Social Scientist

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages the exploration and development of the nation's offshore resources. It seeks to appropriately balance economic development, energy independence, and environmental protection through oil and gas leases, renewable energy development and environmental reviews and studies. For information about our bureau go to: http://www.boem.gov/

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position, you must meet the (1) Basic Educational Requirements AND (2) Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

(1) Basic Educational Requirements:
In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, applicants must meet the Education

Requirements described below:

A. Degree: Behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

SUBMISSION OF TRANSCRIPTS IS REQUIRED.

OR

Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.


(2) Specialized Experience

To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

1. Applying the theories, practices, standards, and methodologies of the field of social science, particularly as it pertains to the intersection of social and cultural issues and resources within the human and natural environments that include such considerations as demographics, economics, recreation, environmental justice (EJ), infrastructure, and local and regional community profiles.

2. Working with and applying pertinent laws, regulations, practices, and techniques such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), and Executive Order 12898-Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.

3. Evaluating, characterizing, and describing an organization's activities and their social effects on culture, tribes, and historically marginalized communities.

4. Effectively communicating technical information, in written and verbal formats, to management and external stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds.

5. Developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing social science-related projects and resources.

Must meet all.

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Responsibilities:

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Office of Environment, Social Sciences Unit located in Jefferson, LA, or Sterling, VA, or Camarillo, CA or in Anchorage, AK

At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Serves as an advisor and consultant to senior management decision-makers on sociocultural and EJ-related regulations, policy, and research. As such, maintains authoritative knowledge of relevant BOEM regulations, policy, and research and is knowledgeable about other relevant Federal, State, and local regulations, policy, and research; is a lead for applicable Bureau regulatory changes and associated documents; and sustains an advance knowledge of industrial operations that may impact sociocultural and Environmental Justice (EJ) resources. Prepares briefs and presentations for management as warranted.
2. Represents the Region internally and the Bureau externally on sociocultural issues. As such participates on internal and external teams, including the Bureau EJ Working Group, develops and maintains working relationships with Federal agencies, industry, academia, and stakeholders, and attends meetings, workshops, and conferences as the Bureau's expert.
3. Reviews National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) documents, environmental and archeological documents, and Program and activity documents (e.g., Proposed Notices of Sale, Exploration Plans, Site Assessment Plans, and Geological and Geophysical Survey Permit Applications) for completeness, accuracy, and determining the sociocultural analysis and appropriate coordination needed for compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and guidance.
4. Coordinates and prepares the sociocultural sections of major, complex environmental documents associated with Program activities; these include NEPA documents (environmental impact statements and environmental assessments), consistency determinations under CZMA, and technical documents. Participates in the NEPA scoping and planning process, identifies data gaps or missing information, prepares impact definitions, designs criteria for impact assessment methodologies, writes sections of the environmental documents, and ensures critical action dates are achieved.
5. Identifies problems and data gaps which may be addressed as operational projects and research studies through the government procurement process. As such, develops study protocols to resolve these problems, recommends studies for funding approval, and accepts responsibility for the entire procurement cycle.

BOEM has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

This position is included in a bargaining unit. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 3457, is the exclusive representative of all employees in this bargaining unit.

Salary Information:

Jefferson, LA: GS-13: Step 1: $98,496 - Step 10: $128,043 per annum
Sterling, VA: GS-13: Step 1: $112,105 - Step 10: $145,617 per annum
Camarillo, CA: GS-13: Step 1: $114,044 - Step 10: $148,255 per annum
Anchorage, AK: GS-13: Step 1: $111,026 - Step 10: $144,331 per annum

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level.

This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.