Clarification from the agency

Open to current or former Federal employees w/perm comp status; OR those eligible under a special or noncomp appointing authority (e.g., disabled, Pathways Interns & Recent Grads who are elig for noncomp conversion, etc.); OR current or former employees who are serving, or previously served, on temp or term appt in a land mgmt agency; OR veterans with preference or have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after approx 3yrs or more of continuous active service.

This job is also open in another announcement to:

The public

As a Developmental Physical Scientist within the Geological Hazards Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Conducts developmental work to deliver operational products related to landslide hazard science.
• Automates reproducible landslide hazard workflows.
• Develops scientific software and adapts existing or new computing technologies to solve problems in hazards science.
• Investigates landslide hazard and risk scientific problems using principles of geology, geophysics, geomorphology. engineering geology, hydrology, remote sensing, meteorology, or climatology.
• Presents developmental products and research results orally and in published peer review scientific journals.

Conditions of employment

You may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Key Requirements:

1. Must be U.S. Citizens.
2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
3. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
• A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Qualifications

Definitions:

EXPERIENCE: One year of work experience is twelve months working full-time (at least 35-40 hours per week). Part-time experience can be pro-rated (i.e., a year at 20 hours per week is credited as 6 months of experience). If your position consisted of mixed duties, experience credit is given for the percentage of time that you spent on qualifying duties (i.e., if you held a position for 2 years, full-time, consisting of 25% personnel work and 75% budget work, and then applied for a budget position you could calculate your experience as follows: 2 yrs = 24 months. 24 months x 75% [percentage of time spent on budget duties] = 18 months of qualifying experience.)

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: A year of undergraduate education is 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours or the equivalent of college study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent was a prerequisite.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: In the absence of specific graduate program information, a year of graduate education is 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of graduate level college course work, or the number of credit hours the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full time study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist.

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. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

For GS-12:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet A, B, OR C of the following to qualify for the GS-12 level:

A. 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours,81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in geophysics or other directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in geophysics or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

**OR

B. 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.

• Experience conducting developmental work to deliver operational products related to landslide hazard science.
• Experience automating reproducible landslide hazard workflows.
• Experience developing scientific software and adapting existing or new computing technologies to solve problems in hazards science.
• Experience investigating landslide hazards and risk scientific problems using principles of geology, geophysics, geomorphology, engineering geology, hydrology, remote sensing, meteorology, or climatology.
• Experience communicating about developmental products, research results, and interpretations to developmental and research colleagues, non-scientists, and the general public using both oral and written forms of communication.

**OR

C. 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. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

-Basis of Rating: You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), and the result of the assessment required for this position.

-Narrative Responses Assessment Required: If you meet the basic qualification/eligibility requirements of this position, you will be contacted via email after the vacancy announcement closes and given 5 calendar days to submit narrative responses to questions specific to this position. The email will include the instructions and deadline in which the responses must be submitted. Subject-matter experts will use these narrative responses to further evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs)as they directly relate to the duties of this position. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. Failure to submit a narrative response when requested, will result in your disqualification from further consideration. The KSAs that are being evaluated are:

Technology Awareness - Describe your experience and role in defining and solving problems in landslide hazards with models, software, products, and communication tools by using existing computing tools and platforms or exploring new technologies. Please also describe evidence of your service to operationalize natural hazard products.

Technology Application - Please describe your experience and role in automating landslide hazard products. Discuss automated workflows and/or specific operational hazards products you have developed.

Software Development - Describe your experience and skills in scientific software development as it relates to past development projects and describe your approach to software development problem solving. Also describe how you collaborate with other geological science subject matter experts to design computing solutions to scientific problems.

Earth Science - Describe how education or other experience results in command of the principles of the physical sciences and the skills to apply this education or experience to problems in landslide hazards and risk. Describe experience applying or synthesizing principles from one or more landslide hazards science related fields.

Communication and Media - Describe your experience with software tool communication and scientific publication. Software tool communication could include technical reports, user manuals, and other documentation. Please document your level of experience in presenting developmental results and technical materials to technical and non-technical audiences; consider both oral and written forms of communication. Include any presentations at scientific or technical meetings, technical committee work, and communications to the media or general public.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

-Resume Length: Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pgs. If more than 2 pgs are submitted, only the first 2 pgs will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments.

Resume

Resumesare required and will be limited to no more than 2 single-sided pages. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. 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. You are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.), 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.

Due Weight for Performance

--Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. Due weight for performance applies to federal and non-federal work. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Current & Former Federal Employees

--If you are a current career or career-conditional Federal employee OR a former Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility, you must submit a copy of a recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, position title, occupational series, grade level and step by the closing date of this announcement, or you will not receive consideration. An award SF-50 does not indicate grade and step.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)

--If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), you must submit proof that supports your claim. This may include:

• 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.
• 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.

Additional information 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:

• copy of the agency notice;
• your most recent Performance Rating; and
• your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

If you are CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CONTINUED IN THE HOW TO APPLY SECTION:

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