Research Geologist - Mountain View, United States - U.S. Department of the Interior



U.S. Department of the Interior Mountain View, United States

3 weeks ago

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Description
Summary
General Information About This Position

Salary: $128,717 (Step 01) to $167,336 (Step 10); First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

There is currently only one vacancy to be filled, however this job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in the advertised office or other U.S. Geological Survey offices in the local commuting area.
This job is open to
Duties
As a Research Geologist within the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:
• Conducts collaborative research, developmental research, and service studies in climate and land use change for the U.S. Geological Survey.
• Plans and conducts scientific research on the paleoclimatology and paleoceanography of the North Pacific region.
• Employs and develops techniques for studying the diatom microfossil content of marine sediment cores to understand past variations in sea ice environments as context to inform future changes in Arctic sea ice.
• Present original scientific results in the form of journal articles in peer-reviewed publications and scientific reports.
• May operate a government-owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver.

Work Environment: The work is usually conducted in an office setting. If the work will be conducted in a laboratory setting, exposure to thermal and chemical hazards may be present. Work may also be conducted on research vessels of a variety of sizes, and the incumbent will be susceptible to hazards associated with these research platforms, such as vessel movement and rocking due to high winds and waves that may induce sea sickness.

Physical Demands: Work in the office involves normal safety precautions typical of office settings. Fieldwork may require moderate to significant physical exertion such as walking over rough, uneven ground, climbing steep hillsides and rocky surfaces, and passing through dense vegetation. Lifting of moderately heavy objects, such as packs filled with rock samples, may also be necessary.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
• More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
• Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
• Selectee subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.

Special Requirements For This Position

• This vacancy is limited to the first 35 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of the application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
• Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
• 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 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 Geologist, 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 geology. In addition to the geology coursework included in the degree, it must also have included or been supplemented by 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining, or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography.

**OR

B. A combination of education and experience-course work as shown in 'A' above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in geology plus 20 additional semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of courses as specified in 'A' 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 the successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in 'A' above. (CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

For GS-13:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in geology that is equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service.

Examples of such experience could include planning, executing, and reporting on original paleoceanographic or geologic studies, or ongoing studies requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems. The complexity of this work typically requires adaptation or modification of standard procedures, methods, and techniques, or the development of new methods and techniques to address novel or obscure problems for which guidelines or precedents are not substantially applicable. At this level, Geologists have extensive knowledge of the principles of geology and highly developed ability in their application, and wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility.

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.