An official website of the United States government
This announcement may be used to fill more than one position at within the Ely District Office.
BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.
This position is located in Caliente, Nevada. Information about the surrounding area can be found at the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce
04/11/2020 to 04/24/2020
$43,251 - $83,210 per year
GS 07 - 11
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Travel may be required for field visits, conferences, meetings, and training.
No
Permanent - This is a permanent position.
Full-time - Full Time
Competitive
11
No
No
NV Merit-2020-0155
565337400
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Current or former employees of a base management agency.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Current/former federal employees with competitive/reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area; Veteran Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA); Veterans more than 30% disabled eligible; Persons eligible under Special Hiring Authorities, Schedule A and/or individuals w/disabilities; Public Land Corp eligibles; and Current/former time-limited employees eligible under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).
Duties described at the full performance level GS-11: This position serves as a Geologist and is responsible for performing work that involves the knowledge and application of the principles of geology. The incumbent plans, initiates, directs and exercises supervision over mining industry, sales, permits and leases to assure the orderly development and conservation of mineral materials, locatable and leasable minerals on public lands, and all the minerals on acquired lands, assuring maximum recovery of mineral deposits through the review of industry operating plans for exploration, development, and extraction of minerals.
Physical Demands: The work includes both office and field conditions. Office work involves long periods of intense concentration on technical details. Most field work requires a certain amount of physical stamina and is often under a variety of arduous conditions, including travel by vehicle, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), or foot over rugged, slippery, and/or hazardous terrain, exposure to adverse temperature and weather conditions, as well as physiographic extremes. The individual may be required to perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such equipment and samples.
Work Environment: When in the office, the position is physically located in close proximity to a number of other professional employees, and must tolerate and average amount of conversation, telephone and other similar office distractions and background noise. Office quarters are located in a modern office building and tend to be “open space” arrangements.
Field conditions include the full range of topographic conditions, ranging from rolling plains to a steep mountainous terrain. Incumbent will, on occasion, be required to enter surface and underground mines and tolerate high/low temperatures, dust and high levels of noise and vibration. Safety clothing such as self contained breathing apparatus; safety boots, goggles, etc. are required to be worn. During winter months temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit can be expected, while during the summer temperatures in excess of +100 degrees Fahrenheit are not uncommon. The incumbent may subjected to hostile wildlife, chemical and physical hazards. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.
When completing work assignments in the office or field, or operating a motorized vehicle, incumbent must be alert to safety hazards to ensure work is accomplished in the most efficient and safe manner.
If selected for this position you will need to complete the Federal Information Systems Security Awareness (FISSA) training prior to start date (if applicable).
If selected for this position, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450 within 30 days of reporting to duty. You will be required to provide this information annually.
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the Basic Requirement and the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.
Basic Requirement: A degree in Geology, which includes or is supplemented by 20 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 that you have a combination of education and experience with course work equivalent to that above plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Specialized experience for GS-07: Meet the basic education requirement AND have One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 in geology-related work. Specialized experience is further defined as: provide expertise in processing applications to conduct oil & gas drilling; assist in the review of mineral exploration proposals; prepare environmental assessments for minerals activities; advise the public on law, regulations & procedures that pertain to mining claims, material sales & mineral leasing, OR meet the basic requirement AND completed 1 year of graduate education leading to a master`s degree in geology or a directly related field OR meet the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) OR meet the basic requirement AND possess an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above.
Specialized experience for GS-09: Meet the basic education requirement AND have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 in geology-related work. Specialized experience is further defined as: review & provide geologic expertise in evaluating applications to conduct drilling, resource leasing, and exploration; recommend surface protection stipulations to reduce adverse impacts of surface disturbing activities; reviews mining, prospecting and drilling plans for adequacy; OR Meet the basic requirement AND have successfully completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master`s degree or master`s or equivalent graduate degree in the field of geology or directly related fields of study; OR meet the basic requirement AND possess an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above.
Specialized experience for GS-11: Meet the basic education requirement AND have one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to GS-09 in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: experience 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; OR Meet the basic requirement AND have successfully completed three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the field of geology or directly related fields of study; OR meet the basic requirement AND have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
This position falls under the Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions and Geologist, Series 1350, Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR).
This position has a positive education requirement. See qualification section for description of the Basic Education Requirement (BER). Additionally you must submit copies of transcripts or a list of all college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university time of application. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution, See Foreign Education
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they receive a minimum score of 90 based on the rating criteria used for this position.
Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a Reemployment Priority List, you may be given priority consideration.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.
May require completion of a 1-year probationary period.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If qualified, your score may range from 70-100 points. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.
GS-7:
KSA 1: Knowledge of basic geology, principles, theories, practices and science of geology and minerals management sufficient to accomplish day- to-day work assignments working with a diverse group of people.
KSA 2: Knowledge of general mineral methodologies related to conducting inventories and mineral evaluations and preparing technical reports.
KSA 3: Knowledge of oil and gas applications for permits to drill, mineral material sales, free use permits and sampling/testing permits, mining claims, occupancy uses, mining plan of operation, and notices of mining plan of operation.
KSA 4: Knowledge of the 1872 Mining Law, the 1920 Mineral Leasing Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and other specific laws along with implementing regulations.
KSA 5: Ability to research, collect, verify, interpret, and analyze a variety of complex directions, regulations and information and communicate results to customers.
GS-9 & GS-11:
KSA 1: Knowledge of the principles, theories, practices and science of geology and minerals management to accomplish work assignments.
KSA 2: Knowledge of federal mining law, rules and policies regarding mining law administration; mineral patents; surface management; surface use and occupancy; and valid and existing rights determinations.
KSA 3: Knowledge of Environmental Assessment (EA) procedures and ability to develop EAs in the minerals management program.
KSA 4: Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to prepare professional mineral reports and other associated technical reports and documents.
KSA 5: Knowledge of programs relating to minerals program to provide multiple-use coordination necessary to complete work in other related processes such environmental assessments, land use planning and preparation of resource protection.
Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume must list your education and work experience including the dates (mm/yyyy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week and salary information. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). You are welcome to submit a cover letter (optional). If you wish to do so, include it with your resume.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms:
Positive Education Requirement: Copy of unofficial Transcripts or a list of all college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. All selections and tentative offers of selection are contingent upon submission and verification of 'official' transcripts.
Current and former federal career and career-conditional employees: submit a copy of your recent (non award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2) and Competitive Status (block 34, code 1). This office may use SF-50s to determine the applicant meets Time in Grade (TIG) or highest previous grade held requirements. Please submit multiple SF50s (if applicable) to verify you have satisfied all job announcement requirements.
Veterans Special Appointing Authorities: To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three or more years of active service. A VEOA eligible who is separated 30 days or less prior to completion of the three-year active duty service requirement is eligible to receive consideration for BLM vacancies Submit documentation to support your claim for VEOA or preference veteran (DD-214 that shows discharge as honorable or general, SF-15, Veterans Administration Letter). If you are currently on active duty, you must provide an official statement of service from your command, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proved your military service was performed under honorable conditions. You must clearly identify your claim for veterans' preference on your application. For more information on veterans' preference, please go to OPMs website at: Feds Hire Vets.
Applicants eligible under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) must submit documentation verifying (a) initial selection under competitive examining procedures to a land management agency under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service , (b) service under this initial appointment, or in conjunction with subsequent competitive service time-limited appointments, to a land management agency was for a period of 24 months without a break in service of two or more years, and (c) performance was evaluated as being at an acceptable level for the entire applicable period(s). “Required documentation” includes first and last SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) for each appointment verifying the Position Occupied code (Block 34) is 1-Competitive Service. Applicants are encouraged to combine all required documents into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping documents into files will simplify the application process. Failure to submit required documentation will result in loss of consideration.
Former PLC Member: Submit a copy of your “Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring” along with a copy of your “PLC Participant Verification Work Hours Sheet.”
If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under other noncompetitive special appointing authorities, you MUST submit proof of this eligibility.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile.
Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume.
Uploading Documents: instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Do not use both options.
Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items: 1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; 2. Your resume; and 3. Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Click on the button "Apply Online" and login to MY USAJOBS.
If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, the system will require you to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS.
If you have already registered with USAJOBS and forgot your login information, select the "Did you forget your username and/or password" link from the right side menu.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the HR Office at (775) 861-6424 or email us at cahudson@blm.gov. If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
You will be notified of the status of your application as the qualification review process is conducted.
You may also check the status of your application by viewing your MY USAJOBs account.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/565337400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.