Geological Survey Logo
Position Title
Physical Scientist
Agency
Geological Survey
Announcement Number
USGS-DEN-24-12485220-DE-KTA Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, September 5, 2024 to Friday, September 27, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
Please mark "YES" to all eligibility options below for which you wish to be considered. We can only verify eligibility options for which you claim and provide proper documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section of the announcement for specific requirements. (limit characters)
2. Are you a current Department of the Interior employee who meets the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service that makes you eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)?  If yes, please confirm that you meet all the following eligibility requirements:
  • This position is in the same local commuting area as the position of record from which you will be separated; and
  • This position is at a grade level no higher than the grade of the position of record from which you will be separated; and
  • This position has no greater promotion potential than the position of record from which you will be separated; and
  • You have a current performance rating of record of at least fully successful or the equivalent; and
  • You have not yet been separated. 
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former employee of a Federal agency (other than the Department of the Interior) who meets the definition of displaced from a position in the competitive service that makes you eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)?  If yes, please confirm that you meet all the following eligibility requirements:
  • This position is in the same local commuting area as the position of record from which you were separated; and
  • This position is at a grade level no higher than the grade of the position of record from which you were separated; and 
  • This position has no greater promotion potential than the position of record from which you were separated; and
  • Your last performance rating of record was at least fully successful or the equivalent; and
  • You were separated from your position of record less than one year ago.    
(limit characters)
4. Are you a veteran separated under honorable conditions who has a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?  This includes:
  • Veterans who retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30% or more; or
  • Veterans rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 % or more.
(limit characters)
5. Are you a former overseas employee who meets the eligibility requirements described below? 
  • Must have completed at least 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; and
  • Must have received a performance rating of record that was at least fully successful or the equivalent; and
  • Must have returned to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago.
(limit characters)
6. Are you a National Guard technician who meets the requirements described below for noncompetitive eligibility?
  • Involuntarily separated (other than by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency); and
  • Served at least 3 years as a technician; and
  • Is within the one-year eligibility period from the date of separation as a Guard Technician.
(limit characters)
7. Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who meets one of the eligibility requirements listed below?
  • Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty *OR*
  • You are the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100% at the time of retirement; or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100% from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  *OR*
  • You are the widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces who was killed while in active duty (it does not have to be combat related) and you have not remarried?
(limit characters)
8. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member, or a current or former Peace Corps employee who meets one of the requirements described below for noncompetitive eligibility?
  • Former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months. *OR*
  • Former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student, or other experience related to this position. *OR*
  • Current Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more.  *OR*
  • Former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years.   
(limit characters)
9. Are you a former member of the Public Land Corps (PLC) who meets the requirements below for noncompetitive eligibility?
  • Served as a qualified youth (age 16-30) on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC; and
  • Completed PLC service within the last two years; and
  • Possess a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status (PLC)" signed by a bureau PLC Coordinator.  
(limit characters)
10. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric, or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability Appointment for which you can provide appropriate documentation issued by a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits? (limit characters)
11. Are you a veteran separated under honorable conditions who meets one of the eligibility requirements listed below for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)?  NOTE:  VRA is limited to positions at the GS-11 level or below.
  • Disabled veteran; or
  • Veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or
  • Veteran who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or
  • Recently separated veteran (i.e., within the past 3 years).
(limit characters)
12. Are you a current employee serving in the immediate Office of the President or Vice-President or on the White House Staff who has completed at least 2 years of service? (limit characters)
13. Are you eligible for noncompetitive consideration under a hiring authority not otherwise listed? (limit characters)
14. If your response to the preceding question is yes, please identify the authority for which you claim eligibility below. If your response is no, enter N/A. (limit 250 characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Please select the responses to the questions below that best describes your experience as it relates to this position. (limit characters)
1. Basic Requirements for GS-1301: Choose the one answer that best describes your education and experience as it pertains to the mandatory basic requirements for Physical Scientists.
(limit characters)
2. GS-07: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, you must have professional experience, graduate education, or a combination of professional experience and graduate education. Select the one response that best describes your education and/or experience.
(limit characters)
3. GS-09: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, you must have professional experience, graduate education, or a combination of professional experience and graduate education. Select the one response below that best describes your education and/or experience.
(limit characters)
4. Operate water-quality meters such as pH meter, specific-conductance meter, or dissolved-oxygen meter. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
5. Test and troubleshoot hydrologic instrumentation in the field or office.
(limit characters)
6. Apply understanding of the basic principles of electronics as applied to the installation, operation, and maintenance of permanently installed GPS instrumentation and related power sources (e.g., solar and battery power).
(limit characters)
7. Calibrate water-quality meters and analytical equipment.
(limit characters)
8. Retrieve data from data loggers, download data to a computer (PC) database, and ensure data integrity and quality.
(limit characters)
9. Install, maintain and service hydrologic sensing and recording instruments and associated communications equipment. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
10. Use, repair, and maintain standard chemical laboratory equipment including electrodes, pH meters, centrifuges, balances, and titrators. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
11. Measure field water quality parameters such as pH, water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen and turbidity using in-situ multi-parameter water quality data sonde. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
12. Use understanding of basic electronics as applied to the installation, operation, and maintenance of scientific instrumentation and related power sources (e.g., solar and battery power).
(limit characters)
13. Plan, conduct, and report on parts of hydrologic interpretive studies using established techniques and conventional methods of investigation. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
14. Write or contribute to technical reports and presentations at scientific conferences. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
15. Develop project proposals summarizing objectives, approaches, funding, staffing, and expected results.
(limit characters)
16. Conduct geospatial analyses using geographic information systems, image processing software, and statistical software packages. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
17. Apply knowledge of theories, principles, practices, and techniques of hydrology, water quality, hydraulics, geology, and/or engineering to the interpretation of scientific and technical data.
(limit characters)
18. Conduct alkalinity titrations under field and laboratory conditions.
(limit characters)
19. Experience with using products of the International Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) service such as the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF08), precise ephemerides, and antenna calibration models for conducting baseline data processing, least-squares adjustments, and control network adjustment analysis of high-accuracy GNSS solutions. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
20. Apply broad principles of the earth and hydrologic sciences.
(limit characters)
21. Apply statistical analysis techniques to the analysis and interpretations of scientific investigations.
(limit characters)
22. Compute, analyze, and quality-assure hydrologic data.
(limit characters)
23. Utilize professional knowledge of principles, theories, and techniques of geographic science to address complex interdisciplinary problems. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
24. Verify accuracy of geographical, geological, and/or geochemical data.
(limit characters)
25. Collect samples and keep accurate locality and field notes.
(limit characters)
26. Collect physical and chemical data in streams.
(limit characters)
27. Measure biological and physical habitat characteristics of streams. (limit characters)
28. Utilize general knowledge of geologic concepts and works to gather information for projects that evidences the understanding of geologic concepts and principles.
(limit characters)
29. Utilize experience in conducting research and analyzing geophysical data. (GS-09 Only)
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
30. I certify, to the best of my knowledge that all the information in my application is true, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education. I understand that providing false or fraudulent information may be grounds for not hiring me or for firing me after I begin work. I also certify that I have read the entire vacancy announcement; that I have reviewed my answers to the eligibility questions for accuracy; and that I understand what supporting documentation, if any, is required for submission and when it's due.
(limit characters)