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What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
Salary: $82,830 (Step 01) to $107,680 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
This is an interdisciplinary position and is being advertised concurrently with the following announcements:
Open to current or former Federal employees: USGS-RES-23-11924327-ST-KF
05/08/2023 to 05/19/2023
$82,830 - $107,680 per year
GS 12
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 2-3 nights per month for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
15
No
No
USGS-RES-23-11924326-DE-KF
723854800
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Open to all qualified U.S. citizens.
As an INTERDISCIPLINARY GEOGRAPHER/PHYSICAL SCIENTIST within the EARTH RESOURCES OBSERVATION SCIENCE CENTER, some of your specific duties will include:
- Serves as a research scientist contributing to the NASA-USGS Sustainable Land Imaging (SLI) program objectives by supporting Landsat Next
mission research and development to substantially increase our knowledge of Earth system minerals and geology, aquatics, cryosphere and hydrology,
agriculture, and/or vegetation ecology. This research position requires the incumbent to contribute specifically to the area of spectral remote sensing
research as applied to instruments onboard the Landsat Next mission by using airborne or spaceborne imaging spectroscopy data from other Earth observation missions (often referred to a 'hyperspectral' or 'HSI').
- Independently plan the research approach, organize and execute the study, and interpret and report research results with input and discussion within the bounds of overarching research scope and objectives defined by the project PI and Integrated Science and Applications Branch Chief. Consults periodically with PI on progress, future plans, and decisions that may change the nature of the work.
- Exercises sound judgement, resourcefulness, and ingenuity in developing research pathways within the bounds of overarching research priorities defined by the project PI. May be required to revise existing theories, practices, and techniques to develop, test, and justify new ones, with problems studied characterized as complex.
- Disseminates research results and other information through seminars and meetings, by publishing scientific and technical reports in the open literature, participating in professional meetings, symposia and conferences, and participating in special task forces and study groups. Responsible for disseminating the latest research in scientific literature on land surface and/or aquatic processes and imaging spectroscopy. Collaborates with subject matter experts across the terrestrial remote sensing professional community.
Key Requirements:
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Geographer, all grade levels.
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.
For GS-12
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-12 level:
Possess 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-11 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 experience may include: identifying, developing, and implementing methodologies for existing and prototype imaging spectroscopy science and application capabilities; acquiring, processing, analyzing, and interpreting hyperspectral imaging spectroscopy data from existing spaceborne, airborne, field and/or laboratory instruments for investigative use which could emulate future space-based measurement concepts; code development in cloud environments, spectral library usage and development, analysis ready data product architectures, and ability to collaborate with internal and external strategic partners; planning, executing, and publishing journal articles and publicly accessible data from complex imaging spectroscopy studies, some of which are collaborative in nature. This work typically involves conventional methods and techniques though it requires going beyond clear precedents by adapting methods to integrate research activities across multiple disciplines and interpret findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, research scientists have the ability to independently execute the research process of considerable difficulty and establish collaborations with subject matter experts across the terrestrial remote sensing professional community while conferring research plans with the supervisor or principal investigator at intermediate stages to assure that the approaches taken were effective and sound.
**OR Possess 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours or 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in geography, physical science or other directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in geography, physical science or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.
**OR Possess 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.
Other Information:
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
--Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies: SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION, TEAMWORK, WRITTEN COMMUNICATION and INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION.
--Basis of Rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified and Qualified. You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you are eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.
--Additional Assessment Required: If you meet the eligibility and basic qualification requirements for this position a subject-matter-expert will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position.
--NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.
To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11924326
Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments.
Resume
--You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form, then you must describe your job-related qualifications, including: beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience; hours worked per week; month and year of employment for each job title listed; annual salary; and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here.
Supporting documents
--Upload any supporting documents identified in the Key Requirements section or included below as it applies to your eligibility. Supporting documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments
Transcripts
--This position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Please ensure that all documentation is legible.
Veterans' Preference Eligibles
--If you are claiming veterans' preference you must provide a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation or statement from the Armed Forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions (i.e., Honorable or General Discharge). Note: If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty, submit a copy for each period of service.
--If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans' preference and that your character of military service is honorable.
--If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must also submit documentation that supports your claim, e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of the Purple Heart, etc. The overall rating must be identified on your certification letter or separation orders. Documentation must be received by the closing date shown in this vacancy announcement. If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans' preference.
Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles
--If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes:
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.
--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 rated as one of the most highly qualified candidates, you will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30-45 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified via email of the outcome. You can also go to "My Account" within USAJOBS to review your Application Status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/723854800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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