This position and is being advertised concurrently with the following announcements: Open to all U.S. Citizens: USGS-DEN-24-12303862-DE-MDB

Duties

As a Physical Scientist within the Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center, some of your specific duties will include: Manages the operation and maintenance of X-ray instruments and associated facilities. Manages the workflow of the X-ray laboratory. Ensures that QA/QC procedures and documentation meet or exceed center, mission area, and bureau quality data management systems standards. Applies appropriate analytical methods to analyze geological, environmental, and biological samples. Communicates with national and international peers through participation in scientific conferences and training opportunities. Participates in writing interpretive reports and articles based on geological and geochemical data for professional review. Operates a government owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requires working in a scientific laboratory for long periods of time which may include standing, sitting, and repetitive movements. Physical exertion may include moving and handling heavy gas cylinders, liquid gas tanks, and other equipment. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is in a laboratory setting. Potential hazards include potential X-ray generating equipment, radiological materials, high-pressure gas tanks, high voltage, acids, and carcinogenic solvents. Strict safety precautions are observed. The incumbent is expected to follow guidelines associated with such hazards in the "Laboratory Safety and Instrumental Procedures Handbook". While performing work in the laboratory the incumbent is expected to wear protective gear required by the procedure being performed.

Requirements

Qualifications

Definitions: EXPERIENCE: One year of work experience is twelve months working full-time (at least 35-40 hours per week). Part-time experience can be pro-rated (i.e., a year at 20 hours per week is credited as 6 months of experience). If your position consisted of mixed duties, experience credit is given for the percentage of time that you spent on qualifying duties (i.e., if you held a position for 2 years, full-time, consisting of 25% personnel work and 75% budget work, and then applied for a budget position you could calculate your experience as follows: 2 yrs = 24 months. 24 months x 75% [percentage of time spent on budget duties] = 18 months of qualifying experience.) UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: A year of undergraduate education is 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours or the equivalent of college study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent was a prerequisite. GRADUATE EDUCATION: In the absence of specific graduate program information, a year of graduate education is 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of graduate level college course work, or the number of credit hours the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full time study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist, 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. **OR 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. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE) For GS-12: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-12 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-11 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 relevant experience may include planning and conducting mineralogical and elemental analyses using advanced analytical techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD) and wave-length dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), data interpretation and synthesis, and managing the operation and maintenance of instruments and associated facilities. This work typically involves conventional methods and techniques though it can require going beyond clear precedents, adapting methods and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, physical scientists can independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty. For GS-13: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-13 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-12 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 relevant experience may include planning and conducting mineralogical and elemental analyses using advanced analytical techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD) and wave-length dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), data interpretation and synthesis, and managing the operation and maintenance of instruments and associated facilities. The complexity of this work typically requires extensive modification of established methods and techniques, or the development of new methods and techniques to address novel or obscure problems for which guidelines or precedents were not substantially applicable. At this level, physical scientists have wide latitude to exercise 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.
• 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 .

Contacts

• Address GEOL AND GEOPHYSICS AND GEOCHEM SC 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US
• Name: Michael Battle
• Phone: 303-236-9556
• Email: [email protected]