Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from current agency employees in the competitive service only.

This position is located in the Division of Gas - Environment & Engineering in Washington, DC in the Office of Energy Projects.

As a Geologist, some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Serving as a technical expert; reviewing applications and environmental reports filed with the Commission with respect to complex geologic resource issues related to the proposed construction and operation of natural gas facilities; analyzing the affects of construction and operation on geologic resources; analyzing methods to reduce impacts or risks; and conducting field inspections.
• Providing technical team leadership, staff coordination, and guidance; and representing the Commission in meetings with applicants, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Preparing input to correspondence, orders, and environmental documents on exceptionally difficult and highly complex geologic resource matters.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must provide your SF-50 (see Required Documents section).
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• A background investigation is required.
• **This is a bargaining unit position (AFGE Local 421).
• Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
• **This position has an education requirement; you must submit transcripts.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.

Time-in-grade requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You must meet qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

To view the eligibility and qualification requirements of a Geologist, GS-1350, please visit: Geology Series, 1350.

In addition to the education required for this position, you must have one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-13 level. Specialized experience is defined as: experience analyzing geologic resource issues, assessing natural hazards, conducting complex environmental analyses, and writing NEPA documents. 

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

Please do not cut and paste  the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

How you will be evaluated

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

1. Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and any supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for the position. Your resume must address the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities, and other characteristics):

• Geology
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication

2. The online assessment is used to evaluate your relevant education and experience in relation to the required competencies for this position.
3. If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the vacancy questionnaire. Your rating may be lowered if your responses are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your resume. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the selecting official.
4. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. If you are invited for an interview, you may be asked to bring a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. Please note - only your resume and cover letter will be forwarded to the selecting official.

Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration and loss of any special hiring preference (e.g., veterans’ preference, ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Schedule A, SF-50).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:

1. RESUME(maximum of 2 pages in length): Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
   
   • Position title
   • Name of employer
   • Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
   • Hours worked per week
   • Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
   • Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
   • If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
2. VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
3. TRANSCRIPTS (only required when the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying for the position based on your education): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.
4. STANDARD FORM 50 (SF-50)/NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: You must submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50, showing you are in the competitive service, your highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series, and grade. FERC employees can access their official personnel records electronically, by using eOPF: https://eopf.opm.gov/ferc/.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT SPECIAL CONSIDERATION CLAIMS: 

1. CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP):  This is an intra-agency program that helps Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service or a FERC employee whose position has been deemed surplused or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated “Well Qualified” for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility. For more information about CTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. The following documents are required:

• Reduction in Force or RIF notice – written notice of your expected separation, or other documentation of priority consideration status;
• Latest SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location;
• Last performance appraisal, including your rating; and
• Any documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.

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