Geologist, GS-1350-12 (39869)

US Army Corps of Engineers; Lakewood (PA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

US Army Corps of Engineers (Institute for Water Resources) seeks a technical geologist to serve as a specialist for geologic aspects of infrastructure risk management, including levees, dams, and hydropower facilities. You will support hazard identification, analysis, design, review, construction, operation, and rehabilitation within the USACE portfolio.

The role involves developing methodologies, overseeing engineering geology for risk assessments, and collaborating with multiple centers of

Qualifications

• Requires a geology degree with broad engineering geology knowledge.
• Experience performing hazard identification, analysis, and design support for infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical expertise for development and implementation of methodologies to support hazard identification, analysis, design, and construction.
• Develops and oversees engineering geology for risk assessments and related studies.
• Serves on multi-disciplinary teams to evaluate performance of USACE infrastructure projects.
• Participates in technical review and QA teams; reviews and makes recommendations on reports and documents.
• Interprets guidance and provides technical direction to districts and A/E firms.
• Contributes to USACE publications, criteria, and guidance in area of expertise.
• Develops tools that support risk assessments for USACE infrastructure.
• Disseminates methodology across USACE through written and verbal communication.
• Collaborates with HEC, ERDC, IWR, and other USACE Centers of Expertise to identify RMC needs.

Skills

Geology

Risk assessment

Project coordination

Technical review

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geology

Job description

Locations (City, State)

Lakewood, CO; Louisville, KY; Pittsburgh, PA

Announcement Type

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type

Permanent

USACE Organization

Institute for Water Resources (IWR)

Locations (City, State)

Lakewood, CO; Louisville, KY; Pittsburgh, PA

Position Overview/Duties

INTRODUCTION: Serves as a technical specialist for all geologic aspects associated with infrastructure risk management including levees, dams, and hydropower facilities. Provides technical expertise to support hazard identification, analysis, design, technical review, construction, operation, and rehabilitation of a diverse range of projects within the USACE portfolio.

Description Of Assignment/Duties

• Provides technical expertise for the development and implementation of methodology to support the hazard identification, analysis, design, technical review, construction, operation, and rehabilitation of a diverse range of projects within the USACE portfolio.
• Responsible for the development, oversight, and review of engineering geology for risk assessments, studies, and other technical products developed under the Risk Management Center (RMC). Plans, coordinates, and directs engineering geology activities including rock mechanics, data interpretation, length effects, special variability, and uncertainty in support design of risk assessments and other studies performed by the RMC.
• Serves on diverse multi-disciplinary teams performing complex risk assessments, for the purpose of evaluating the performance of USACE infrastructure projects.
• Serves on technical review teams and quality assurance teams. Reviews and makes recommendations on the approval of various reports and decision documents.
• Interprets guidance and provides technical direction consistent with USACE policy, to USACE districts and architect-engineer (A/E) firms.
• Provides input to USACE publications, criteria, and guidance documents within area of expertise.
• Develops and maintains methods and tools that support risk assessments for USACE infrastructure.
• Disseminates methodology throughout USACE by applying both written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborates with HEC, ERDC, IWR, and other USACE Centers of Expertise to identify research and development needs for RMC related products.
• Provides guidance and oversight related to the engineering geology for the RMC.

Other Conditions and Requirements

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoW, Section 9905 to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

WHO MAY APPLY

US Citizens.

Minimum Education Requirement

Degree: 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

Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Experience: 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. Experience that involved only one phase of geology work, e.g., collecting samples, would not be acceptable as providing the required professional knowledge of the theory and principles of geology. 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. Examples include some positions in geophysics, mining engineering, soils science, physical oceanography, hydrology, climatology, biology, analytic or experimental chemistry, metallurgy, and comparable fields where the normal duties or results of investigations have been extended to the solution of geologic problems by the applicant. Ordinary functions of positions such as seismic, computer, petroleum or mining engineer, mine superintendent, or metallurgist generally are not considered professional geological experience. 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.

Minimum Experience Requirement

One year of specialized experience of the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

Other Requirements, Conditions Of Employment And Information

• Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:59 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.
• All positions require the applicant to be a citizen of the United States.Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.
• A trial or probationary period may be required.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
• This position requires that the incumbent possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• This position is eligible for situational telework.
• This position requires the following training/certifications prior to employment or within a specified period of time after appointment:
  • Professional Geologist: The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess and maintain license/registration as a Professional Geologist. This license/registration must be in good standing and issued by any one of the 50 states or its territories

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor

To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants).

Qualifications - Candidates will be evaluated in accordance with OPM General Schedule (GS) Qualification Standards or Federal Wage System (FWS) Qualifications and Job Elements

GS Standards: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, hiring process or while on the job. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.