Salary: -Las Vegas, NV: GS-9: $61,203 (Step 1) to $79,563 (Step 10) GS-11: $74,050 (Step 1) to $96,263 (Step 10) GS-12: $88,756 (Step 1) to $115,379 (Step 10) -San Diego, CA: GS-9: $68,297 (Step 1) to $88,786 (Step 10) GS-11: $82,633 (Step 1) to $107,421 (Step 10) GS-12: $99,044 (Step 1) to $128,752 (Step 10) 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.

Duties

As a Geologist within the California Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include: Perform complex analysis of field/remote sensing observations. Make geological observations, measurements, and computations. Prepares/Contributes to technically authoritative reports. Participates in development of project plans that outline the scope, schedule, and budgets. Physical Demands: Some work of the position takes place mostly in an office or laboratory setting. No special physical effort is required. 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 50 pounds may be necessary. Work Environment: Some work takes place in office or laboratory settings with adequate heat, light, and ventilation. Office conditions do not require special safety precautions; field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rain or snow, and hazardous conditions such as exposure to extreme temperature, noxious or toxic gasses, ice, or flooding. Field work may involve encounters with dangerous fauna and flora, and other wilderness dangers. International field work may be conducted in culturally hostile areas. Geology position with duties that involve subsurface investigation require geologists to work near drill rigs and heavy equipment. Geology positions with duties that involve construction support require geologists to work near heavy equipment and construction hazards. Some work is carried out in proximity to explosives.

Requirements

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 course work 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 successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE For GS-09: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level: Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in geology or other directly related field of study or master's or equivalent graduate degree in geology 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 in geology that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience may include performing a variety of observations, computations, compilations and analyses in assisting higher level Geologists in carrying out geologic assignments. This work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures and would have required a good general working knowledge of the principles and the theories of geology. **OR** A combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education as described above that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above. 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 geology or other directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in geology 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 in geology that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could 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 geologic work. 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, Geologists have a sound working knowledge of the principles of geology and 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. HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE For GS-12: 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-11 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include planning and executing complex geologic studies, which usually involved intensive investigations into recognized phenomena. This work typically involved conventional methods & techniques though it required going beyond clear precedents and required adapting methods to the problems at hand and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, Geologists have a very good knowledge of the principles of geology and their application, and the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty. 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 RESEARCH DRILLING PROGRAM 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US
• Name: Tamara Lamb-Ghenee
• Phone: 303-236-9577
• Email: [email protected]