Lakewood, CO

Position Title: Physical Scientist

Organization: Department of the Interior

Location: Lakewood, CO

Position Overview: Center scientists work closely with other federal and state governmental agencies, as well as with other nations, on a variety of technical and scientific topics. The ultimate goal is to make scientific knowledge public and to contribute to the resolution of issues through accurate and impartial scientific research on earth science topics (e.g., mineral resources, environmental effects of mineral development, geological effects on ecological and human health, and geological hazards) in a manner that is useful for policy formulation and decision-making at appropriate levels of local, state, and federal government.

Duties:

• Process, integrates, and analyzes geophysical, geological, Lidar, mineral resource, geochemical, and geochronological data sets using GIS statistical methods in a three-dimensional environment. Advises other scientists in ways to use GIS data.
• Develop expert knowledge of the geology and mineral resources of the Northern Rockies, including the Snake River Plain; Idaho, Boulder, and Challis batholiths; and regional tectonic setting.
• Apply knowledge of economic geology to interpretation of geophysical and geologic data in support of resource assessment investigations.
• Author or co-author reports on results of investigations. Publishes in internal USGS series and external peer reviewed professional journals.
• Operate a government 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. Some work requires physical exertion such as lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds and crawling in restrictive spaces.

Qualifications:

GS-1301–BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist occupational series:

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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: In addition to meeting on of the Basic Education Requirements stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for these grade levels:

For GS-11:

At least 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

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

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. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

GS-12:
At least 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.

Salary/Pay: $80,665 – $125,685 per year

Application Deadline: 4/22/24

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.