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Social Science Opportunities with the USGS Water Resources Mission Area 

 

Do you have experience with qualitative research, social science, or human geography? The USGS Water Resources Mission Area is forging new ground with understanding the human dimension of water resources and hazard science in our research. We are hiring Social Scientists to contribute to this work.

Apply online at USAjobs.gov, where the positions will be open to applicants starting on Monday December 18, 2023 to Friday December 22, 2023.

USAjobs announcement number and link:

 

About the opportunity

As a USGS Social Scientist within the Integrated Information Dissemination Division, you would lead or support multidisciplinary teams investigating human dimensions of a wide variety of water resources issues such as extreme events, water availability, and climate change. You would support projects by collecting detailed social science data that inform water availability modeling efforts, help to build understanding of water resources decisions, and build transferrable criteria that may be applicable to new geographies.

You would be involved with stakeholder engagement initiatives to determine user needs and develop products that address water-resources management needs. In addition, you would consult with natural and physical scientists interested in incorporating human dimensions into their risk-related research as to how to improve their approaches, as well as their data collection instruments and methods. 

Location negotiable.

 

Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and transparency 

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and have the support they need to thrive. We believe that a diverse team brings a wide range of perspectives, experiences and ideas that drive innovation and improve our ability to deliver cutting edge science. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, to apply for this position when it opens. 

Contact Jennifer Rapp with questions or to express interest. 

Contacts

Jennifer L. Rapp

Chief, Decision Support Branch
Water Resources Mission Area
 
 

Positions 

GS 12 Social Scientist

 

Open & closing dates:  12/18/2023 to 12/22/2023

Salary: $71,099 – $92,429 per year

Pay scale & grade: GS 12

Location: 1 vacancy in the following location: Location Negotiable After Selection

Remote job: No

Telework eligible: Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required: 25% or less – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Appointment type: Permanent 

Work schedule: Full-time

Position Description

 

  • Announcement number

    USGS-SAC-24-12180936-DE-DLP

  • Control number

    765360800

 

Duties

As a Social Scientist within the Integrated Information Dissemination Division, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Designs and leads projects for collecting detailed social science data that inform water availability modeling efforts, help to build understanding of water resources decisions, and build transferrable criteria that may be applicable to new geographies.
  • Leads and coordinates stakeholder engagement initiatives to determine user needs, develop product lines, as well as serves internal stakeholders and scientists in development of products that address water-resources management needs.
  • Leads and supports multidisciplinary teams investigating human dimensions of a wide variety of water resources issues such as extreme events, water availability, and climate change.
  • Integrates data or methods from the natural and social sciences to answer research questions.
  • Develop training modules related to qualitative social science research that helps natural and physical scientists.
  • Consults with natural and physical scientists interested in incorporating human dimensions into their risk-related research as to how to improve their approaches, as well as their data collection instruments and methods.

 

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  3. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
  4. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

  • 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.
  • 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.

 

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A, B, or C below to satisfy the basic requirement for Social Scientist, all grade levels.
A: Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
B: Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
C: Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

FOR GS-12:
In addition to the basic education requirements as stated above, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equal to the GS-11 level.
Examples of this experience may include but are not limited to: Lead the collecting and analyzing of social and economic data; Investigating human dimensions of water resources issues such as extreme events, water availability and climate change; lead or assist with the development of training, education, and risk assessment or structured decision-making activities pertinent to the mission area.

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 .

 

 

GS 11 Social Scientist, Pathways Recent Graduate

 

Open & closing dates:  12/18/2023 to 12/22/2023

Salary: $69,107 – $89,835 per year

Pay scale & grade:GS 11

Location: Few vacancies in the following location: Location Negotiable After Selection,

Remote job: No

Telework eligible: Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required: 25% or less – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Appointment type: Recent Graduates 

Work schedule: Full-time 

 

Announcement number

USGS-PATH-24-12061218-RG-MW

Control number

765349300

 

 

Duties

As a Social Scientist within the Integrated Information Dissemination Division, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Designs and leads projects for collecting detailed social science data that inform water availability modeling efforts, help to build understanding of water resources decisions, and build transferrable criteria that may be applicable to new geographies.
  • Leads and coordinates stakeholder engagement initiatives to determine user needs, develop product lines, as well as serves internal stakeholders and scientists in development of products that address water-resources management needs.
  • Leads and supports multidisciplinary teams investigating human dimensions of a wide variety of water resources issues such as extreme events, water availability, and climate change.
  • Integrates data or methods from the natural and social sciences to answer research questions.
  • Develops training modules related to qualitative social science research that helps natural and physical scientists.
  • Consults with natural and physical scientists interested in incorporating human dimensions into their risk-related research as to how to improve their approaches, as well as their data collection instruments and methods.

 

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  3. The duration of the Recent Graduates appointment is a trial period.
  4. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

  • There is currently only one vacancy to be filled; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
  • 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.
  • The Recent Graduate Program lasts for 1 year. Participants who successfully complete the Recent Graduate Program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1-4 years in duration) appointment without further competition.
  • 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.
  • 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.

 

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution such as an accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum. Note: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that’s part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.
  • Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty; however, eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree or certificate was obtained. The date of release or discharge from active duty should be later than the date the degree or certificate was obtained.

Qualification Requirements

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A, B, or C below to satisfy the basic requirement for Social Scientist, all grade levels.
A: Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
B: Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
C: Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

FOR GS-11: In addition to the basic education requirements as stated above, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equal to the next lower grade level. Examples of this experience may include, but are not limited to:

Examples of GS-11 level work may include: collecting and analyzing social and economic data; Investigating human dimensions of water resources issues such as extreme events, water availability and climate change; Assist with the development of training, education, and risk assessment or structured decision making activities pertinent to the mission area.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

 

Education

Education Requirements:

  • 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 .

 

 
 
 
 

 

How To Apply 

–Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.

–Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement: 1)Click the blue “Apply Online” button. 2)If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile. 3)As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. 4)Check the “Certification” box and click the “Apply for this position now!” button located at the bottom of the screen. 5)Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy. 6)Submit required documents