Summary

This vacancy is for a Geographer position located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Geographer, 0150-11/12, FPL GS-12 positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Duties

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• Uses geographic concepts, tools, and systems to update a national geospatial database, including address, boundary, and feature data and/or support the creation of geographic and cartographic products.
• Writes technical documents and conduct discussions, meetings, trainings, and presentations with internal and external stakeholders regarding geospatial products and services.
• Manages geographic projects by developing and monitoring project requirements, software specifications, project schedules, identifying and analyzing problems, making recommendations, and implementing solutions to achieve objectives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Suitable for Federal employment.
• Registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• This is a BARGAINING unit position.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the date you submit your application to complete the assessment.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Geographer, GS-0150-11/12, you must meet the minimum and/or basic qualification requirements listed below.

Minimum Education Requirement: Degree: geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields.

OR

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND

Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 or equivalent in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Using geography and geographic tools and concepts to perform geographic and/or geospatial analysis and geographic operations related to geocoding and/or spatial updates and coordinates; working with geographic information systems and address list development; preparing and writing technical documents, specifications, guidelines, and letters; participating in discussions, meetings, and presentations; using office software such as Excel or other spreadsheet software to manipulate and analyze data and generate reports and presentations; and using automated tools to track projects and design and run queries in databases.

OR

Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

Combined Education and Experience

Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 or equivalent in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Using geography and geographic tools and concepts to perform geographic and/or geospatial analysis and geographic operations related to geocoding and/or spatial updates and coordinates; developing and writing technical documents, specifications, guidelines, and letters; conducting trainings, discussions, meetings, and presentations of complex technical information; managing technical projects, project plans and supporting documentation of geographic operations involving multiple stakeholders; and leading teams, setting priorities and project schedules.

Education: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

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.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the date you submit your application to complete the assessment.

Additional information

Applicants who apply under this Job Opportunity Announcement may opt-in (at their request) to allow the sharing of their resume, and other associated documents with other Federal Agencies who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade and pay band (or its equivalent), and full performance level in the same duty location or commuting area of the duty location listed on the Job Opportunity Announcement.

Individuals who have received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment, otherwise known as a buyout, must repay that incentive if they are reemployed by the Federal Government within five years of separation.

Additionally, the following links provide information on various hiring authorities that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.

• VRA (GS-11 or below)
• VEOA (permanent positions)
• 30% or more disabled veteran
• Military Spouse
• Persons with disabilities
• CTAP
• ICTAP

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

The Department of Commerce also provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, [redacted].

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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 windowLearn more about federal 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.