Physical Scientist

Summary

The Government-Wide direct hire authority for Physical Science is being used to fill this position.

Salary by duty location can be found here.

COLA for Anchorage, Alaska - The selectee will be entitled to a cost of living allowance of 1.69% in addition to the basic salary.

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

Learn more about this agency This job is open to

• The public
  
  

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  
  

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

DutiesAs a Physical Scientist within the Natural Hazards Mission Area - Volcano Hazards Program, some of your specific duties will include:

• Serves as a senior science advisor on the state of volcano hazard science, providing leadership for collaborative work in the USGS Volcano Hazards Program to address current and emerging demands. Contributes to the overall strategic science direction for the USGS Volcano Hazards Program and the effective development and delivery of observations, information products, assessments, and forecasts related to volcanic hazard activity, related multi-hazard risk reduction, and community resilience.
• Develops and articulates effective cooperative volcanic hazard monitoring, mapping, and research strategies and oversees engagement with partner geologic organizations including state geological surveys and tribal nation and territorial geological and scientific entities, academic institutions, and their international equivalents.
• Oversees and leads teams and workgroups composed of people from across the scientific, technical, and policy sectors including the federal interagency related to the Volcano Hazards Program. Fully supports the goals and objectives of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace.
• Oversees, writes, and delivers clear, timely technical reports, or other science products documenting the objectives, scope, approach, results, conclusions, monitoring and evaluation of geologic hazard and risk assessment and communication activities.
  
  

Physical DemandsWork EnvironmentRequirementsConditions of EmploymentKey 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.
• Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
  
  

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• This vacancy is limited to the first 50 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 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.
• Pre-Employment Medical - 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 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.

• 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
• 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-14

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-14 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-13 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 would include: leadership of activities that require coordinated planning and execution across a complex organizational structure of geologic hazard research, product development, and delivery. Resulting efforts identified emerging scientific direction and stakeholder and user information needs through assessment and selection of methods and technologies, often adapted to new applications; and involved complex human relations requiring effective written and verbal communication of complex technical principles to technical and non-technical audiences to demonstrate effectiveness and relevance. The results of these efforts had significant effect in developing or shaping science products with potential to inform disaster risk reduction policy and management decisions or provided strategic direction for complex organizations and guidance to senior technical experts responsible for execution of strategy and direction. Experience would also include familiarity with budget planning and implementation and science communication and outreach activities.

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/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.
• Payment of Relocation Expenses - Relocation expenses are authorized.
• 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:

• 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.
  
  

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.