Geologist (Coal).

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of the Regional Director, Rocky Mountain Region, Central Energy Resources Science Center, duty stationed in Lakewood, Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Take initiative to conduct relevant assessments of the availability and recoverability of coal resources and reserves on a regional scale, using peer-reviewed methodology and techniques.
• Lead efforts to determine the amount of technically recoverable coal remaining in the U.S., with an emphasis on coal resources on Federal lands; plans and prioritizes future coal assessment studies, based on potential coal utilization patterns and coal quality trends.
• Refine and improve the methods and techniques used in coal assessments, including the use of stochastic geostatistical methods.
• Develop protocols to integrate the use of coal quality parameters to further delineate coal resources in assessment studies.
• Use expertise and knowledge of coal mining methods to establish reasonable parameters to assist in defining coal resources and reserves, based on current mining techniques and technology.
• Serve as a technical expert on complex coal geology, coal resource, and coal quality research topics on a national and international scale. Areas of expertise include coal depositional systems, coal exploration and resources assessments, coal rank and classification, coal quality, coal mining methods, ground control, identification of adverse geologic mining conditions, and other areas of coal geoscience.
• Collaborate with the EUSEF co-project lead in the Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center (GEMSC), CERSC management, and the ERP Program Coordinator to formulate and modify, if needed, project research strategy and scope.
• Take the initiative to develop collaborative research opportunities with other Federal or state agencies, academia, and/or industry.
• Prepare, complete, and disseminate the results of research and assessments through presentations and publications which advance the knowledge and understanding of coal depositional processes and coal resource quantities. Information and results will be disseminated internally within the USGS and in external publications.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office setting, with occasional work in the field and/or in a laboratory. In an office setting, the incumbent may spend extended periods of time working at a computer. Field and laboratory duties may expose the incumbent to additional risks and safety hazards. These additional risks and safety hazards may require safety or hazard recognition training, as well as the use of special personal protective equipment. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered during the performance of outdoor field work. Field work may also include the operation of four-wheel drive vehicles and light trucks. The incumbent is expected to conduct all duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger themselves, fellow workers, or property.

Physical Demands

The work may include office, field, and laboratory assignments. Office assignments are generally sedentary, and the incumbent may spend extended periods of time working at a computer. Physical activities may involve lifting or moving moderately heavy items such as computers, file boxes, or rock samples. Field work may require moderate physical ability, average agility and dexterity, and some physical exertion. Field work may include walking over wet, sandy, uneven, or rocky surfaces. Field work may also include the lifting of moderately heavy objects, such as field equipment, rock samples, or core boxes, as well as physical activities such as bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching.

Requirements

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination to ensure you can perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, with or without accommodation.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Basic Educational Requirements

Option A: Education

• Successfully completed a 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.
• Note: You must submit copies of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable).

Option B: Combination of Education and Experience

• Combination of education and experience that includes course work as shown in Option A, plus appropriate experience or additional education related to this position.
• The quality of the combination of education and experience must be comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in one of the fields stated in Option A.
• 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).
• Note: You must submit copies of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable).

Specialized Experience

GS-12

• At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal Service.
• Specialized experience includes:
  • Collaborated with colleagues in applying knowledge of stratigraphy and sedimentology as they relate to coal depositional environments to interpret coal geology and correlate coal beds and associated strata.
  • Assisted, under supervision, in building, refining, and querying geologic databases to produce data and maps for coal resource assessments using specialized coal-geology modeling software.
  • Utilized geologic modeling and CAD-based software applications under supervision, gaining familiarity with their content and functions.
  • Collaborated with colleagues in applying knowledge and proficiency in coal quality to analyze and apply coal-quality parameters for coal resource assessments.
  • Co-presented or assisted in presenting assessment results and findings under direct supervision through publications, professional meetings, and/or conferences.

GS-13

• At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal Service.
• Specialized experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.