Geographer
2 weeks ago
Clarification from the agency
Open to all qualified U.S. citizens.
Duties
As a Geographer within the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:
Supports planning, coordination, and execution of studies of coastal change hazards on beaches, barrier islands, and wetlands. Conducts routine field assessments of geologic processes to test scientific hypotheses. Maintains and deploys data collection systems such as uncrewed aerial systems (drones), tethered balloons, autonomous surface vessels, and other mapping systems. Plans and executes field collection of GNSS data (establishes reference marks, conducts elevation-survey campaigns, post-processes survey data) in support of coastal studies. Collects and analyzes ground-, air-, and satellite-based geospatial and time series data in support of research projects on climate and coastal change throughout a large state or a region of several states. Gathers, tabulates, and summarizes collected data. Develops and maintains collections of geospatial and time-series data. Conducts structure-from-motion photogrammetric analyses of imagery to produce precise and accurate high-resolution orthomosaics and digital elevation models. Produces accurate elevation models from lidar datasets. Designs and conducts analyses of raw field data using both standard and novel protocols to generate derived metrics. Leads compilation, reporting, metadata preparation, and formal release of field data. Analyzes remotely sensed, geographic, and/or biologic data using geographic information systems (GIS), image processing software and computer scripts. Uses GIS to create graphic representations in the form of digital maps and other tools. Uses graphics software to illustrate scientific hypotheses, data, and results of analyses. Helps plan operations to meet program objectives x Leads compilation, reporting, metadata preparation, and formal release of field data. Assists in analysis, writing and reviewing scientific reports to evaluate findings and document study progress. Works on a team and communicates with scientific staff. Gathers, organizes, and interprets a wide variety data pertinent to geologic studies or investigations. Develops and maintains computer databases. Provides support and assistance to scientific collaborators concerning the use of mapping, remote sensing, and geospatial data. Physical Demands: Work of the position requires field work entailing physical effort such as walking over rough terrain, climbing on landforms to place equipment, or walking on wet or slippery surfaces.Work Environment : Field work may take place in adverse weather conditions including extremes of heat and cold.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Key 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 must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? Must be able to provide a copy of and maintain FAA Part 107 Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) certification for the duration of employment Driver's License/Driving Record - You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license & a copy of your driving record. 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 Geographer, all grade levels.
Degree in geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields. A combination of education and experience-- courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semesters hours in geography or related fields, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education. 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-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:
**Master's or equivalent graduate degree in geography or other directly related field of study or 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in geography 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 geography that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service.
Examples of such experience may include supporting photogrammetric field collections using and operating UAS systems, autonomous vehicles and demonstrating a general understanding of the rules and procedures set forth by the FAA for flying an unmanned aircraft system commercially. Support the production of products using photogrammetric techniques, navigation systems and GPS technologies, to create a map product from data collected in the field. This work typically involves supporting project timelines and deliverables using conventional methods and techniques. At this level, geologists or geographers, can perform scientific work with oversight from supervisors and higher-level colleagues. Products will be monitored through communication of progress.
**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.
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:
**Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree in geography or other directly related field of study or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (54 semester hours, 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. in geography 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 geography that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service.
Examples of such experience may include planning and executing complex photogrammetric field collections using and operating UAS systems, autonomous vehicles and demonstrating a general understanding of the rules and procedures set forth by the FAA for flying an unmanned aircraft system commercially. Produce products using photogrammetric techniques, navigation systems and GPS technologies, to create a map product from data collected in the field. This work typically involves managing project timelines and deliverables independently using conventional methods and techniques though it requires going beyond clear precedents and adapting methods to complex problems, and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, geologists or geographers, can independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty and communicate progress and results to a variety of stakeholders (both technical and non-technical).
**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the second year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.
Selective Placement Factor - In addition to meeting the basic qualifications described above, you must also meet the following selective placement factor in order to qualify for this position: I certify that I have a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot UAS Airman Certification (or Private Pilot equivalent) issued by the FAA and have included it in my application package.
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.