Geologist - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
About the Job
Summary This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), in a Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) State Office. The primary purpose of the position is to provide the full range of geological services to the assigned geographic area. Responsibilities Conducting sedimentation surveys, geomorphology for support of stream restoration, landslide hazard assessment, soils evaluation, ground and surface water interflow studies, and other conservation work. Applying geologic evaluation for a variety of practices related to specific systems applied such as but not limited to steam crossings, water well decommissioning, dam and spring development and agricultural waste storage facility construction. Preparing written reports to include the interpretations of surface and subsurface conditions and conclusions concerning the suitability of all earth materials and ground water conditions. Developing and presenting findings, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from geological investigations. Developing and/or collecting geological information characterizing groundwater and geologic conditions in the field that impacts the design and construction of engineering practices. Operating and maintaining a geotechnical drill rig to complete soil classification and foundational analysis. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current Federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled (e.g. one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level). Basic Education Requirement: Degree: geology, plus 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; Combination of education and experience: Course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. GS-11 Grade Level: In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 or higher in the Federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes: Assisting in preparing basic geologic analysis services; Assisting in basic application of geologic evaluation; Providing assistance with sedimentation studies; Conducting geologic investigations; Assisting in basic plans and modifying investigations based on knowledge of geologic field. OR Education PHD or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary to do the work of the position such as Geology. OR Combination of education and experience A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours beyond the second year by 18 and add the two percentages. GS-12 Grade level: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 or higher in the Federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes: Preparing basic geologic analysis services; Performing basic application of geologic evaluation; Conducting sedimentation studies; Conducting geologic investigations; Preparing basic plans and modifying investigations based on knowledge of geologic field. There is no substitution of education for the GS-12 level. To view the position's Qualification Requirements of the associated occupational series as outlined in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, General Schedule Qualifications Standards. See the link below: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=0400-ndx 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 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 You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration. 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. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Physical Demands: The work is most often sedentary in nature. Some physical exertion is needed when making area and field office visits. Work Environment: The work is performed in a typical office setting. However, some amount of the work is away from the worksite when traveling for area and field office visits. Some overnight travel is expected. PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following: If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted. If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline. This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8 hour work day, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.
Source : Natural Resources Conservation Service