Geographer/Cartographer Job in Boise, ID

Vacancy No. OS-6053-24-ETA-173(DEU) Department Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Salary $49,025.00 to $94,317.00 Grade 7 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/9/2024 Close Date 10/23/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Boise, ID


Summary

The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.

Duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of Wildland Fire (OWF), a subordinate organization under the Office of the Assistant Secretary - Policy Management and Budget, in Boise ID.

At the full performance level (GS-11) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Serves as the subject matter expert on matters related to the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and other spatial analysis tools to assess the impacts of OWF and interagency activities on wildland fire, fuels, and post fire rehabilitation management and reporting. Responsible for developing complete GIS projects or project phases involving the compilation, preparation, analysis, and management of geospatial data in support of the Wildland Fire program.
  2. Develops complex natural and cultural resource analyses using GIS and statistical analysis software.
  3. Responsible for defining the problem, making hypotheses, planning the investigative methods, initiating and carrying out the investigation and analysis, getting vital information in order, and interpreting the findings.
  4. Provides technical expertise in the use of current ArcGIS software, project scoping and design, limitations of the technology, and new developments that could assist specific studies or projects.
  5. Develops and maintains digital data sets for data of interest to OWF and interagency partners. This includes working with OWF and interagency wildland fire staff to identify data sources and formats, performing quality assurance/quality control of the data, and working with appropriate information technology staff to ensure data is stored and accessed according to existing standards and requirements.
  6. Creates associations between data layers with relational and spatial joins, and determines and applies proper symbology and cartographic display methods to map products created in ArcGIS Pro.
  7. Communicates results of GIS analyses through written, cartographic, and oral presentations for internal reference and potential publication in environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, and other wildland fire related reports and documents.
  8. Serves on Technical Proposal Evaluation Committees to further evaluate proposals submitted to OWF for funding. Validates and/or provides input on contractor work relative to contractual requirements.
  9. Maintains relationships with technical and professional individuals in Government, academic institutions, and other public and private entities. Maintains an awareness of other programs for areas affected or expected to be affected by OWF related management.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be expected for site visits, meetings, training, and conferences.

Work Environment: The incumbent generally works in an office environment with normal furnishings and surroundings. Occasional domestic travel is required to other locations including DOI offices in Washington D.C., regional and district offices, and to field stations of the various DOI bureaus, US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and interagency partners. Overnight travel for work can occur for training, meetings, conferences, and site visits. Occasional travel on rough, dusty, unpaved roads may be necessary during field office visits.

Salary Range Information:
GS-07: $ 49,025 (Step 1) - $ 63,733 (Step 10) per annum.
GS-09: $ 59,966 (Step 1) - $ 77,955 (Step 10) per annum.
GS-11: $ 72,553 (Step 1) - $ 94,317 (Step 10) per annum.

First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.

This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

This vacancy is also announced as OS-6053-24-ETA-174(MP) for those applicants who wish to apply and be considered under Merit Promotion procedures.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
  3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
  4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
  5. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position, you must meet the (1) Basic Educational Requirements AND (2) Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

(1) Basic Educational Requirements:

Geographer (0150)
A. Degree: geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields.

-OR-

B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Cartographer (1370)
A. Degree: cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such course work includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites).

-OR-

B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the educational requirement above ALL applicants are required to meet the additional qualification requirements below for the grade with which they are applying.

(2) Specialized Experience
To qualify for this position, you must meet either (A) Specialized Experience, (B) Education, or (C) Combination of Education and Experience for the grade to which you are applying.

GS-07
To qualify for the GS-07, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
  1. Utilizing a geographic information system (GIS) and relevant data to create maps.
MUST MEET ALL

-OR-

B. Education: 1 full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement*. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

-OR-

C. Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Qualifying combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

GS-09
To qualify for the GS-09, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
  1. Utilizing a geographic information system (GIS) and relevant data to create maps.
  2. Presenting map data and associated information to supervisor or team(s) to incorporate input and feedback to improve map reporting.
MUST MEET ALL

-OR-

B. Education: Possess 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree directly related to the position (such as an LL.B. or J.D.). (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

-OR-

C. Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Possess a combination of graduate level education beyond the first year of progressive graduate study and appropriate experience that together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

GS-11
To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
  1. Utilizing a geographic information system (GIS) and relevant data to create maps.
  2. Presenting map data and associated information to supervisor or team(s) to incorporate input and feedback to improve map reporting.
  3. Managing geospatial data or implementing geospatial data standards.
MUST MEET ALL

-OR-

B. Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

-OR-

C. Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Combination of total qualifying experience and education required for the grade level that totals 100% of the requirement (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

NOTE: You are required to submit a copy of your unofficial or official transcripts with your application package in order to verify that you meet the basic educational requirements for this position. Failure to provide this information will result in your receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating.

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education: If 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 transcripts as proof of meeting the requirements.

Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the specific educational requirements as stated above. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

Additional information

Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.

The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

Important Note: All Department of the Interior (DOI) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. In addition, DOI employees, GS-15 and above, who work in the Office of the Secretary; along with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) employees (at ALL grade levels), are further restricted concerning their interests in Federal lands and resources administered or controlled by the Department of the Interior. This includes holding stock in energy corporations which lease Federal lands (e.g.: oil, gas, coal, alternative energy resources, etc.). If you have any such investments you should contact the DOI, BOEM or BSEE Ethics Office before accepting employment. DOI employees are held to the highest level of integrity. Employees must be objective and impartial in the performance of their work. All potential issues (e.g.: work-related interactions with friends, family members, or previous employers) must be disclosed at the time of application or during the interview process.

NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. You are being evaluated under the Category Rating method, which means, if you are determined to be qualified you will be placed in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are "Platinum", "Gold", and "Silver". However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the "Platinum" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Geography: Knowledge of geographical locations, their relationships and characteristics.
  • Planning and Evaluating: Determines objectives and strategies; coordinates with other parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors and evaluates the progress and outcomes of operational plans; anticipates potential threats or opportunities.
  • Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
  • Oral Communication: Expresses ideas and facts to individuals or groups effectively; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others; facilitates an open exchange of ideas.
If you are a status applicant (current career or career-conditional Federal employee or former permanent Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility in the competitive service), or are eligible under a special appointing authority and you are selected under this vacancy, you may be subject to serving a new one-year probationary period.

To preview the assessment questionnaire click: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12559810

Required Documents

Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement and OPM qualification standards for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. It is strongly recommended that you use the USAJobs Resume Builder as it was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. The Resume Builder is available at
https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account/documents/resume/build.

Your application package must include: (1) Resume showing relevant experience as written in your own words; (2) Completed online Assessment Questionnaire; (3) College transcript (if applicable) for verification of qualifying education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; (4) Certificates, license, etc. (if applicable); (5) Form DD-214 OR VA letter and Standard Form 15 (if applicable).
NOTE: Applicants claiming veterans preference (TP, CP, CPS) must submit a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy is preferred), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service (must be honorable); OR acceptable proof of verification of your preference (i.e., official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veterans total combined serviced-connected disability rating is 10% or more).

You will find additional information on the following topics: (1) e-Verify; (2) Selective Service; (3) CTAP/ICTAP; (4) Education - accreditation; (5) Foreign education; (6) Veterans preference; (7) Special appointing authority documentation; and more can be found on our web site: https://www.bsee.gov/careers/usajobs-assistance OR https://www.boem.gov/about-boem/boem-employment .

If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent Performance Rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty station. To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, you must earn a minimum score of 85 or above (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference) on the rating criteria for this position.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.

How to Apply

Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.

To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at www.usajobs.gov and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.

Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) that have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, promotion potential and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Agency contact information

HR Assistant
Address
Office of the Secretary
45600 Woodland Road
Sterling, VA 20166
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgment from USAJobs that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line assessment questionnaire, resume and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJobs account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2024, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements