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This position is located in Vernal, Utah. Information about Vernal and the surrounding area can be found at Vernal, UT
02/11/2020 to 02/18/2020
$50,356 - $96,881 per year
GS 07 - 11
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - At times, travel for field work, meetings and/or training may be required.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
11
No
No
UT-Merit-2020-0055
559516800
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
All current or former federal employees with competitive/reinstatement eligibility; Veteran Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligibles; Persons eligible under Special Hiring Authorities (IE-Schedule A, VRA, 30% disabled Veteran, Peace Corps/VISTA, PLC, LMWFA, etc.) CTAP/ICTAP eligibles in the local commuting area are also eligible to apply.
As a Geologist in the Vernal Field Office, the incumbent will serve as a technical expert for fluid minerals exploration and leasing activities. At the lower levels, the employee will be assigned work designed to further develop and refine their knowledge and skills. Assignments will typically combine productive work with on-going training and instruction. Supervision received at the lower level will be closer with oversight and review being provided more frequently. At the full performance level, major duties will include but are not limited to:
Physical Demands: The work includes both office and field conditions. Office work involves long periods of intense concentration on technical details. Most field work requires a certain amount of physical stamina and is often under a variety of arduous conditions, including travel by vehicle, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), or over rugged, slippery, and/or hazardous terrain, exposure to adverse temperature and weather conditions, as well as physiographic extremes. The individual may be required to perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples.
Work Environment: When in the office, the position is physically located in close proximity to a number of other professional employees, and must tolerate and average amount of conversation, telephone and other similar office distractions and background noise. Office quarters are located in a modem office building and tend to be "openspace" arrangements. Field conditions include the full range of topographic conditions, ranging from rolling plains to a steep mountainous terrain. Incumbent will, on occasion, be required to enter surface and underground mines and tolerate high/low temperatures, dust and high levels of noise and vibration. Safety clothing such as self contained breathing apparatus; safety boots, goggles, etc. are required to be worn. During winter months temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit can be expected, while during the summer temperatures in excess of +100 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon. The incumbent may subjected to hostile wildlife, chemical and physical hazards. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. Time-in-Grade requirements for the GS-7 level is 52 weeks at the GS-5 level. Time-in-Grade requirements for the GS-9 level is 52 weeks at the GS-7 level. Time-in-Grade requirements for the GS-11 level is 52 weeks at the GS-9 level.
Basic Education Requirement: This position has a positive education requirement which requires that you have a degree in geology, including 20 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 Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
You will need to clearly state your undergraduate/graduate degree(s) and submit your college transcripts or a listing of your college courses that includes hours and grades.
In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education of the position. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade.
In addition to the time-in-grade and basic education requirements, to qualify at the GS-7 level you must meet one of the following:
Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the the GS-05 level in geology related work. Work assignments must be diverse, limited in complexity and selected to provide experience and training to you. Examples: provide expertise in processing applications to conduct oil and gas drilling; assist in the review of mineral exploration proposals; prepare environmental assessments for minerals activities; advise the public on law, regulations and procedures that pertain to mining claims, material sales and mineral leasing. OR 18 semester hours of graduate-level education in a directly related field OR baccalaureate Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) based on one of the following: (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society member. For more information on superior academic achievement, please click here. OR have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the 4.5 semesters may be combined with experience.
In addition to the time-in-grade and basic education requirements, to qualify at the GS-9 level you must meet one of the following:
Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 level in geology related work. At this level, geologists independently perform recurring assignments that are more difficult & complex than those performed by a recent graduate. Examples: review & provide geologic expertise in the processing of applications to conduct drilling; review mineral exploration proposals & recommend stipulations to protect resource values; provide geologic data to staff engaged in drainage & economic evaluation; OR 36 semester hours of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master`s degree in the field of geology or directly related fields of study; OR have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the 18 semesters may be combined with experience.
In addition to the time-in-grade and basic education requirements, to qualify at the GS-11 level you must meet one of the following:
Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 level in geology related work. At this level, work assignments require the geologist to determine approaches and solutions, using judgment in modifying, adapting and making compromises within standard guidelines, applying standard scientific practices to new situations and relating the work to precedents. Examples: experience gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing; OR 54 semester hours of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the field of geology or directly related fields of study; OR have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of 36 semester hours may be combined with experience.
Please see “Required Documents” of this announcement.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the specialized experience as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must be adequately reflected in your resume.
BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.
The Bureau of Land Management has determined that the duties of this position maybe suitable for telework.
Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.
If selected for this position, at the GS-09 or GS-11 level, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450) within 30 days of reporting to duty. You will be required to provide this information annually.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This is a career ladder position. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor, and is contingent upon meeting regulatory and legal requirements for promotion, satisfactory performance and the availability of higher level work. Promotion is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
If tentatively selected for this position you will be required to complete and submit an OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failure to satisfy the preliminary background check will result in cancellation of the tentative job offer. Failure to satisfy the full investigation requirements may be grounds for termination, once you are placed in the position.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they earn a minimum score of 90 on the rating criteria for this position.
Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a Reemployment Priority List, you may be given priority consideration.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
After the vacancy closes, a review of your application package will be made to ensure you meet all qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If qualified, your score may range from 70-100 points. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position:
At the GS-07 level:
KAS 1: Knowledge of basic geology, principles, theories, practices and science of geology and minerals management sufficient to accomplish day- to-day work assignments working with a diverse group of people.
KSA 2: Knowledge of general mineral methodologies related to conducting inventories and mineral evaluations and preparing technical reports.
KSA 3: Knowledge of oil and gas applications for permits to drill, mineral material sales, free use permits and sampling/testing permits, mining claims, occupancy uses, mining plan of operation, and notices of mining plan of operation.
KSA 4: Knowledge of the 1872 Mining Law, the 1920 Mineral Leasing Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and other specific laws along with implementing regulations.
KSA 5: Ability to research, collect, verify, interpret, and analyze a variety of complex directions, regulations and information and communicate results to customers.
At the GS-09 and GS-11 level:
KSA 1: Knowledge of the principles, theories, practices and science of geology and minerals management to accomplish work assignments.
KSA 2: Knowledge of federal mining law, rules and policies regarding mining law administration; mineral patents; surface management; surface use and occupancy; and valid and existing rights determinations.
KSA 3: Knowledge of Environmental Assessment (EA) procedures and ability to develop EAs in the minerals management program.
KSA 4: Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to prepare professional mineral reports and other associated technical reports and documents.
KSA 5: Knowledge of programs relating to minerals program to provide multiple-use coordination necessary to complete work in other related processes such environmental assessments, land use planning and preparation of resource protection.
On-line Questionnaire: Please make sure that your responses to the on-line questionnaire are supported in your resume.
To preview questions please click here.
Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume must list your education and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week and salary information. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). You are welcome to submit a cover letter (optional). If you wish to do so, include it with your resume.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you may be required to submit the following forms as applicable. Failure to provide the applicable required documents will result in no further consideration for this vacancy:
Current or former federal career and career-conditional employee: You must provide a copy of your last or most recent non-award SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action” to indicate your current/former Federal status. If your current SF-50 does not confer status or time-in-grade, you must submit an additional SF-50(s) that clearly demonstrates Federal status and/or that you have met the time-in-grade requirements. For additional information, click here: Time-in-Grade requirements or Reinstatement eligibility.
College Transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades. All qualifying education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can verify accreditation at U.S. Department of Education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. If you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to appointment date. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution See Foreign Education .
VEOA: To be eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) you must be a preference eligible Veteran OR a Veteran separated from the Armed Forces after 3 or more years of continuous active duty service performed under honorable conditions. A Veteran who is separated 30 days or less prior to the completion of the 3 year active duty service requirement will be eligible to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. You must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, confirming dates spent on active duty and your character of military service.
If claiming Veterans' Preference, you should indicate the level of Veterans' Preference you are claiming on your resume. If claiming 0-point Sole Survivorship Veterans’ Preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference. If claiming 5-point Veterans’ Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, confirming dates spent on active duty and your character of military service. If claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, in addition to your DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). Missing documentation may result in a change or removal of your claim for Veteran’s preference. Additional information on Veterans' Preference can be found in the VetGuide. If currently on active military duty, you must provide certification from your command that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date your application is submitted. Additional information regarding Veterans Preference or active duty military can be found here.
If applying for this position based on eligibility under a noncompetitive or special appointing authority (e.g.Schedule A, VRA, 30% disabled Veteran, Military Spouse, Peace Corps/VISTA, PLC, LMWFA, etc), you MUST submit proof of this eligibility. For more information please click here.
CTAP/ICTAP: If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile. Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume. The opportunity to do this will be provided during the application process by a pop-up message option to generate an auto-requested fax cover sheet. Uploading Documents: Instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Do not use both options. Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application. Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items:
1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; AND 2. Your resume - AND 3. Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Click on the button "Apply Online" and login to MY USAJOBS. If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, the system will require you to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS. If you have already registered with USAJOBS and forgot your login information, select the "Did you forget your username and/or password" link from the right side menu. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
After the vacancy announcement closes and a referral certificate is issued, an electronic notification will be sent to the email address you provided to notify you of your status. You may also check the status of your application by viewing your MY USAJOBs account.
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/559516800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The BLM manages more land - 245 million surface acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The BLM, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
