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Support Services Specialist, ZA-0342-2 (MAP)

Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), Protected Resources Division (PRD) in San Diego, CA.There are a few vacancies in the SWFSC, San Diego, CA.There is one vacancy in the Federal Ecology Division (FED), SWFSC, Santa Cruz, CA.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
01/09/2020 to 01/17/2020
Salary
$59,210 to - $92,390 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZA 2
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
San Diego, CA
2 vacancies
Santa Cruz, CA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Up to 10% domestic travel may be required for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
2
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NMFS-SWC-2020-0007
Control number
555716600

Duties

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This position is also announced under vacancy number NMFS-SWC-2020-0006,which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

As a Support Services Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

  • Coordinate and conduct various functions to facilitate efficient implementation of marine mammal and sea turtle research including responding to agency data calls, records management and program planning support, which support protected species recovery and management as mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act.
  • Serve as the Division Travel Coordinator; review paperwork to ensure eligibility for travel and prepare authorizations, amendments and vouchers for all types of travel including domestic, foreign, invitational and Gift and Bequest in the Federal Government Travel system; provide informational and technical guidance on travel policies and procedures.
  • Review, edit and process scientific publications in conformance with Information Quality Act requirements; provide informational and technical guidance on publication policies and procedures.
  • Generate cost estimates for field research projects and scientific meetings; maintain accounting for travel funds and assist in analyzing trends, obligations and expenditures.
  • Assist in coordinating scientific meetings and participate in marine mammal and sea turtle field research as needed.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.
  • Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • Must be suitable for Federal employment.
  • Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
  • Time-in-grade/band must be met by closing date of announcement.

Monster Government Solutions (MGS) will be performing scheduled maintenance Thursday, Jan 9th at 12:01.You may not be able to complete the application process during this time. The scheduled maintenance will end at 11:59 p.m. ET, Thursday, January 9.

This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). This system replaced the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band.

The ZA-2 is equivalent to the GS-07/09, however is only being advertised equivalent to the GS-09 grade level.

* A one year probationary period may be required.

* Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

* This position is not in the bargaining unit

College Transcript:  If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume.  You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work.  An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.

Applicants must meet ALL application requirements, to include a complete online resume, by 11:59 p.m. EASTERN TIME (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards.  This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.

EDUCATION:   There is no positive education requirement for this position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.  Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.  This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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.

To qualify at the ZA-2 or GS-09 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower pay band (ZA-2) or GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Assisting with travel authorizations, amendments, and vouchers for domestic and foreign travel;
  • Assisting with reviewing, editing and processing of scientific publications; and
  • Conducting responses to agency data calls, records managements and program planning support functions.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Two years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to a master’s degree in public administration, business administration, industrial engineering, industrial management, or other closely related administrative or management fields.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above.

Note: Only graduate education in excess of 1 full year is qualifying for combination of education and experience.

Additional information

The salary range for positions in San Diego, CA location is: $59,210 to $84,767. The salary range for the position in Santa Cruz, CA is $ 64,535 to $92,390.

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.  Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
  2. A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:                   

  1. A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  2. A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action” documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

NOAA participates in e-Verify.  E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.  If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions).  However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.  The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

  • Ability to provide programmatic support for protected species research.
  • Ability to prepare and provide guidance for foreign and domestic travel.
  • Knowledge of the Information Quality Act requirements.
  • Ability to provide editorial support for scientific publications.
  • Ability to assist with the tracking and analysis of financial data.
  • Ability to coordinate and participate in protected species meetings and field research.

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.


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