Help Help Duties

As an Editorial Assistant within the Science Publishing Network, some of your specific duties will include:

Reviewing and electronically editing technical and (or) nontechnical materials, identifying inadequacies in format, grammar, or construction in accordance with standards such as the GPO Style Manual.
Utilizing knowledge of the rules of English grammar and the theories and techniques of writing and editingto adapt complex or technical material to the level of knowledge of the audience.
Reviewing, editing, rewriting, and reorganizing manuscripts that show the results of scientific studies in such diverse fields as hydrology, geology, biology, and chemistry.
Suggesting rewrites or reorganization of manuscript sections to make the presentation of ideas logical, the expression of thoughts clear and concise, the presentation of the data consistent with style and accepted scientific practice, and the writing appropriate for the target audience.
Utilizing knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure in order to perform copyediting tasks.

There are multiple vacancies that may be filled at any of the following locations: Lafayette, LA; Lakewood, CO; Nashville, TN; Northborough, MA; or Rolla, MO. The location will be determined when a selection is made.

Salary

Lafayette, LA

GS-05 37,696 (Step 01) to $49,009 (Step 10)

GS-06 $42,022 (Step 01) to $54,625 (Step 10)

Lakewood, CO

GS-05 $41,757 (Step 01) to $54,289 (Step 10)

GS-06 $46,548 (Step 01) to $60,509 (Step 10)

Nashville, TN

GS-05 37,696 (Step 01) to $49,009 (Step 10)

GS-06 $42,022 (Step 01) to $61,447 (Step 10)

Northborough, MA

GS-05 $42,404 (Step 01) to $55,130 (Step 10)

GS-06 $47,270 (Step 01) to $60,836 (Step 10)

Rolla, MO

GS-05 37,696 (Step 01) to $49,009 (Step 10)

GS-06 $42,022 (Step 01) to $54,625 (Step 10)

NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Help Help Requirements Conditions of Employment

Key Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
If selected you may be asked to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as those related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
Qualifications

For GS-05:

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-5 level:

One year of specialized experience in or directly related to the position to be filled that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, the required specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service.
OR a full four years of progressive, successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is a prerequisite may be used to meet the qualification requirements for GS-5. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university.OR equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education, as described above, and specialized experience, as described below, may be used to meet the qualification requirements for GS-5. Only progressive education in excess of the first 60 semester hours, 90 quarter hours, or 1440 classroom hours (i.e., beyond the first two years) of a course of study is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION & SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE)
For GS-06

Applicants must have one year of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service that is in or related to that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Examples of such experience may include: preparing, formatting, and copyediting documents for senior editors to review; fact checking content; copyediting digital or print content for publication or dissemination; and/or compiling and copyediting content for a regular newsletter, journal, or other professional communication products for dissemination. This work experience would have involved reviewing submitted work for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes and would have required a good working knowledge of the principles of writing and editing, including sentence structure, overall organization and clarity, and editorial style.

The above duties are for the GS-06 level. For the lower grade level, the selectee will perform a wide range of tasks described in the above duties, but at a lower level of work designed to further develop and refine the knowledge and skills of the individual. Assignments will typically combine productive work with on-going training and instruction. Supervision received at the lower level will be closer with oversight and review being provided more frequently.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education
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.Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .
Additional Information

Other Information:
Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Agency Benefits:
USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. 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.For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies .Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave , and holidays ; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts , and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System .
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Help Help 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 window Learn more about federal benefits .
Review our 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. --Basis of Rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified and Qualified. You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you are eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.
Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies:Information ManagementPublications DesignWritten CommunicationScientific Knowledge
Additional Assessment Required: If you meet the eligibility and basic qualification requirements for this position and score above the cut-score based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire, you will be required to edit a writing sample and a subject-matter-expert will perform a review to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position.
NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.
To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11840166

U.S. Department of the Interior

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Editorial Assistant