Research Geologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellowship)

Summary

This is a term appointment not to exceed 13-months with possible extensions up to a total of 4 yrs without further competition. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Salary: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at Step 01. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate of 1.49% is authorized and subject to change without notice. GS-12: $101,206 (Step 01) to $131,571 (Step 10).

Duties

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Opportunity: Characterizing mineral resources, development of mineral system mappable criteria, and regional framework geology of mineral deposit in Southwest Alaska. Introduction: The Kuskokwim mountains region of southwest Alaska hosts one of the world's largest gold deposits (Donlin Creek), past producers (e.g. Nixon Fork) and numerous current exploration projects (e.g. Flat, Illinois Creek-Waterpump Creek, Donlin, etc.). These deposits are focused on critical minerals as principal commodities or contain known critical minerals as by- and co-products. Deposits are hosted in varied geologic terranes, which include predominantly the Farewell, Angayuchum, and Ruby terranes, and vary in age from potentially middle Cretaceous to the Paleocene. Deposits have a spatial, if not genetic, association with plutons of varying characteristics, which cluster from ca. 72-60 Ma. What remains uncertain is the role basement and/or regional framework geology such as the timing of deformation and faulting, play in contributing to the development of the region's mineral resources. Background: Critical mineral enrichments occur in association with a wide variety of mineral systems and tectonic environments. Recent work has shown that precursor (i.e., Paleozoic) tectonic and magmatic events and crustal structure influenced the enrichment of critical minerals as by-products in Mesozoic mineral systems in Alaska (e.g., Kreiner et al., 2019). Many different styles of mineral systems are known or suspected to occur throughout the state, resulting from the diversity of geologic terranes and tectonic environments in which they originally formed, tectonic processes during accretion, and syn- and post-accretionary processes. Much of southwestern Alaska is composed of magmatic arcs, accretionary complexes, and continental fragments. Boundaries between these features are obscured by overlap successions of Cretaceous basin stratigraphy. The heritage and deep crustal architecture of most terranes are difficult to ascertain due to incomplete exposure and a lack of systematic investigation using modern analytical techniques. Mineral systems formed throughout the geologic evolution of the region with various critical metal enrichments. Mineral systems can be divided into pre-, syn-, and post-Cretaceous origins. The pre-Cretaceous mineral systems formed as a result of tectonic processes that occurred during the formation of the continental fragments. Syn-Cretaceous mineral systems span accretionary-derived tectonic settings and pulses of magmatic arc activity. Post-Cretaceous systems formed following the accretion of the continental fragments and a result of magmatic arcs and young Cenozoic faulting. The tectonic setting and origin of many mineral occurrences in the region remains enigmatic - including the giant Donlin gold deposit which contains large resources of Sb and As in addition to Au. The information generated in this fellowship will have broad appeal to geologists interested in mapping mineral systems in covered terrane; understanding the role the interaction of magmas, crust, and fluid reservoirs may play in critical mineral enrichment; and generate a unique understanding of mapping mineral systems in one of the nation's most diverse and endowed regions. The findings will also be of great interest to the public to include various stakeholders in Alaska such as land managers and the minerals industry who rely on the USGS for informed, data-driven mineral resources research and assessments. The USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI), a high-profile, national mapping, data collection, synthesis and interpretation program, is focused on the Nation's need for critical mineral independence and security. This initiative has multiple new geophysical surveys in Alaska in three priority areas-the Yukon-Tanana upland, the Kuskokwim Mountains region, the Seward Peninsula, and new geologic mapping and geochemical sampling in the Yukon-Tanana upland. Additional geochemical, and geologic mapping in these regions is ongoing. The successful candidate will coordinate and integrate with this work and develop necessary datasets for better understanding the distribution of geologic basement domains, crustal architecture, and terrane evolution. The Fellow will benefit from collaborations with research staff involved in Earth MRI in Alaska and other ASC geologists to better understand the bedrock geology of the region, as well as collaboration and mentorship from state and academic partners researching the mineral systems hosting critical mineral resources. Suitable samples can be collected from a combination of active field work and research in southwest Alaska and augmented with archived materials curated by USGS. Limited new fieldwork, conducted in conjunction with active research in the region, may target specific areas for focused work.

Requirements

Physical Demands: Field work is performed in rugged, remote terrains with severe wind and cold. Lifting and carrying heavy equipment various distances over rugged terrain is required. Transportation to field sites may include helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, or watercraft. Field work is conducted in areas with wild animals, such as black or brown bears, and firearms are typically carried for self-defense. Key Requirements: Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a trial period. Selectee subject to successfully passing a pre-employment medical exam. Selectee must provide proof of valid driver's license, safe driving record. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Are There Any Special Requirements for This Position? Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job. 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 may be required to provide proof of a valid State license and a copy of your driving record. 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 and evaluation

Basis of Rating: If you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements of this position, you will be contacted via email after the vacancy announcement closes and given 10 calendar days to submit narrative responses that address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of this position. You may be rated and ranked based on the information you provide in your resume as well as the responses you submit to the required KSAs. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for this position are: Describe your ability to independently design, conduct and publish studies involving mapping, analysis, and interpretations of faults and bedrock terranes as they relate to the geologic framework and mineral resources of large, complex regions. What is your experience in conducting analytical work and modeling to characterize the geochemistry, age, and (or) thermal history of geologic units in support of terrane analysis, relationship to mineral deposits, and regional tectonic studies? What is your experience conducting bedrock geologic mapping and producing geologic maps and associated databases in support of terrane analysis, regional tectonic studies and influences on regional metallogeny? Describe your experience establishing goals, coordinating progress with collaborators, and making decisions regarding research projects. Describe your experience writing research proposals, scientific articles for peer-reviewed journals, producing geologic maps, and presenting research findings at professional conferences. The Human Resources Office will provide the hiring official with application materials for review and consideration. Candidates will be contacted for interviews as needed. To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12999128

Education

Foreign Education: 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/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. 7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.

Required documents

Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments. This position requires specific educational course work to qualify. You are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.), which includes semester hours earned, grades received, and degree award/conferral dates, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. This proof may be faxed, document uploaded, or hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Required Documents" and/or "Contact Information"). Please ensure that all documentation is legible. You are required to submit a description of the proposed research to be conducted. The research proposal should at a minimum, contain: research objectives, links to USGS science strategy, how and where the research is to be conducted, name of Research Advisor(s), required scientific facilities, and anticipated operating expenses (for field work, access to specialized equipment, conference travel, etc.). You are strongly encouraged to consult USGS Research Advisors during the development of the above proposal. Applications are due in the servicing Human Resources Office by the closing date of this announcement. Research Advisor: Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Research Advisor early in the application process to discuss project ideas. Primary contact: Doug Kreiner, office number: 907-786-7190. Email: dkreiner@usgs.gov If you are claiming veterans' preference you must provide a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation or statement from the Armed Forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions (i.e., Honorable or General Discharge). Note: If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty, submit a copy for each period of service. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans' preference and that your character of military service is honorable. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must also submit documentation that supports your claim, e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of the Purple Heart, etc. The overall rating must be identified on your certification letter or separation orders. Documentation must be received by the closing date shown in this vacancy announcement. If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans' preference. Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide. If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent Performance Rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Required documents may be faxed, uploaded, or hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Contact Information"). If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.

Additional information

Other Information: Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in the advertised office or other U.S. Geological Survey offices in the local commuting area. Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position. USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Agency Benefits: USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies. Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.