PDF versionJob Summary
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? Salary: GS-9: $59,534 (STEP 1) - $77,396 (STEP 10) GS-11:$72,030 (STEP 1) - $93,638 (STEP 10) GS-12:$86,335 (STEP 1) - $112,240 (STEP 10) Open to allU.S. citizens under: RES-2020-0177
Major Duties
As a PHYSICAL SCIENTIST within the EASTERN ENERGY RESOURCES SCIENCE CENTER, some of your specific duties will include:
- Performs analyses and tests that include physical and chemical measurements, sample preparation, laboratory procedures, and instrument calibration and analyses.
- Utilizes specialized techniques to obtain quantitative results from a variety of laboratory instruments including infrared, Raman, and fluorescence spectrometers and optical, electron, and atomic force microscopy instruments used to characterize the organic and inorganic constituents in energy fuels.
- Applies professional knowledge of and laboratory experience in analytical techniques applied to energy fuel organic and inorganic geochemistry to the preparation, collection, analysis, and interpretation of geological
samples; and uses analytical instruments and specific techniques used in organic and inorganic chemistry including Raman and infrared and fluorescence microscopy, optical and electron microscopy, and associated hardware and software systems.
- Participates in field studies for the collection of coal and petroleum-associated rocks in outcrop, mines, and from drill rigs.
- Interprets and evaluates geochemical results in the context of their implications for research questions pertaining to energy fuels.
- Produces work that results in professional USGS contributions, such as presentations at scientific meetings and manuscripts within peer-reviewed scientific journals, as a first author, which advance knowledge of energy
materials investigated by the USGS Geochemistry of Energy Fuels Project and its successors.
- Incumbent provides critical reviews of interpretive reports written by colleagues within and outside the USGS and for national and international peer-reviewed journals.
- Operates a motor vehicle as an incidental driver.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The work requires some physical exertion and may require prolonged standing in the laboratory environment. Field assignments involve outdoor work where there is considerable walking and climbing over rough or mountainous terrain. The work may require physical exertion such as lifting heavy objects over 50 lbs, crawling in restrictive spaces and defending oneself against physical attack.
WORK ENVIRONMENT - Work is performed primarily in a field, laboratory or office setting and area is adequately lighted.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 precautions are required including use of laboratory coats, safety glasses, dust masks, gloves, etc. Work in the field involves 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.BASICEDUCATIONREQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist, all grade levels. 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
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. 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. 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. 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 planning and executing complex physical science studies, which usually involved intensive investigations into recognized phenomena. This work typically involved conventional methods and techniques though it required going beyond clear precedents, and required adapting methods to the problems at hand and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, physical scientists have the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$59,534.00 - $112,240.00