Interdisciplinary Geographer/Cartographer

Clarification from the agency

Open to all qualified U.S. citizens as well as individuals eligible for noncompetitive hiring authorities such as those that apply to veterans, individuals with disabilities, military spouses, Peace Corp volunteers, etc

Duties

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) serves as a national catalyst for the organization and distribution of biological, hydrological, geological, and geographical information and addresses the specific needs of the Department of the Interior and its land and resource managers. The USGS is the Nation's largest water, earth, biological science and civilian mapping agency, working in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country with numerous international communities to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers and partners.

The (NGTOC) is the primary operational component within the (NGP), the largest program within the U.S. Geological Survey in terms of appropriated funding, with an annual appropriated budget of approximately $70 million. The NGTOC provides world-class geospatial technical expertise and customer service for the USGS and the Nation through fulfilling its responsibilities within the NGP. It is responsible for the acquisition, assessment, and integration of geospatial data in support of The National Map, oversight of Geospatial Data Products and Services Contracts, quality assurance and quality control of products and data produced via contract or by other entities outside of the NGTOC, providing government furnished materials to support contract production, development of national standards and data models to support The National Map, and providing technical assistance to USGS Geospatial Liaisons and state, local and private sector partners.

The GIS Support positions are researchers in the NGTOC Innovation Office. The Innovation Office performs geospatial applied research and investigations to bring leading edge processes, techniques, and technology into use in achieving the goals of the National Geospatial Program (NGP). The Innovation Office also assesses and documents enterprise-level geospatial system requirements and develops systems which meet these requirements.

The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert on geospatial data and its applications for the Applied Research & Technology Branch. The GIS Support Researcher's primary activities include supporting Senior Applied Researchers on applied research for data models, data structures, and derived products and services; and consulting with other scientists in external agencies on issues of geospatial data structures and data models. The GIS Support Researcher also works on planning and formulating long-range plans and programs in leading regional and national program efforts to define and promote opportunities for additional traditional and web-based mapping applications.

The GIS Support Researcher reports directly to an Applied Research & Technology Section Chief. The GIS Support Researcher will support research activities led by others and leading minor applied research projects. The GIS Support Researcher will work in close coordination with their Section Chief and Senior Applied Researchers. This work is carried out at both NGTOC locations (Lakewood, CO and Rolla, MO). This position is not remote eligible but is telework eligible.

As a Cartographer or Geographer within the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center, some of your specific duties will include: Investigate geospatial technology, techniques, data, data formats, and software. Prepares analyses of the costs (time and funds) associated with new product development. Plans, coordinates, and provides technical guidance regarding development activities related to new USGS geospatial data structures, data products, and software. Recommends new products and overseeing prototyping activities. Designs, develops, and implements new geospatial data structures, data models, test plans for geospatial products and services, web services for Serve as an expert for geospatial activities that develop new techniques, solutions, or programs to solve problems and/or introduce new products or services in support of the NGP mission. Independently plans, organizes, and executes geospatial applied research that leads to advancements of existing geospatial data products and services; or new capabilities in support of the NGP mission. Fosters cooperation and communication by developing and using effective interpersonal skills; and developing approaches to promote the effective utilization of personnel, information, and program resources resulting in enhanced operational efficiency that furthers the NGP mission. Duties continued below.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Duties Continued:

Writes comprehensive reports that include authoritative findings and recommendations and serve as bureau precedents; prepares and presents project presentations to Center, Bureau, DOI, and external personnel; and writes related issue papers, standards, and other documents all to advance and enhance the NGP mission by professionally communicating and collaborating with superiors, peers, and others within and outside NGP in the interest of accomplishing NGP objectives. Serves as an agency representative, promotes NGP work on advanced geospatial technology, methods, and trends and advances USGS visibility and contribution to the geospatial industry and community. Plans, authors, organizes, and leads training for NGTOC staff to ensure successful implementation of new procedures and techniques. Plans and holds workshops for external users to encourage the adoption of NGP products and services. Physical Demands: The work is mainly sedentary, sitting for long periods at a computer console.
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting that is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. Occasional travel is required.

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. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? 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

For GS-0150:

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. (CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE) For GS-1370:

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT : Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Cartographer, all grade levels. A. Degree: cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such course work includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e. college-level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites).

**OR

B. Combination of education and experience-courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a minor that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown 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. (CLICK FOR DETAILS ON 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 geography/cartography that is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service.

Examples of such experience may include:

Researching, interpreting, and applying cartographic best practices on geospatial data processing that leads to enhanced topographic map legibility. Preparing and communicating geospatial data and application requirements both orally and in writing to audiences of varying technical ability. Leading and collaborating with geospatial data development teams, following agile cycles to implement, validate, and iterate on geospatial data processing tools and workflows. 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.

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