Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Lewistown and Matla, MT. Information about Montana and the surrounding area can be found at Lewistown Field Office | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov) & Malta Field Office | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov) We expect to fill 1 vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Duties

Applies a variety of processes and analytical methods to the preparation and analysis of field/remote sensing observations and/or laboratory samples. Applies a broad range of geologic and/or geochemical techniques to acquire data and samples. Analyzes and interprets geological and geophysical data and independently carries out detailed investigations. Communicates findings in a variety of formats and settings. Makes oral presentations of technical documentation at professional meetings, coordination meetings, design briefings, or other technical briefings. Develops science investigations related to geological sciences, including defining the hypotheses to be tested, methods to be used, and estimating the budget and schedule required to complete the investigation. Personally prepares or contributes technically authoritative reports on geologic and related studies.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
• May require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. In addition to meeting the basic entry requirement, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education of the position to be found qualified. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. Specialized Experience, GS-11: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-9 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: 1) Investigate and characterize geological conditions within standard guidelines; 2) Assisting in hazardous waste and material removal analysis and recommendations; 3) Conducting geological hazard analysis. OR three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the field of geology or directly related fields of study; OR have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years may be combined with experience. Specialized Experience, GS-12: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: 1) Investigate and characterize geological conditions associated with varied and complex problems, projects or studies, such as part of a CERCLA response; 2) Serving as program officer on hazardous waste, material removal agreements, and/or contract officer's representative on hazardous waste and material removal contracts; 3) Conducting geological hazard analysis, resources and environmental assessment analysis, and site response; 4) Coordinating and negotiating with Federal, State and local government, officials, industry representatives, tribal authorities, and the public regarding Abandoned Mine Lands, Hazardous Materials Management, and Minerals Leasing Act, and other hazardous substances issues associated with public lands, actions, or facilities; 5) Experience and familiarity with related technical disciplines, such as engineering, toxicology, and soil science, and skill in adapting practices from these fields where relevant guidance is lacking. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. Physical Demands: During emergency response periods, training of personnel on new equipment, or field work, the scientist may be expected to hike distances of several kilometers over uneven terrain while carrying equipment. Field work may require working in remote field sites with limited to no services. Field work may require the use of proper personal protective gear, working in dusty, hot, humid, and extreme cold environments, occasional off-road driving of 4-wheel drive vehicles, traveling to remote field sites in helicopters or small fixed wing planes, and/or boats. Lifting of equipment and objects weighing up to may be necessary. Work Environment: Field work may involve encounters with dangerous fauna and flora, and other wilderness dangers. Geology position with duties that involve subsurface investigation require geologists to work near drill rigs or mines and heavy equipment. Geology positions with duties that involve construction or hazard support require geologists to work near heavy equipment and hazards. Some work may be carried out in proximity to explosives.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement which requires that you have a degree in engineering or geology, or a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Basic Requirement, Geology Series:
A. Have a bachelor's or higher degree in geology, plus 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. Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Note: Evaluation of Experience: Acceptable experience may have been gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing. Experience that involved only one phase of geology work, e.g., collecting samples, would not be acceptable as providing the required professional knowledge of the theory and principles of geology. In some situations, professional scientific experience in other fields may be accepted in part as professional geological experience. Such experience must have been preceded by appropriate education in geology or by professional geological experience and must have contributed directly and significantly to the professional geological competence. Examples include some positions in geophysics, mining engineering, soils science, physical oceanography, hydrology, climatology, biology, analytic or experimental chemistry, metallurgy, and comparable fields where the normal duties or results of investigations have been extended to the solution of geologic problems. Ordinary functions of positions such as seismic, computer, petroleum or mining engineer, mine superintendent, or metallurgist generally are not considered professional geological experience. To receive credit for geological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional geological positions, you are responsible for clearly indicating the actual time or percentage of time devoted to geologic duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the geologic functions.

If using education to qualify, you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. See Required Documents section for more information.

Contacts

• Address BLM Montana State Office BLM Montana State Office, MT-933 Branch of Human Resources 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 US
• Name: Jacqueline Cochrane
• Phone: (948)-205-1458
• Email: [email protected]