KEY REQUIREMENTS



• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Background and/or security investigation is required.
• All documents must be received by closing date.
• Social Security Number is required to process your application.

The incumbent serves as the NPS Pacific Island Inventory and Monitoring Network lead for freshwater aquatic science with lead responsibility for the Water Quality, Freshwater Animals: Streams, Freshwater Animals: Anchialine Pools, and Groundwater Dynamics Monitoring Protocols. The incumbent must have good knowledge and experience in hydrology and water quality science. Duties will include the coordination of field logistics, data collection, data analysis, and monitoring report creation. The position will lead a small team of biological technicians and includes some supervisory duties. Travel will be required to Pacific Island National Parks. Good communication skills are necessary to create technical reports regularly and to arrange logistics in remote parks. The incumbent will need to develop and track a budget and represent the aquatic program to parks, the Program Manager, and at other meetings. The incumbent will provide freshwater aquatic technical expertise to park staff as requested.

Position Location:  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  Please visit http://www.nps.gov/havo for area information.

For specific area and housing information, or information directly pertaining to vacancy status, contact:  Greg Kudray, I&M Program Manager, 808-985-6183. 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ECOLOGIST:

Have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester/45 quarter hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester/13.5 quarter hours in ecology and 12 semester/18 quarter hours in physical and mathematical sciences.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICAL SCIENTIST:

Possess a four year or higher degree in physical science, engineering or mathematics that includes 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. 

OR

Possess an equivalent combination of education and experience – education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science plus appropriate experience or education to total four years.  The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Have at least one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal Service that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.  Examples of qualifying specialized experience may include, but are not limited to: work with freshwater resource monitoring protocols including freshwater animals, streams, anchialine pools, water quality, and groundwater dynamics.

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Have successfully completed at least 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree (54 semester hours or 81 quarter hours) in an accredited educational institution concentrated in a field that is directly related to the work of this position, such as in aquatic ecology, water quality, hydrology, or other directly-related subject matter.

AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF QUALIFYING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Have an equivalent combination of such education and experience. For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 (50 percent of the experience requirement for GS-11) and 45 semester hours or 68 quarter hours of appropriate directly related graduate education (50 percent of the education requirement for GS-11, in excess of that required for GS-09).

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

Applicants are responsible for providing documentation that the applicable educational provisions have been met.  To qualify based on education you must submit a legible copy of transcripts or list of college courses with your name, school name, credit or semester hours, major(s), and a grade-point average or class ranking.  Official transcripts are required upon selection if you qualified based on education.

Education must have been obtained from an accredited or pre-accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.  Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

For further information on creditable education visit: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html and http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information on the qualification requirements can be viewed on the OPM web site at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications

Your application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic job requirements.  In addition, we will evaluate your responses to the attached online Assessment Questionnaire to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position.  To preview the Assessment Questionnaire click here: View Assessment Questions

The Assessment Questionnaire is designed to measure your ability in the following competencies needed to successfully perform on the job:

KSA-1.  Knowledge of water chemistry and freshwater biology including water sampling, groundwater monitoring, nutrient cycling, hydrology, and other physical, chemical and biological components of aquatic ecosystems.
KSA-2.  Ability to plan, design, and implement a complex natural resource program that includes assisting in hiring and training staff, managing a budget, and coordinating logistics at park locations.
KSA-3.  Ability to professionally communicate in oral and written form to natural resource professionals, managers, decision-makers, the public, and scientists.
KSA-4.  Ability to safely and efficiently lead a field work team in challenging Pacific Island environments. 

Basis for rating:

Applicants who meet the qualification requirements specified above for this position will be evaluated, and a score assigned, based upon the responses provided on the job specific questionnaire that is required as part of the application process for this position.

Applicants who meet the qualification requirements based on responses provided in the Applicant Assessment Questionnaire will be placed in one of three categories:  Best-Qualified, Well-Qualified or Qualified.  Within these categories, applicants referred to the selecting official that are eligible for Veteran’s Preference will receive selection priority over Non-Veterans.

DO NOT SEND Application materials by mail or email to the HR Franchise Office.

YOU MUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS BELOW TO APPLY.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the basic qualifications have been met, you will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position.  The evaluation will be based on information you provide in your on-line resume, your answers to the knowledge, skills, and abilities questions for this announcement, and a review of the application material requested as part of this announcement.

You must provide information about your experience and/or education that supports the answers you give in the questionnaire, and the KSAs required for this position.

The Federal Government offers a number of exceptional benefits to employees.  The following web address is provided as a reference to explore the major benefits offered to most employees:  http://www.usajobs.gov/EI/benefits.asp

OTHER INFORMATION:

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses may be authorized in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations and current National Park Service permanent change of station policy.

Government housing is not available.

Must provide Social Security Number to be considered.

Pre-employment National Agency Check (NACI) must be completed for anyone who doesn't already have this level of clearance prior to entry on duty.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service Law.

Physical demands: The position may require physical exertion during trips to inspect natural resource problems and projects or to perform fieldwork related to inventory, monitoring or research.  This can involve hiking or climbing over rough and/or rocky terrain, snorkeling or diving, wading, riding in small boats, exposure to adverse weather conditions, and lifting and carrying heavy objects.  A significant portion of time will be spent in an office setting and involve documentary research and report writing.

Work environment: Normally, the work is performed in an office setting.  However, the incumbent is occasionally exposed on field trips to moderate discomfort such as extremes of heat or cold, high amounts of insolation, and inclement weather.  Periodic trips are made to network parks and occasional trips are made to regional offices or other mainland destinations to participate in service wide meetings or other professional meetings.  Flying in fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, and riding in various types of watercraft are possible.

CTAP/ICTAP - Qualified individuals applying based on special priority consideration rights under Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.  To be considered well-qualified for this purpose, you must clearly meet all qualification requirements specified for this position including any selective factors, and must also clearly meet the fully satisfactory or equivalent level for each of the rating factors (knowledges, skills, abilities, and competencies required for this position as specified above.

Individuals claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP.  This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.  Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

Veteran's Preference - If you are claiming Veteran's Preference, you MUST clearly identify your claim on your application and provide specific required evidence such as: DD-214, "Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty", or Standard Form 15 (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference" and proof requested on the form.  Failure to submit appropriate supporting documentation will result in NOT granting Veteran's Preference.

To apply for this position, provide a complete application package, which includes both of the following parts:

1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire, and
2. Your resume or application and any other supporting documents needed (such as DD214 to show Veteran's Preference, SF-50 or transcripts, etc.).
 
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.  We do not accept hard-copy or email application packages.  You must apply online or via fax (see instructions below).

 
Applying Online:
 
. To begin the application process on-line, click on the Apply Online Button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJobs account.  Follow the prompts to complete the Assessment Questionnaire.
. Please be sure to click on the Submit My Answers button at the end at the process.
. To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page, http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the Vacancy ID: 601890.  Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
 

Applying via fax:
 
. Click this link View Assessment Questions to view and print the Assessment Questionnaire
. Print the 1203FX form found at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm1203fx.pdf to provide your response to the Assessment Questionnaire
. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with your resume or application and any required documentation to 1-478-757-3144.  The 1203 FX will serve as your cover sheet.

 
HOW TO VERIFY YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED:
 
1. Go to https://applicationmanager.gov and log in using your USAStaffing Application Manager User Name and Password.
2. Verify that your questionnaire, resume, and supporting documents were submitted successfully by clicking on the appropriate vacancy id.
3. Verify that all of your documents were submitted by reviewing the table.
 
If an item (Type of Document) on the table appears with a status of "OK", that Item was successfully submitted.
 
IF YOU NEED HELP WITH THE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS: 
 
If you need help, or have problems using the online application process, send an email to applicationmanagerhelpdesk@opm.gov.
 

Applications must be typed or printed clearly in dark ink.  Forms and additional information on how to apply for Federal jobs can be obtained from the Internet at www.usajobs.opm.gov, or by calling (478) 757-3000 or RDD (478) 744-2299.
 
For additional information on this announcement, contact:

Name: Jamie Phelps 

Email:  Jamie_Phelps@nps.gov

Phone: 303-985-6851 

Note:  If you receive an email stating that there was a technical problem uploading your documents, you should fax the applicable documentation to OPM at 478-757-3144.  Be sure to use the fax cover sheet that was linked in the vacancy announcement; include the appropriate Vacancy ID Number 601890 so that the fax is processed properly and promptly. For further questions regarding applying online or by fax, please contact OPM at ApplicationManagerHelpDesk@opm.gov.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire, and
2. Your resume and any other supporting documents needed (such as DD-214 to show Veteran's Preference, SF-50, transcripts, etc.).

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once your complete application is received, we will verify your responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire against the other supporting application materials you submit, and your final score will be assigned.  Based on applicant scores, the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.  You will be notified when referral has been made and what the final outcome is.  We expect to make a selection within 45 working days of the closing date of this announcement.