Summary Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource This position is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Information about Salt Lake City and the surrounding area can be found here. We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available. Responsibilities This position serves as the Critical Minerals Surface Management Geologist, with an emphasis on lithium development for the Division of Lands and Minerals, Branch of Solid Minerals at the Utah State Office. Provide technical support and review of mining and exploration proposals to ensure compliance with regulations (such as 43 CFR 3809 and 3715, etc.) and statutes (such as Mining Law of 1872, as amended, Surface Resources Act of 1955, etc.) Review and ensure the reclamation cost estimate contains all the components for the proposed mining activity and all appropriate contingencies. Conduct and prepare State Director Reviews for critical minerals. Assist the Surface Management (Mining Law) Lead with the preparation of annual review and certification for State Director’s signature of all financial guarantees for operations authorized and accepted under the authority 3809 regulations. Assist field office geologists with inspections and enforcement issues or questions. Review and assist with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) development. Provide technical training to the field office geologists and management regarding the Surface Management programs' roles, responsibilities, and policies for critical minerals. Interpret analytical results of waste rock, tailings, heap material, brines, surface, and groundwater sampling results to determine the proper handling of these substances or resources in the mine plan. Provide input on budget coordination, annual work plan preparation, and workload performance measures for critical mineral portion of the locatable program. Prepare and manage as the Program Officer Intra-agency and Cooperative Agreements for critical minerals with other Federal agencies and State partners. Prepare administrative records for litigation and responses to appeals with the assistance of staff and Regional Solicitors. Maintains electronic case files and updates The Mineral and Land Records (MLRS) system as needed. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Selective Placement Factor: This position may require a special qualification that could be determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not certify they may be required to possess the following selective factor will be rated not qualified: Incumbent may be required to have certification as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or Agreements Technical Representative (ATR) depending on bureau/office requirements. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. In addition to the Basic Education requirements, to qualify at the GS-12 level you must meet the following: Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level equivalent in difficulty and complexity to perform the duties of a Geologist. Qualifying specialized experience includes: analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing; reviewing, approving, or submitting Surface Management notice, plan of operations, or other related geologic reports or publications; calculating a financial guarantee in accordance with federal Surface Management regulations, policies, handbooks, and/or state bonding requirements; and applying geologic principles, theories, and practices to complete complex work assignments. Please note there are no educational substitutions 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 experience. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Physical Demands: Some work of the position takes place mostly in an office or laboratory setting. No special physical effort is required. Work Environment: Some work takes place in office or laboratory settings with adequate heat, light, and ventilation. Office conditions do not require special safety precautions; field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rain or snow, and hazardous conditions such as exposure to extreme temperature, noxious or toxic gasses, ice or flooding. Education This position has a positive education requirement which requires that you have: A degree in geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography. OR A combination of education and experience -- course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Experience: Acceptable experience may have been gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing. Experience that involved only one phase of geology work, e.g., collecting samples, would not be acceptable as providing the required professional knowledge of the theory and principles of geology. In some situations, professional scientific experience in other fields may be accepted in part as professional geological experience. Such experience must have been preceded by appropriate education in geology or by professional geological experience, and must have contributed directly and significantly to the applicant's professional geological competence. Examples include some positions in geophysics, mining engineering, soils science, physical oceanography, hydrology, climatology, biology, analytic or experimental chemistry, metallurgy, and comparable fields where the normal duties or results of investigations have been extended to the solution of geologic problems by the applicant. Ordinary functions of positions such as seismic, computer, petroleum or mining engineer, mine superintendent, or metallurgist generally are not considered professional geological experience. To receive credit for geological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional geological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to geologic duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the geologic functions. Additional Information DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.