Geologist III (Alaska Volcano Observatory PCN 10-2061)

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Geologist III (Alaska Volcano Observatory PCN 10-2061)

Salary

$2,530.50 Biweekly

Location

Fairbanks, AK

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

29474

Department

Natural Resources

Division

Geological & Geophysical Surveys

Opening Date

04/09/2021

Closing Date

4/30/2021 5:00 PM Alaska

Division

Geological & Geophysical Surveys

Position Open To

Alaska Residents Only

Bargaining Unit

General Government

Range

19

Job Description

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), 
Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (GGS) is recruiting for a 
Geologist III

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) conducts monitoring and scientific investigations of Alaska’s 100+ active and potentially active volcanoes.  On average, there are 1 to 2 volcanic eruptions each year in Alaska, requiring our team of dedicated staff to work closely to ensure all aspects of the Observatory run smoothly.  The near-continuous volcanic activity along the Aleutian Arc provides unprecedented research opportunities for volcanologists interested in active volcanic processes.  As a partner agency of AVO, the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) is seeking a permanent Geologist III for our Volcanology section and the inter-agency Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) to work on a wide range of volcano research projects.


Mission & Culture:

Geologic understanding of active volcanic processes is a key component in the mission of the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) to assess the nature, timing, and likelihood of volcanic activity, allowing AVO to provide timely and accurate information on volcanic hazards to the public.


Core Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will participate in and manage projects and teams of professional geologists, conducting research and overseeing multiple geologic studies of volcanoes to document current and previous eruptive activity and use expertise in volcanology to assess the timing and nature of future eruptions.  The incumbent will use knowledge of volcanic systems to oversee and participate in AVO projects including volcano monitoring, geologic mapping, volcanology field studies, geographic information system (GIS) geodatabase development, and relational database work related to documenting the eruptive history of volcanoes in Alaska.


Team Benefits:

The incumbent will bring his or her expertise to work with a highly skilled and dedicated team of volcanologists, geophysicists, programmers, and technicians to improve AVO’s ability to provide advance warning of volcanic activity and to better understand volcanic processes.  On-the-job training for specific technical aspects of AVO’s research methods, geospatial database development, and monitoring operations will be provided.  The incumbent will work closely with USGS and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) colleagues and students, including having access to the USGS tephra lab, and the UAF advanced instrument lab.  Aviation safety, wilderness first aid, and firearms training is mandatory and will be offered for safe field operations.


Work Environment:
The Division of Geological & Geophysical Survey office is based in Fairbanks, near the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  Daily interactions with volcanology section staff and staff from other sections within the division provides for an engaging atmosphere of diverse geologic collaboration and collegiality. During the current COVID environment, in-state telework is permitted as needed with supervisor approval.  The field season may consist of one or more projects that last from a few days to several weeks in remote areas of the Aleutians, along the Alaska Peninsula and in the Cook Inlet region

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

  • Ability to work with federal, state, and university partners to identify technically sound studies that will lead to an enhanced ability to both mitigate volcanic hazards and understand volcanic processes.

  • Ability to use advanced geologic skills to conduct field traverses, measure and describe stratigraphic sections, collect tephra and rock samples, and locate observations and samples on topographic maps, aerial photographs, and satellite imagery.  Transfer data to geographic information system (GIS) software and geospatial databases.

  • Knowledge of volcanology and volcano-hazards such as petrology, physical volcanology, geochronology, and tephrochronology to map, interpret and describe pertinent geologic units and features and interpret volcanological processes based on those observations.

  • Ability and skill to  write scientific manuscripts suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals describing the results of studies as they apply to volcano eruption histories, volcano hazards, and fundamental volcanological processes.

  • Independently develop project concepts, goals, objectives, budgets, and timelines and prepare project funding proposals.

Special Note:

  • This position requires summer fieldwork travel to remote areas of the State; travel by boat, helicopter, and small aircraft is required.

  • This position requires outdoor work in inclement and sometimes severe weather conditions.
  • This position requires work in remote areas of Alaska where dangerous wildlife encounters (such as bears) are possible.
A cover letter IS required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

To view the general description and example duties for a Geologist III please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering.
AND
Two years of entry professional level experience in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering. This experience is met by service as a Geologist I with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
OR
One year of journey professional level experience in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering. This experience is met by service as a Geologist II with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

OR
A master's degree from an accredited college in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, geological engineering, engineering geology, or any of their subdivisions, including mining engineering.

Equivalent combinations of professional experience and graduate level education in the geoscience fields described above are acceptable and will be considered as follows: 24 graduate semester hours=one full year of graduate education=one full year of professional experience.

Additional Required Information

**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**
 
At time of application, applicant must attach as separate documents (If unable to attach please fax or email the contact listed below):
  1. Cover letter describing project leadership experience, and the knowledge, skills, and experience that apply to this position.
  2. Transcripts and/or work experience demonstrating that minimum qualifications for the Geologist III class specifications are met. 
  3. A copy of or on-line link to a first-author or co-author publication(s) that demonstrates expertise in any sub-discipline of volcanology.
 
If selected for an interview, applicants must provide the following:
  1. A list of three (3) professional references with current contact information, one (1) of which must be from a former or current supervisor
  2. A copy of your last performance evaluation (if you are a current or former State of Alaska employee)
APPLICATION NOTICE
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as ALEXsys or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska login to successfully apply. Your application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the date of closing. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" webpage, found here: http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/howtoapply/

FIREARMS 
This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.

A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law; and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position.

COVER LETTER INFORMATION
Your cover letter is required and will be considered a writing sample and will influence which applicants advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. In your cover letter attached to your application, you must highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the key responsibilities and desired strengths listed in the job description.

EDUCATION
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position.  Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview.
 
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
 
WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.     

Contact Information

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword
 
For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager at the following:
Name: Janet Schaefer, Geologist V
Phone: 907-451-5005
Fax: 907-451-5050
Email: Janet.Schaefer@alaska.gov 


Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits
  • Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
    • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State:   See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/programs/index.html for additional information.
      • AVTEC
      • Confidential
      • Correctional Officers
      • Marine Engineers
      • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
      • Supervisory
      • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
      • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
    • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts.  Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
      • General Government
      • Labor, Trades and Crafts
      • Public Safety Employees Association
      • Masters, Mates & Pilots
  • Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance Benefits
  • Group-based insurance premiums for
    • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
    • Long-term and short-term disability
    • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
    • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
    • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
  • Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits
  • Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
  • Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
  • Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
  • Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
  • Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
  • Note:  The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/retirement/index.html for additional information
 
Paid Leave & Other Benefits
  • Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
  • Eleven paid holidays a year
  • Gym discounts at participating fitness providers in multiple locations throughout the state.

See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/ghlb/employee/health/gymListing.html for additional information

01
I acknowledge I understand the education and/or experience being used to meet the minimum qualifications for this position must be adequately documented in this application in order to be considered. Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Failure to submit a complete application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job opening.
  • I acknowledge I understand this requirement
02
To complete your application for this position a cover letter is required. Have you attached a professionally written cover letter that highlights your knowledge, skills, abilities and experience as they pertain to the responsibilities listed in the job description?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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