Physical Scientist (Assistant Coordinator for Communication, Education, Outreach) Job

Vacancy No. USGS-SAC-24-12544508-DHA-AH Department Geological Survey
Salary $97,376.00 to $140,713.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/4/2024 Close Date 11/20/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Moffett Field, CASeattle, WA


Summary

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

The government-wide STEM direct hire authority for Physical Scientist 1301 is being used to fill this position.

SALARY INFORMATION
Moffett Field, CA: $108,245 (Step 01) to $140,713 (Step 10)
Seattle, WA: $97,376 (Step 01) to $126,585 (Step 10)
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Duties

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

  • Serves in a leadership role for the ShakeAlert Communication, Education, Outreach, and Technical Engagement (CEO&TE) community comprised of officials in federal, state, and local agencies and collaborates in developing and implementing long-term, integrated public ShakeAlert CEO&TE protocols and plans to maximize the effectiveness of ShakeAlert's capability.
  • Conveys complex scientific and technical information about earthquake hazards and the ShakeAlert system and its uses to non-technical audiences.
  • Collaborates with the CEO&TE Coordinator to execute long range strategic planning efforts related to CEO&TE scope and overall content relative to the ShakeAlert system goals and those of the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
  • Develops and implements new methods and products for dissemination of educational materials in a manner that is multidisciplinary, cost effective, and consistent with existing hazards education efforts. This includes having a direct role in developing and curating the ShakeAlert web and social media presence.
  • Plans, facilitates, and coordinates working groups, meetings, workshops, and other stakeholder interactions as directed by the CEO&TE Coordinator.
Physical Demands
The work is largely sedentary in nature, but some travel is required. Pressure peak workload periods can impose emotional stress. A valid driver's license is required.

Work Environment
Work is performed in a shared office setting and will require regular interaction with the CEO&TE Coordinator in person and/or via web conference. Travel is required for conferences, stakeholder meetings, and coordination with other USGS offices primarily on the west coast.

Important Note/Requirement for the Position
The Assistant CEO&TE Coordinator must be available for a shared 24-hour duty rotation in order to serve as the primary communications contact for the ShakeAlert system. Also, in the event of an earthquake or other event involving ShakeAlert, the candidate must be able to work extended hours over the course of many days which might involve travel.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements:

  1. Applicants 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.
  4. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
  5. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
  • This vacancy is limited to the first 50 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
  • 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.
  • Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

Qualifications

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. (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 the following to qualify for the GS-12 level:

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 such experience may include conducting or participating in independent or team-based research in social, physical, or Earth science that utilizes scientific methods to investigate human behavior or natural phenomena in a laboratory or field environment. Additional examples of experience include planning, expanding, and executing targeted community engagement campaigns and building networks within a team-based context. Experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) teaching in formal learning environments such as a K-12 school, college, university, or in a free-choice learning environment such as a museum or park visitor center is also qualifying. Experience communicating about natural hazards (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.) preparedness, mitigation, planning, response, and recovery, as well as experience with emergency management protocols, procedures, and structures may also be qualifying. This work typically involves the development of new education and training initiatives, grounded in social and physical/Earth science, that optimize collaboration and use a cross-disciplinary approach.

At this level, physical scientists have the ability to independently perform complex work in research and operational environments that requires stakeholder engagement using sound governance processes and decision-making protocols which ensure accountability and operational consistency while allowing for the free exchange of information and ideas.

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

Education

  • 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 volunteer experience.
  • Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. 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: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

Additional information

Other Information:

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in the advertised office or other U.S. Geological Survey offices in the local commuting area.
  • Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
  • Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
  • USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
  • 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.
  • DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
  • The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
  • THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Agency Benefits:

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.

--Basis of Rating: The government-wide STEM direct hire authority for Physical Scientist, 1301 is being used to fill this position. All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and minimum qualification requirements will be referred for consideration.

Required Documents

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

Resume

--Resumes are required. 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.

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 a 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.

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

--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.

Agency contact information

Michelle Liu
Address
EARTHQUAKE SCIENCE CENTER
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Mail Stop 600
Reston, VA 20192
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

--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.


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


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