What are the responsibilities and job description for the Physical Science Technician (Field Assistant) position at U.S. Department of the Interior?
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Duties
Duration of Appointment: This is a temporary excepted service position not-to-exceed 1 year but may be extended without further competition. Employment may not exceed 1,039 hours in a service year. All qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to this position, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.
As a Physical Science Technician (Field Assistant) within the Southwest Region, some of your specific duties will include:
Northern California Seismic Network (Moffett Field, CA)
Seismic networks experience. Support and learn about operations in the seismic network team. The specifics of the summer experience depend on project needs and student interest, but possible tasks include: in-office instrumentation preparation, field work, or data management. Work with USGS field technicians to travel to locations around northern California and maintain seismic stations, including construction, installation/calibration, or upgrading of existing stations to better mitigate against wildfire threats. In office instrumentation work would involve prepping and testing equipment, learning how to operate the seismic hardware and peripheral equipment and associated software. Data management could include inputting or managing databases of seismic network information, monitoring earthquakes in real time, or trouble shooting real-time streaming systems.
Earthquake Geology (Moffett Field, CA)
Earthquake Geology in the Field and Office. A broad experience in many aspects of earthquake geology, remote sensing, and geologic mapping, assisting with both field work and data analysis related to earthquake geology. Field work typically involves hiking, moving equipment, and digging, with long days outdoors in beautiful places. You'll work on geological mapping, geochronology sampling, lidar and GPS data collection or paleoseismology. Office work may include GIS analysis, photogrammetry, or lidar data processing, depending on interest. No specific software knowledge is needed, but you must be able to work carefully, learn new software efficiently, and problem solve.
Southern California Seismic Network (Pasadena, CA)
Seismic networks experience. Support and learn about operations in the seismic network team. The specifics of the summer experience depend on project needs and student interest, but possible tasks include: in-office instrumentation preparation, field work, or data management. Work with USGS field technicians to travel to locations around southern California and maintain seismic stations, including construction, installation/calibration, or upgrading of existing stations to better mitigate against wildfire threats. In office instrumentation work would involve prepping and testing equipment, learning how to operate the seismic hardware and peripheral equipment and associated software. Data management could include inputting or managing databases of seismic network information, monitoring earthquakes in real time, or trouble shooting real-time streaming systems.
All locations may operate a government motor vehicle or boat as an incidental driver.
Physical Demands: Work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment up to 100 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse conditions.
Work Environment: The work is performed in a laboratory or field environment. Field work involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers. Special safety precautions are required in many cases, and the employee may typically wear life jackets, special safety boots, waders, and special handling gear. If selected, you will be required to complete a pre-employment physical.
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Key Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at the GG-03 level:
Possess 3 months of field party experience.
OR Possess 1 year sub-professional experience.
OR Possess 6 months college study (equivalent 90 semester hours/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience
Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at the GG-04 level:
Possess 6 months of field party experience.
OR Possess 2 years sub-professional experience.
OR Possess 1 year college study (equivalent 90 semester hours/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience
Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at the GG-05 level:
Possess 9 months of field party experience.
OR Possess 3 years sub-professional experience.
OR Possess 3 years college study (equivalent 90 semester hours/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience
Definitions Of Experience
Field Survey Party - Experience with a field survey party includes activity associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic, biologic, or topographic field observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field measurements and observations designed to collect data for physical/ biological science investigations. Only time actually spent in the field can be credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option.
Sub-professional Experience - Sub-professional experience is defined as technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related disciplines which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific instruments to measure angles, degrees, weights, strengths, intensities, etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative data. Experience may include assisting professional employees with such duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments mixing solutions, making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and compiling and processing scientific data. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques.
Professional Experience - Professional work experience in the physical and biological sciences may be credited in lieu of or in conjunction with sub-professional experience as defined above.
Please note that if qualifying based on education; unofficial transcripts MUST be submitted as part of the application in order to receive consideration.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
Other Information
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Duties
Duration of Appointment: This is a temporary excepted service position not-to-exceed 1 year but may be extended without further competition. Employment may not exceed 1,039 hours in a service year. All qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to this position, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.
As a Physical Science Technician (Field Assistant) within the Southwest Region, some of your specific duties will include:
Northern California Seismic Network (Moffett Field, CA)
Seismic networks experience. Support and learn about operations in the seismic network team. The specifics of the summer experience depend on project needs and student interest, but possible tasks include: in-office instrumentation preparation, field work, or data management. Work with USGS field technicians to travel to locations around northern California and maintain seismic stations, including construction, installation/calibration, or upgrading of existing stations to better mitigate against wildfire threats. In office instrumentation work would involve prepping and testing equipment, learning how to operate the seismic hardware and peripheral equipment and associated software. Data management could include inputting or managing databases of seismic network information, monitoring earthquakes in real time, or trouble shooting real-time streaming systems.
Earthquake Geology (Moffett Field, CA)
Earthquake Geology in the Field and Office. A broad experience in many aspects of earthquake geology, remote sensing, and geologic mapping, assisting with both field work and data analysis related to earthquake geology. Field work typically involves hiking, moving equipment, and digging, with long days outdoors in beautiful places. You'll work on geological mapping, geochronology sampling, lidar and GPS data collection or paleoseismology. Office work may include GIS analysis, photogrammetry, or lidar data processing, depending on interest. No specific software knowledge is needed, but you must be able to work carefully, learn new software efficiently, and problem solve.
Southern California Seismic Network (Pasadena, CA)
Seismic networks experience. Support and learn about operations in the seismic network team. The specifics of the summer experience depend on project needs and student interest, but possible tasks include: in-office instrumentation preparation, field work, or data management. Work with USGS field technicians to travel to locations around southern California and maintain seismic stations, including construction, installation/calibration, or upgrading of existing stations to better mitigate against wildfire threats. In office instrumentation work would involve prepping and testing equipment, learning how to operate the seismic hardware and peripheral equipment and associated software. Data management could include inputting or managing databases of seismic network information, monitoring earthquakes in real time, or trouble shooting real-time streaming systems.
All locations may operate a government motor vehicle or boat as an incidental driver.
Physical Demands: Work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment up to 100 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse conditions.
Work Environment: The work is performed in a laboratory or field environment. Field work involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers. Special safety precautions are required in many cases, and the employee may typically wear life jackets, special safety boots, waders, and special handling gear. If selected, you will be required to complete a pre-employment physical.
Help Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Key Requirements
- Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
- Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
- Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
- Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
- Housing will not be provided.
- More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
- Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
- A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
- Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possession of a valid State driver's license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State License and a copy of your driving record.
- Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
- Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at the GG-03 level:
Possess 3 months of field party experience.
OR Possess 1 year sub-professional experience.
OR Possess 6 months college study (equivalent 90 semester hours/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience
Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at the GG-04 level:
Possess 6 months of field party experience.
OR Possess 2 years sub-professional experience.
OR Possess 1 year college study (equivalent 90 semester hours/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience
Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at the GG-05 level:
Possess 9 months of field party experience.
OR Possess 3 years sub-professional experience.
OR Possess 3 years college study (equivalent 90 semester hours/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience
Definitions Of Experience
Field Survey Party - Experience with a field survey party includes activity associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic, biologic, or topographic field observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field measurements and observations designed to collect data for physical/ biological science investigations. Only time actually spent in the field can be credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option.
Sub-professional Experience - Sub-professional experience is defined as technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related disciplines which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific instruments to measure angles, degrees, weights, strengths, intensities, etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative data. Experience may include assisting professional employees with such duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments mixing solutions, making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and compiling and processing scientific data. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques.
Professional Experience - Professional work experience in the physical and biological sciences may be credited in lieu of or in conjunction with sub-professional experience as defined above.
Please note that if qualifying based on education; unofficial transcripts MUST be submitted as part of the application in order to receive consideration.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
- 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
- Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .
Other Information
- Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
- Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
- USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
- The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
- DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
- Temporary appointees expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. Individuals eligible under this rule receive the full government contribution to their premiums regardless of work schedule and will also be eligible to participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts and Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. Temporary appointees are not covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System and are ineligible for Federal life, dental, or vision insurance.
- Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
- Basis of Rating: All applicants who meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements will be referred to the selecting official in veterans' preference order.
- NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.
