PDF versionJob Summary
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? Salary: GS-07 - $42,053 (Step 01) to $54,670 (Step 10); GS-09 - $51,440 (Step 01) to $66,868 (Step 10); GS-11 - $62,236 (Step 01) to $80,912 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01.
Major Duties
As a Physical Scientist within the Central Midwest Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:
- Work as the lead project chief or assist the lead project chief on the design and execution of water-quality projects.
- Manage, collect, visualize, and analyze hydrologic data. Prepares material for publication, including maps, tables and other illustrative material.
- Performs a wide variety of surface water measurements using appropriate techniques, equipment and protocols. Assures accuracy, uniformity, and compliance with technical standards.
- Water Quality: Performs field measurements such as water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity. Collects, processes, and prepares for lab analysis, a wide variety of samples using the most appropriate technique and protocol depending upon field conditions.
- Work with staff on data retrieval and interpretation. QA/QC and routine analysis.
- Operate government vehicle as an incidental driver.
Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertions and may requires prolonged standing in the laboratory environment. Field assignments involve outdoor work there is considerable walking and climbing over rough or mountainous terrain. Some work requires physical exertion such as lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds and crawling in restrictive spaces.
Work Environment: Work performed in the laboratory may involve use of equipment which can result in exposure to dust, toxic chemicals, mechanical and electrical hazards, and noise. Special safety pre-cautions are required including use of laboratory coats, safety glasses, dust mask, gloves, etc. Work in the field may involve exposure to extreme outdoor weather conditions with exposure to poisonous growth and insects involving a high risk with exposure to dangerous situations.
Qualifications
For information on basic qualifications, which includes information on whether you may substitute education for specialized experience, please click on the following: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/physical-scientist-gs-1301.Inaddition to the basic education requirements, you must have 1-year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Examples include:
BASICEDUCATIONREQUIREMENT: 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.
For GS-07:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level:
**One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in physical science or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
**OR Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study.(CLICKHEREFOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT).
**OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-5 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 GS-5 level experience could include taking measurements and collecting information; learning to take proper samples; conducting routine calculating, plotting, and checking of numerical data; preparing graphs and data profiles; and accomplishing routine analyses. This work experience would have involved receiving clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.
**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above.
For GS-09:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:
**Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in physical science or other directly related field of study or master's or equivalent graduate degree in physical science or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
**OR 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-7 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 performing a variety of observations, computations, compilations and analyses in assisting higher-level scientists in carrying out physical science assignments. This work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; and independently completing recurring assignments, but referring deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations to a designated person for decision or help. **OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.
For GS-11:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:
**Three years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours, 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in physical science or other directly related field of study or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in physical science or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
**OR 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-9 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 independent responsibility for a well-defined study or for a phase of a larger study that required the planning and carrying out of routine physical science work. This work would have required the individual to select and make minor adaptations to procedures and accepted practices and handle unexpected conditions arising in the normal course of the work. At this level, physical scientists have the ability to independently perform moderately difficult and responsible scientific work.
**OR 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
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$42,053.00 - $80,912.00