Interdisciplinary Biologist/Physical Scientist Jobs at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) company opens jobs for Interdisciplinary Biologist/Physical Scientist positions in the KwaZulu-Natal region. The type of work we provide is Full-time.

The criteria for the employees we need are having Research, Analyst, & Information Technology skills with Entry level experience, as well as employees who are honest, disciplined and responsible.

The estimated salary offered by this company is quite competitive around R 4 800 - R 16 000 (per month). However, the salary can go up or down depending on the company that decides it.

The Headhunters company itself is engaged in Research Services, of course if you are interested in applying for this company, you can register immediately.

Job Information

Job Description

Summary
The final duty location of the selectee will be a joint decision made between the selectee and the hiring official. Locality pay will be adjusted appropriately and determined by the final duty location of the selectee. Locality pay tables can be found here .
If the agreed upon location results in the relocation of the selectee, the travel, transportation, and relocation expenses are not authorized.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees who meet the definition of a “surplus” or “displaced” employee.
• Family of overseas employees Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.
• Federal employees – Competitive service Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees – Excepted service Current excepted service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Land & base management Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
• Military spouses
• National Guard & reserves Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency
Open to current or former Federal employees w/perm comp status; OR those eligible under a special or noncomp appointing authority (e.g., disabled, Pathways Interns & Recent Grads who are elig for noncomp conversion, etc.); OR current or former employees who are serving, or previously served, on temp or term appt in a land mgmt agency; OR veterans with preference or have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after approx 3yrs or more of continuous active service.
Duties
This is an interdisciplinary position and will be filled either as a Biologist, GS-0401, or a Physical Scientist, GS-1301.
This vacancy is limited to the first 75 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
The USGS Office of Science Quality and Integrity is seeking a staff scientist with research laboratory experience in the physical or life sciences to support the development of an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and a bureau-wide animal welfare policy. The USGS has ~500 laboratories nationwide which span a multitude of scientific disciplines, including water, ecosystems, natural hazards, energy, minerals, and more. The IBC will ensure bureau-wide compliance with the National Institutes of Health ” NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules ” and will develop training, guidance, and tools to support implementation of the policies. Animal welfare is critical to ensuring the USGS is a good steward of the scientific community, and this position will help develop training, guidance, and tools to support the 64 science centers nationwide with proactive compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. This is an exciting opportunity to be on the ground-floor of organizational change and improvements that will impact USGS laboratories and a large portion of the USGS workforce. The USGS Office of Science Quality and Integrity is a dynamic office with staff across the country supporting all corners of the USGS in the broad areas of science quality and scientific integrity.
As a Staff Scientist within the Office of Science Quality and Integrity, some of your specific duties will include:

• Works across functional areas to address critical needs and must be able to manage critical timelines across multiple programs working with different functional leads. Plans and carries out the assignment; resolves most conflicts that arise; coordinates work with others as necessary, interprets policy and regulatory requirements.
• Supports programs and strategies to address and accomplish the critical needs of ensuring scientific quality and integrity. The incumbent is responsible for advancing the health of the USGS science strategy by ensuring that the quality and integrity of our science is monitored.
• Works with OSQI Program Managers to support program needs that may include database management, regular written communication to a range of USGS staff (scientists, Center Directors, HR), training support, document management, program logistics. Provides support for briefing papers, presentations, development and implementation, technical analysis of developing programs.
• Co-leads teams of subject matter experts to reach consensus toward bureau priorities. Synthesizes ideas and concepts into concise, clear, and cohesive products (e.g., slides, white papers, bullet points) for high level officials in the USGS.

Requirements Conditions of Employment
Key Requirements

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

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• 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.
• Financial Disclosure – If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure.
• 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.
• If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for the GS-0401: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist, all grade levels.

• Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

• Combination of education and experience–courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in “A” above.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for the 1301: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Physical Scientist, all grade levels.

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

• A combination of education and experience–education equivalent to one of the majors shown in “A” above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science, engineering, or mathematics) that included at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in physical science and/or related engineering science as described above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in “A” above.

For the GS-12: In addition to the basic education requirements as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or directly related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Examples of such experience may include planning and executing complex scientific studies, which usually involved intensive investigations into recognized phenomena. This work typically involves conventional methods and techniques though it requires going beyond clear precedents, and requires adapting methods to the problems at hand and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific significance. At this level, scientists have the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable difficulty.
For the GS-13: In addition to the basic education requirements as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or directly related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Examples of such experience may include planning, executing and reporting on original or ongoing scientific studies requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems. The complexity of this work typically requires extensive modification and adaptation of standard procedures, methods, and techniques, and the development of totally new methods and techniques to address novel or obscure problems for which guidelines or precedents are not substantially applicable. At this level, scientists have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility.
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://ww.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

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.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
• 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 ww.dhs.gov/E-Verify .
• The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
• THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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://ww.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 .

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Benefit

• gain experience
• taught first
• Get bonus if overtime