Department of the Interior

Geological Survey

Fort Collins Science Center

• Open & closing dates 11/16/2022 to 12/05/2022
• Salary: $87,491 – $135,247 per year
• Pay scale & grade: GS 12 – 13
• Location
  • Fort Collins, CO Few vacancies
• Remote job: No
• Telework eligible: Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
• Travel Required: Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel up to 2 nights a month for this position.
• Relocation expenses reimbursed: No
• Appointment type: Permanent
• Work schedule: Full-time

As a Research Social Scientist within the Fort Collins Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Measuring human dimensions of natural resource management in contexts relevant to USGS mission.
• Applying research theory, data collection methods, tools, principles and analysis techniques to conduct social science investigations applying a social-ecological systems approach to natural resource management and decision making.
• Working as a project member or as a primary investigator.
• Transferring results to resource managers, field scientists, the scientific community, and the public via published papers in the scientific literature, management-oriented technical media, presentations at meetings and workshops, consultations, publications in popular literature, and the internet. 
• The researcher will be involved in all phases of studies including assessment of research needs, proposal development, and obtaining funding.
• Operating a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties.

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.
5. Selectee must provide a valid state driver’s license & safe driving record.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• Driver’s License/Driving Record – You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license & a copy of your driving record.
• If selected you may be asked to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as those related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
• 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 EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A, B or C below to satisfy the basic requirement for Research Social Scientist.

A. Degree- Completed all requirements for a bachelor`s or higher degree in a behavioral or social science or related discipline appropriate to the position.

B. Combination of education and experience -course work equivalent to a major (24 semester hours or equivalent) in a behavioral or social science or related discipline.

C. Completed four years of appropriate experience that demonstrates that the applicants have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in those fields.

GS-12
In addition to the basic education requirement listed above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for this position.

**Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for this position is defined as experience in applying social science theory and methods in the context of natural resource management and conducting research to aid in the conservation and management of public lands and waters. This includes: assessment of research needs; proposal development; research design; and collecting data associated with the human dimensions of natural resource and public lands management and policy. Experience applying existing theory or methods to areas previously investigated, but under unique conditions, or involve adapting previous studies while accounting for changes in theory or improved techniques and methods. Experience in making contributions that add to scientific and professional knowledge or support developing new or improved methods and techniques.

**OR Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a directly related field of study.

**OR Possess a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the second year of graduate study and specialized experience, as described above.

GS-13
In addition to the basic education requirement listed above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for this position. 

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized Experience for this position is defined as experience in applying social science theory and methods in the context of natural resource management and conducting research to aid in the conservation and management of public lands and waters. This includes: assessment of research needs; proposal development; research design; and collecting data associated with the human dimensions of natural resource and public lands management and policy. Experience working in contexts that have a broad and complex scope, requiring a series of comprehensive and conceptually related phases and studies. Experience working on subject matter that is difficult to define, require sophisticated research techniques, or involve the development of new or unconventional methods or approaches.You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.