PDF versionJob Summary
General InformationIn order to be eligible to receive consideration for this position, youmustbe able to: (1) report to the duty station location listed in this vacancy announcement, if selected; and (2) be available to work the schedule identified.Salary for GS-07: $20.72 perhour(Step 01) to $26.94 per hour(Step 10) Salary for GS-09: $25.35 perhour(Step 01) to $32.95 per hour(Step 10) NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01.
Major Duties
The USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center is seeking a graduate level student working towards a degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics to gain practical experience in physical science.
As a Student Trainee (Physical Science) you will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring development assignments to acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the area of Physical Science.
Duties include:
- Measures surface-mass balance of index glaciers and carry out surveys of glacier margins and help complete digital elevation models (DEMs) of glacier surfaces.
- Coordinates with other physical scientists a program of repeat photography to document and measure changes in mountain natural resources.
- Conducts studies of natural avalanches and provides technical avalanche expertise to Glacier National Park and other USGS partners.
- Designs and operates a climatological network in Glacier National Park that will provide critical information regarding environmental stressors.
- Operates UASs to collect data on mountain ecosystems.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
- Work will be performed in an office or field environment.
- Will be required to perform field work in remote backcountry settings.
- Will be required to ascend and descend steep mountainous terrain on skis.
- May require hiking up to 10 miles per day carrying a 50-lb pack.
- May be exposed to wild animals such as black and grizzly bears.
- Exposure to extreme weather is likely.
Qualifications
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Internship Program: You must be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a degree or certificate program on a full- or half-time basis as defined by the school (certificate program means post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum); AND
Enrollment is with a qualifying educational institution such as a high school or state-approved homeschool; or accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum; AND
Students currently enrolled must be in good academic standing maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a cumulative basis; AND
The duties of this position should be related to your academic or career goals.
You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program. Students who successfully complete the internship program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1-4 years in duration) appointment without further competition. Eligibility requirements for conversion: must be a U.S. Citizen; complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program (*may waive up to a total of 320 hours under specific conditions); successfully complete your degree or certificate requirements from a qualifying institution; meet the qualification requirements for the position to which you will be converted; meet agency-specific requirements as outlined in the Participant's Agreement; and must have performed successfully in your position as documented through performance evaluations. *NOTE: To learn more about the conditions under which a portion of the work experience hours may be waived, visithttps://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/st....
Qualification Requirements
For All Grades: To be basically qualified for this position, applicants must meet the OPM qualification standard list below and the following selective factor(s):
Applicant must possess a valid Level III or Professional Level 2Avalanche Certification. (At time of selection, selectee will need to provide proof of certification)
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.(CLICKHEREFOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
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:
A. 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
B. Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study.(CLICKHERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT). **OR
C. 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 measuring surface mass-balance of an index glacier, assisting in conducting surveys of glacier margins, and assisting in using ground-penetrating radar to map ice depth; operating, maintaining, and repairing climate stations and other instrumentation in mountain environments under closer supervision; preparing tree-ring samples for analysis, including mounting, sanding, measuring and cross dating; using boats on large lakes, traverse glaciers and ski into back country locations in mountainous terrain in winter. **OR
D.Combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above.(CLICKHEREFOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)
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:
A. 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
B.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 could include measuring surface mass-balance of an index glacier, conducting surveys of glacier margins, andusing ground-penetrating radar to map ice depth; operating, maintaining, and repairing climate stations and other instrumentation in mountain environments; preparing tree-ring samples for analysis, including mounting, sanding, measuring and cross dating; using boats on large lakes, traverse glaciers and ski into back country locations in mountainous terrain in winter. **OR
C.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.(CLICKHEREFOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)
All applicants must meet qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$20.72 - $32.95