Physical Scientist

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

Summary Continued:

Salary:
Location Negotiable After Selection - The duty station of this position may be any USGS location that is agreed upon by the selecting official and the selectee. If the agreed upon location results in the relocation of the selectee, the travel, transportation, and relocation expenses are not authorized. Salary dependent upon the agreed upon duty location of the position. Locality pay tables can be found .

NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01 .

Duties:

As a Physical Scientist (Data Scientist) within the National Cooperative Geological Mapping Program, some of your specific duties will include:

Coordinates protocols and procedures necessary for data management, data integration, publication of data and metadata, preserving and providing public access to scientific data. The incumbent oversees use of data management systems in the Center.

Develops new and enhances existing data management systems that meet current and future requirements of the organization and its customers, such as implementing new database structures and formats, introducing new methodologies, and converting legacy data to new formats. Monitors and optimizes database performance and tunes database operations; troubleshoots database problems; maintains version control of database entities.

Provides input in determining the most appropriate methods for delivering information via the Internet; creates Internet applications that enhance user-developed content and meet scientific and technical requirements. Builds and implements web-enabled database applications and manages Internet servers.

Advises Center scientists and data stewards within data projects to help implement appropriate practices and procedures for the Center's data management workflow; reviews and provides input to data management plans; creates and manages digital object identifiers (DOI)s for data and/or software releases; coordinates, contributes to, and/or reviews data and metadata prior to approval; facilitates the preparation and finalization of approved data and/or software for release; assists in oversight of use of Bureau and/or Center data repositories; manages the preservation process; advises Center stewards and other collaborators on data management procedures and best practices; and provides insight for evaluation and use of data management tools and science databases.

Physical Demands : The work is usually sedentary but may include lifting of light office objects. Occasional travel is required to training, meetings, conferences, or to the field.

Work Environment: The work is generally performed in an office environment that is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Some travel may be required.

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. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? This vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes. 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. 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 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 FOR DETAILS ON 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 directly related field of study or master's or equivalent graduate degree in 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-7 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: Assisting in development and management of data sharing agreements; assist in oversight of use of data repositories; assisting with implementation of protocols and procedures necessary for data management, data integration, publication of data and metadata, preserving and providing public access to scientific data.

**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. (CLICK FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & 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 directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in 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-9 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: Helping to develop and oversee practices and procedures for data management workflows and data sharing agreements; reviewing data management plans; assisting in development and management of data sharing agreements; creating and managing digital object identifiers (DOI)s for data and/or software releases; coordinating and/or reviewing data and metadata prior to approval.

**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 FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

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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