Job summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: Plans and conducts assigned studies and investigations for subsurface exploration programs relative to geological and hydrogeological problems including foundations, landslides, channel design, HTRW, etc.

Major duties

Select methods and procedures to be followed in conducting geological, hydrogeological and hazardous toxic and radioactive waste (HTRW) studies and projects in arriving at adequate solutions to problems encountered. Investigate prospective undeveloped quarry sites, existing commercial quarries and sand pits in vicinity of large civil projects. Plan, scope and oversee investigations for assigned projects. Select the most appropriate geological techniques for materials to be encountered. Prepare and present technical data on feasibility of proposed foundations and materials design, groundwater conditions, and stability of structures.

Qualification

NOTE: THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. REFERRAL TO BE ISSUED EVERY TWO WEEKS WITH THE NEXT CUTOFF BEING 12/31/2024 Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Geologist: A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography. OR B. Combination of Education and Experience: Course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. (Note: Acceptable experience may have been gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing. In some situations, professional scientific experience in other fields may be accepted in part as professional geological experience. Such experience must have been preceded by appropriate education in geology or by professional geological experience and must have contributed directly and significantly to the applicant's professional geological competence. To receive credit for geological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional geological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to geologic duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the geologic functions.) In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: GS-07: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1.) Utilizing instruments and equipment to select sampling locations for testing. 2.) Assist in performing limited geological studies and investigations for subsurface exploration programs relative to geological and hydrogeological problems which may include foundations, landslides, channel design, and hazardous toxic and radioactive waste (HTRW) etc in projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: geology. OR Superior Academic Achievement: In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).ORCombination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-09: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1.) Utilizing instruments and equipment to select sampling locations for testing. 2.) performing limited geological studies and investigations for subsurface exploration programs relative to geological and hydrogeological problems which may include foundations, landslides, channel design, and hazardous toxic and radioactive waste (HTRW) etc. in projects. 3) assisting in preparing appropriate portions of plans, specifications, design memoranda and various other reports for the execution of projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: geology. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-11: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1.) Utilizing instruments and equipment to select sampling locations for testing. 2.) conducting studies and investigations for subsurface exploration programs relative to geological and hydrogeological problems which may include foundations, landslides, channel design, and hazardous toxic and radioactive waste (HTRW) etc in projects 3) preparing appropriate portions of plans, specifications, design memoranda and various other reports for the execution of projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Evaluations

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.