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SCSN/USGS Electronics Technician Position Open

Date: 01/20/2015

On behalf of Valerie Thomas, USGS:
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SCSN/USGS Electronics Technician

The USGS Pasadena office is seeking a motivated, talented individual to join our team and help operate the Southern California Seismic Network.

Job Title: Electronics Technician GS-0856-09 (DEU-Perm-LJ)
Department: Department Of The Interior
Agency: Geological Survey, Earthquake Science Center, Pasadena, CA
Job Announcement Number: PAC-2015-0234
Series & Grade: GS-0856-09/11
Position Information: Permanent - Full-Time
Salary Range: $53,915.00 to $84,800.00 / Per Year

Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/391219700

The position is located in Pasadena, California within the Southwestern Region, Earthquake Hazards Science Center. The incumbent will support the mission of the Southern California Earthquake Monitoring Project which includes the Southern California Seismic Network (SCSN) and the Califomia Integrated Seismic Network (CISN). The SCSN monitors all earthquake activity in southern California through a network of more than 400 seismic stations, 100 GPS stations, dedicated telemetry systems, and numerous real-time, analysis and notification computer systems.
 
The incumbent is responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance of field equipment  and communications infrastructure of the Southern California Seismographic Network (SCSN) and the USGS GPS network. This work is accomplished in cooperation with other USGS, CISN and cooperator field engineers. The incumbent will be responsible for a variety of equipment including seismic sensors, data loggers, power systems, antennas, computer networking equipment, telephone equipment, radios, and satellite, microwave and cellular communications systems. This equipment is located throughout southern Califomia including at remote sites in hostile environments.

DUTIES:
As an Electronics Technician within the Earthquake Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:  

At the GS-9 level:

- Troubleshoot problems with seismic instruments and telemetry devices.

- Maintain major components and telemetry networks at a very high level of reliability.

- Document work performed clearly and logically.

At the GS-10 and GS-11 level, above duties plus:

- Plan, design, and fabricate state-of-the-art telemetry and electronic systems as part of the installation or upgrade of seismic and GPS stations.

- Install, configure, diagnose, and repair sophisicated electronic seismic and GPS station components.

- Monitor the continuous operation of network data to detect and fix problems in order to maximize data return.

At the GS-10 level, when performing higher level duties, more assistance, instruction, guidance, oversight, review, and supervision would be provided.

The resumes of those who apply MUST have when detailing past positions: job title, name of company/agency, month/yr to month/yr, (e.g., January 2013 – April 2014), number of hours per week, salary, supervisor’s name and # (can put statement, “can call/do not call/contact me before calling,”) and narrative (not bullet list) of duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  The USGS suggests a resume of at least two pages, with half a page devoted to each position.  (There is a template at usajobs.gov to follow.)  Transcripts (unofficial is fine), DD-214s, etc., MUST be attached if/as required by the Vacancy Announcement.  Please do not wait until the last day in case of computer issues/family emergency, etc.