The purpose of the position is to perform routine and uncomplicated physical science technical tasks (e.g., in chemistry, geology, geophysics, hydrology, physics, atmospheric science, and/or other physical sciences) in a cave environment.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/05/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2-page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the 2-page resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience. You MUST limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess ONE of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited if the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or other technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents. Specialized experience also includes protection of cave resources, cave restoration techniques and safely working in a cave environment. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with (a) with major study in an appropriate field of physical science, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. You must include transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience) and three years of education above high school (50% of the education) would qualify an applicant for this position. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and include transcripts. Volunteer Experience: 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. ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.
Some of the duties you will perform, include but are not limited to: Assists in monitoring, mitigating and restoring impacts to cave resources as well as other physical science tasks. Implementation of established natural resource monitoring protocols related to one or more physical sciences in a cave environment. Installs and manages remote monitoring instrumentation and data equipment. Creates maps and instructions for implementing resource protection. Performs data entry, analysis, and preparation of reports. Area Information: Jewel Cave National Monument is located in the southern Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota. It lies approximately 13 miles west of Custer, SD and 24 miles east of Newcastle, WY. It is most noted for its significant underground resources, as well as being recognized as the third longest cave in the world with over 200 miles of mapped and surveyed passages. Its surface features showcase a forested landscape, interspersed with open meadows and wildland fire scars. Limited shopping and medical facilities are available in the nearby gateway communities; however, full service amenities are available in Rapid City, SD, which is located around 50 miles northeast of Custer. Climates range from below freezing in the winter season to mid-90s during the summer months. Housing: Government Housing MAY be available.