Research Geologist

at  US Geological Survey

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.
GS-13
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-12 level in the Federal service.
Examples of such experience could include: expertise in economic geology, petrology, mineralogy, geochronology, geologic mapping, and/or geochemistry to pursue investigations into the processes of metallogenesis with a focus on the magmatic, tectonic, and/or other ore-forming processes. Works with a team of geoscience specialists to integrate regional, district, and deposit-scale geologic mapping with laboratory and/or modeling studies on the timing and development of ore systems. Plans, executes, and reports on complex and original studies requiring fresh approaches to address new problems. The complexity of this work typically required extensive modification and adaptation of standard procedures, methods, and techniques, and the development of totally new methods and techniques to address novel or obscure problems for which guidelines or precedents were not substantially applicable. At this level, Geologists have extensive knowledge of the principles of geology and highly developed ability in their application, and wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility.
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 .

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply
• -Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.
• -Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement: 1)Click the blue “Apply Online” button. 2)If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile. 3)As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. 4)Check the “Certification” box and click the “Apply for this position now!” button located at the bottom of the screen. 5)Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy. 6)Submit required documents. 7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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AS A RESEARCH GEOLOGIST WITHIN GEOLOGY, MINERALS, ENERGY AND GEOPHYSICS SCIENCE CENTER, SOME OF YOUR SPECIFIC DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Perform integration of regional, district, and deposit-scale geologic mapping with field, laboratory, and/or modeling studies of the timing and development of magmatic, magmatic-hydrothermal, and/or other environments of ore formation.
• Provide knowledge of economic geology and/or other geologic processes and successfully conduct complex investigations designed to characterize the evolution of mineral deposits and occurrences.
• Work with other project scientists to integrate data and results from various sources and interact with personnel from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as academia and industry, to carry out the objectives of the research and disseminate project findings.
• Serve as a co-project chief, task leader, and/or principal investigator on multiple projects.
• Conduct original research and publish both independently and in collaboration with colleagues.
  Physical Demands: Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Field work and/or laboratory work may be occasionally be required. Field work may require moderate physical exertion such as hiking in hot or cold weather, handling long cores and other rock samples, and using tools such as rock hammers and pry bars. Recurring standing, bending, crouching, stooping, or similar activities may be necessary. Lifting of moderate heavy objects, 25 to 35 pounds, may be necessary.
  Work Environment: Work is mainly performed in an office environment with adequate heating and ventilation. Work in the laboratory may involve risks or discomforts that require the use of masks, gowns, coats, boots, googles, or gloves. Field work may require exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures and uneven terrain.

Salary:

• Tucson, AZ - $100,102 (Step 01) to $130,131 (Step 10);
• Menlo Park, CA - $121,873 (Step 01) to $158,432 (Step 10);
• Spokane, WA - $98,496 (Step 01) to $128,043 (Step 10);

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

Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best-Qualified, Well-Qualified and Qualified. If you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements of this position, you will be contacted via email after the vacancy announcement closes and given 5calendar days to submit narrative responses that address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of this position. You will be rated and ranked based on the information you provide in your resume as well as the responses you submit to the required KSAs. Veterans’ preference rules for category rating will be applied. The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position are as follows:

• Investigations that integrate field and laboratory studies to understand metallogenesis with a specific focus on the magmatic, tectonic, and/or other ore-forming processes associated with mineral deposits in the United States.
• Knowledge and expertise of laboratory investigations in economic geology, petrology, mineralogy, geochronology, geologic mapping, and geochemistry of mineral systems.
• Teamwork experience to bring together expertise in economic geology, mineral-resource assessments, deposit- and district-scale geologic mapping, mineralogy, geophysics, geochronology, and geochemistry.
• Ability to conduct geologic field studies and relating those studies to magmatic and/or mineralizing processes.
• Ability to communicate results of field and laboratory investigations to a variety of audiences