We’re Hiring! Communications and Engagement Team Lead

The U.S. Geological Survey Water Mission Area is hiring a Communications and Engagement Team Lead (Interdisciplinary Supervisor; Announcement USGS-SAC-25-12597269-DHA-MW).

Update: The job posting has been closed as of Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

The U.S. Geological Survey Water Mission Area is hiring a Communications and Engagement Team Lead (Interdisciplinary Supervisor; Announcement # USGS-SAC-25-12597269-DHA-MW). The position is a full-time, permanent federal position . Apply online at USA Jobs , where applications will be accepted Monday, November 18, 2024 to Friday, November 22, 2024, but the position may close early if there are more than 50 applicants. In that case, the vacancy will close at 11:59 PM ET on the day when that threshold is passed (all applications received before that time will be considered).

Want to learn more about the job? We will be hosting an informational webinar on Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / 12pm PT. Join the Microsoft Teams Live Event at this link.

Link to apply: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/817686100

Read on for more information about how to apply and the relevant skills needed. For additional information, reach out to hiring manager eread@usgs.gov  (Emily Read she/her).

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Transparency

The federal hiring process is complex, but we don’t want that to be the reason you don’t apply. Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note that this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have the passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest. We are committed to inclusive hiring practices that build a healthy workplace where diversity is our strength and everyone has the support they need to succeed. That starts right now, with us lifting the veil on the confusing process of applying for federal jobs. We especially encourage you to apply if you are BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, have a disability, or are of any marginalized identity. Please read below for details on how the application process works.

Communications and Engagement Team Lead (Interdisciplinary Supervisor)

We are seeking one GS-13 supervisor to help us advance communications and engagement on water science and information for the U.S. Geological Survey. This job will use the Biologist , Physical Scientist , and Mathematical Statistician job series, so applicants must be able to show they meet the educational requirements for these series to be considered for the position. The position is in the Water Mission Area’s Web Communications Branch. This position will supervise a cross-functional team that includes technologists, science communicators, and educational experts. Job duties include:

• Lead projects within one or more capabilities: data visualization, web communication, user-centered design, and/or user engagement.
• Collaborate with experts in other domains or agencies to develop strategies for improving efficiency, quality, understanding, and accessibility of USGS-Water Mission Area science.
• Implement new and existing data-intensive solutions for areas of need including communications and engagement.
• Plan the work of the group, establish work standards and provide job priorities.

The location of the duty station for the supervisor is negotiable and is eligible for telework.

Additional Information

The Process

Calculating the value of the job

• General Schedule Grades – The pay and responsibilities of these Federal jobs are defined by general schedule (GS) Grades, which are roughly equivalent to the levels concept used elsewhere. The positions will be advertised at GS-13.
• Pay – Salary bands are started at the Nation-wide GS Base Pay Scale and then adjusted for location. To find what salary band you’d be looking at, search “GS 2021 Salary Table + {{ Your location }}" and look at Grade 13. The “steps” in the grade are intermediate performance-based pay increases between grades. Typically, new hires into the federal government start at “Step 1”.
• Benefits – These positions include health and life insurance, 5% retirement match, 11 federal holidays , 13 sick days + 13 vacation days per year, paid parental leave, and accrual of federal service to count towards a pension (typically an additive 1% of the average of your highest 3 years of salary for each year of service). See USGS human resources pay and benefits page for more details.
• Intangibles - If the mission of public service towards advancing environmental science communication and data delivery resonates with you, there will be no shortage of energy and motivation available when working with great colleagues on these challenges. Likewise, a flexible schedule and emphasis on work-life balance are important components of work at the USGS.

Applying for the job

• Creating a USA Jobs account - These federal positions will be posted and filled using public vacancy announcements on usajobs.gov . If you are remotely interested in applying to any of the positions mentioned here or elsewhere, get ahead by creating an account as soon as you can. Having an active account will allow you to set up job filters and get a jump start on getting your application materials together.

• Qualifying for the GS-13 grade - We recognize that individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and different experiences will be able to excel at these jobs. That said, federal pay grades have requirements that applicants must meet for the system to pass you on to the pool that we can then review. We CAN’T STRESS THIS ENOUGH: see USGS tips for combining graduate education and experience  and spell out how you meet the grade and job series qualifications. I’ve seen people attach an additional document to the hiring package that makes this math clear to HR. We will be advertising a combination of Biologist , Physical Scientist , and Mathematical Statistician  job series.

• GS-13 – 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.

• Specialized experience - We’re using USGS’s direct hire authority (DHA) to post public positions and see a wide candidate pool. We expect a lot of applications and are planning on interviewing lots of people. By using DHA we will be able to consider any candidate who meets the minimum educational and work experience for the job series (see above) and the Specialized Experience that we’ve defined for the role. Required specialized experience for this role:

  • Examples of specialized experience may include exercising a wide latitude of independent judgement to plan, lead, and report on complex projects involving physical, hydrologic, biological, natural resources, or geospatial data and/or information delivery; use of a variety of data collection and processing methods; and use of science communication and educational tools including web content management systems, data visualization, plain language writing, and social media platforms.
  • This work typically involves extensive modification of conventional methods and techniques, without guidelines or precedent, to the problems at hand and interpreting findings in terms of their scientific and/or technical significance. At this level, physical scientists have the ability to independently perform scientific work of considerable complexity, breadth, and diversity.
  • Specialized Experience includes the demonstration of specific skills for a minimum of one year, so make sure to be explicit about how you’ve met these requirements in your resume.

• Materials – You’ll need a resume and educational transcripts (unofficial are OK). Again, to make sure HR can see that you’re qualified, make sure your resume explicitly ties your experience to each of the qualifications listed for the grades you are applying for and also the Specialized Experience section. This position has a positive education requirement. This means that if you don’t have the required coursework, you will be disqualified from further consideration. You should submit ALL copies of your unofficial transcripts which includes semester hours earned and grade received. This is especially important if you’ve attended multiple schools. Your current school doesn’t always list the transfer classes out. The transcripts are needed to confirm that they have completed the required coursework for the basic education requirement. ALL applicants regardless of whether they are current USGS, or whether they are currently in the series MUST do this.  Resumes should include a month and year, number of hours worked, along with your relevant work experience underneath each period of employment. Your resume or CV should contain enough details regarding your work experience for us to determine whether you have the specialized experience or not. USAJOBS Help Center | What should I include in my federal resume?

• Application Window – The application window will be open on USA Jobs from 11/18/2024 – 11/22/2024, but the positions may close early if there are more than 50 applicants. In that case, the job vacancy will close at 11:59 PM ET on the day when the 50-applicant threshold is passed (all applications received before that time will be considered). This window is really, really short, so don’t delay submitting an application if you are interested. You MUST submit ALL required documentation prior to the close of the announcement.  All documents must be legible! You can always e-mail the HR contact person in the vacancy announcement to confirm that your documents all uploaded correctly. Applicants may also access the HELP section of the USAJobs site. It goes into more detail regarding the federal hiring process.  https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

• Timeline – After the application window closes, HR combs through applications and filters for candidates who meet the GS Grade qualification and specialized experience. Then they’ll pass on that entire list to the hiring manager. The hiring manager will contact all the qualified candidates for additional information and will set up interviews, or writing/portfolio requests. From there, they will refer a selected candidate to HR, and HR will extend an offer. After HR makes an offer, that is your chance to negotiate the offer and ultimately accept or reject it. Once negotiations are done and you accept the offer, HR will perform a background check. Then you agree to a start date and at that time your employment at the USGS begins!

Common Questions

• Q: Is this open to non-U.S. citizens?
  • A: You must be a U.S. citizen or national (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) to work for the Federal Government, but there are some exceptions. More information here: https://usajobs.gov/help/working-in-government/non-citizens/
• Q: Should I use my CV/resume or the USAjobs template?
  • A: Either is fine. Whichever format you choose, we recommend taking time to explicitly spell out how your experience meets the qualification requirements for the job series, GS level, and specialized experience. USGS tips on combining education and experience : Job series qualifications for:
    • Biologist (job series 0401) ,
    • Physical Scientist (job series 1301) , and 
    • Mathematical Statistician (job series 1529)
• Q: I am a student graduating after the application window closes, can I still apply?
  • A: Yes. As long as you will meet the educational requirements, or combined education and experience qualifications. If you have completed your degree requirements, but your transcripts have not yet been updated, you may submit a letter from the school indicating that you have completed the degree requirements along with a copy of your most recent unofficial transcripts.