detailed instructions, carrying out assignments in accordance with established procedures and would have required a basic knowledge of the principles of geography.

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

    For GS-0150-09 :

    In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:

    **Master's or equivalent graduate degree in geography or other directly related field of study or 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in geography 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 one year of appropriate professional experience in geography that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include compiling and evaluating basic geographical facts from a variety of specified sources, ascertaining discrepancies in data, and presenting geographical information from specified maps, charts, and other source materials in the most useful format. This level of work would have involved following established procedures or detailed instructions and would have required a familiarity with a variety of basic geographic tools and sources.

    **OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.

    BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for Physical Scientist : Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist 1301, 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.

    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.

    For GS-1301-07 :

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

    **One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in physical science 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.

    **ORone 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 perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of 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. This work experience would have involved receiving 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.

    QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED BELOW IN THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION.

    Additional information

    QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED

    For GS-1301-09 :

    In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:

    **Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in physical science or other directly related field of study or master's or equivalent graduate degree in physical science 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 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-7 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 performing a variety of observations, computations, compilations and analyses in assisting higher-level scientists in carrying out physical science assignments. This work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; and independently completing recurring assignments, but referring deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations to a designated person for decision or help. **OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.

    You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    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:
    • Mathematical Functions
    • Collect Scientific Data
    • Compile/Analyze Data
    • Decisionmaking
    • Information Management
    • Interpersonal Communication
    • Plan and Organize Work
    • Technology Application
    • Scientific Knowledge
    • Written Communication
    Other Information :
    • 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 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
    --Basis of Rating: 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, you will receive a numerical rating based on your on-line responses to the application questions. These responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible.

    Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

    --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/11026237

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Not Required

    Drug test required
    No

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

    Trust determination process
    Credentialing

    Required Documents

    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 .
    Required Documents

    Required documents may be: (1) faxed to the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy announcement; or (2) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (3) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments; or (4) hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office listed in the vacancy announcement.

    Transcripts

    --If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Please ensure that all documentation is legible.

    Current & Former Federal Employees

    -- If you are a current career or career-conditional Federal employee OR a former Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility? you must submit the following by the closing date of this announcement, or you will not receive consideration as such:
    • a copy of a recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, position title, occupational series, grade level and step?; and
    • your most recent performance appraisal (if you do not have your most recent performance appraisal, please submit an explanation as to why it is unavailable); and
    • if applicable, a list of any awards you received in the last 5 years (i.e., superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.).

    Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)

    --If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), you must submit proof that supports your claim. This may include:
    • A legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation or statement from the Armed Forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions.
    • If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans' preference or that shows length of service, AND that your character of military service is honorable.
    • Additional information can be found in the VetGuide .

    Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles

    --If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes:
    • copy of the agency notice;
    • your most recent Performance Rating; and
    • your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
    If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here .

    REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CONTINUED BELOW IN THE HOW TO APPLY SECTION.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    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.

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