What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? The government-wide direct hire authority for Physical Scientist, GS-1301 is being used to fill this position. Salary dependent upon the duty location selected. Locality pay tables can be found here NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 1. This position is under a bargaining unit.

Duties

As a Physical Scientist within the National Minerals Information Center, some of your specific duties will include:

Requirements

Qualifications

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-11: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level: **Three years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours, 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in physical science or other directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral 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-09 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 independent responsibility for a well-defined study or for a phase of a larger study that required the planning and carrying out of routine physical science work related to mining and mineral processing industry, production operations and/or exploration activities; performing nonfuel mineral commodity supply chain analyses; compiling data from statistical surveys of mineral producers, evaluating results, and preparing tables for publication. This work would have required the individual to select and make minor adaptations to procedures and accepted practices and handle unexpected conditions arising in the normal course of the work. At this level, physical scientists have the ability to independently perform moderately difficult and responsible scientific work. **OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described, above that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & 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 such experience may include independent responsibility for creating and completing a well-defined study or responsibility for completing a phase of a larger study that required the planning and carrying out of routine work related to mining and mineral processing industry, production operations and/or exploration activities; performing nonfuel mineral commodity supply chain analyses; compiling data from statistical surveys of mineral producers, evaluating results, and preparing tables for publication. This work would have required the individual to select and make minor adaptations to procedures and accepted practices and handle unexpected conditions arising in the normal course of the work. At this level, individuals have the ability to independently perform difficult scientific work. 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 such experience may include independent responsibility for creating and managing project team members in completing a well-defined study or for phases of a larger study that required the planning and carrying out of work related to mining and mineral processing industry, production operations and/or exploration activities; performing nonfuel mineral commodity supply chain analyses; compiling data from statistical surveys of mineral producers, evaluating results, and preparing tables for publication. This work would have required the individual to select and develop process improvements and adaptations to procedures and accepted practices and handle unexpected conditions arising in the normal course of the work. At this level, individuals have the ability to independently perform and manage project teams to perform difficult scientific work. 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 NATIONAL MINERALS INFORMATION CENTER 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US
• Name: Samantha Albino
• Phone: 703-648-7468
• Email: [email protected]