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Geographer, GS-0150-09/11/12, Census-DE-EP

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Suitland, Maryland
Closing date
Mar 8, 2021
Duties

Summary

This vacancy is for a Geographer position in the Field 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, GS-0150-9/11/12, FPL-12 positions within the Census Bureau the same geographical location, qualifications and specialized experience.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

  • Use geographic concepts, tools, and systems to update address listing systems and databases and/or produce geographic and cartographic products.
  • Write technical documents, letters, papers, and presentations for audiences of various levels and expertise.
  • Conduct and facilitate discussions, meetings, presentations with a variety of staff and stakeholders to gather and disseminate information.
  • Manage geographic projects by developing and monitoring requirements and specifications, schedules, deliverables, and communications to meet the goals of the organization.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - Travel may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. citizen.
  • Suitable for Federal employment.
  • Registered for Selective Service if applicable. (www.sss.gov)
  • You may be required to complete a financial disclosure (OGE-450).


Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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 FLD-2021-0015 , Geographer, GS-0150-09/11/12, Census-MP-EP .

A probationary period may be required.

This position is ELIGIBLE for telework; additional criteria will be required (e.g., supervisory approval).

This is a BARGAINING unit position.

Relocation expenses may be paid.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and individual states being in different phases of reopening, once the selectee becomes an employee, the report date to the official duty station/facility may be delayed until such time that management notifies the employee of their requirement to report. Until it is safe to relocate, the employee may be approved to telework to the maximum extent possible, up to and including full-time.

Qualifications

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-09, 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 experience working with geographic information systems and address list development; experience performing geographic and/or geospatial analysis; experience performing geographic operations related to geocoding and/or spatial updates and coordinates; experience using Census geography and geographic concepts; experience preparing and writing technical documents, specifications, guidelines and letters with clarity, few errors, in concise language; experience conducting discussions, meetings, presentations for various audience; experience conducting training and/or presenting complex technical information to non-technical audiences; experience coordinating group activities; experience working on teams to set priorities and project schedules; experience using office software to generate reports and presentations; experience using Excel or other spreadsheet software to manipulate and analyze data and prepare reports; experience using automated tools to track projects and experience designing and running queries in databases.

OR

Education: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

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 experience working with geographic information systems and address list development; experience performing geographic and/or geospatial analysis; experience performing geographic operations related to geocoding and/or spatial updates and coordinates; experience using Census geography and geographic concepts; experience preparing and writing technical documents, specifications, guidelines and letters with clarity, few errors, in concise language; experience conducting discussions, meetings, presentations for various audience; experience conducting training and/or presenting complex technical information to non-technical audiences; experience coordinating activities within a team, experience leading teams, setting priorities and project schedules; experience using office software to generate reports and presentations; experience using Excel or other spreadsheet software to manipulate and analyze data and prepare reports; experience using automated tools to track projects and experience designing and running queries in databases.

OR

Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

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 experience working with geographic information systems and address list development; experience performing geographic and/or geospatial analysis; experience performing geographic operations related to geocoding and/or spatial updates and coordinates; experience using Census geography and geographic concepts; experience preparing and writing technical documents, specifications, guidelines and letters with clarity, few errors, in concise language; experience conducting discussions, meetings, presentations for various audience; experience conducting training and/or presenting complex technical information to non-technical audiences; experience managing technical projects in support of geographic operations involving multiple stakeholders, experience leading teams, setting priorities and project schedules; experience working with teams and individuals to identify and resolve problems that affect the accomplishment of geographic program goals and objectives; experience managing project documentation such as project plans and requirements; experience using office software to generate reports and presentations; experience using Excel or other spreadsheet software to manipulate and analyze data and prepare reports; experience using automated tools to track projects; and experience designing and running queries in databases.

Education cannot be substituted for 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 experience.

Education

Additional information

The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.
  • VRA (GS-11 or below)
  • VEOA ( permanent positions )
  • 30% or more disabled
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • CTAP
  • ICTAP

The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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.

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.

Preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold).

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
  • Ability to use geographic information systems (GIS) and tools.
  • Ability to communicate complex concepts and terms.
  • Ability to manage geographic projects.
  • Skill using general office software such as Microsoft Office products.

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:
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
  • Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

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

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

A complete application consists of the following:
  • Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire. Your resume should also indicate your citizenship and if you are registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
  • Veterans' Preference Documentation: Please indicate on your resume the type of veterans' preference you are claiming and provide the appropriate supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.) to validate your claim. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .
  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable (see other information).
  • Education Documentation: If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. This also applies to Census Bureau employees. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp for more information.

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. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html . 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.

CTAP and ICTAP Eligibles

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:
  • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice);
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.

  • ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
  • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination, certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a work-related compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement.
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade/band level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

  • NOTE: You will not be considered if you fail to provide all required documents.

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