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Physical Scientist, GS-1301-14 (DE/CR)

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

Summary

USAJOBS and Monster Government Solutions (MGS) will be performing updates and scheduled maintenance between Sunday, December 10, and Monday, December 18, 2017. You may experience difficultly completing your application during this time period.

This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), Climate Prediction Center (CPC) with one vacancy in College Park, MD.

This position is also announced under vacancy number NWS-NCEP-2018-0014, which is open to status candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

*A one year probationaary period may be required.

*Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

*Payment of relocation incentives is authorized.

*This position is in the bargaining unit.

NOTE:

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Physical Scientist, GS-1301-14 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g.: within the same geographic locations, same grade/band and requires the same qualifications and specialized experience as indicated in this vacancy announcement).

The salary above reflects the 2017 pay scales. Salaries will be adjusted upon announcement of the 2018 pay tables. To see the current pay tables click here.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/27/2017 to 12/19/2017
Salary
$112,021 to - $145,629 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
College Park, MD
1 vacancy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Up to 10% of foreign and domestic travel may be required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time - Career Conditional/Career
Service
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
NWS-NCEP-2018-0015
Control number
485199400

This job is open to

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Duties

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As a Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties:

  • Lead and participate in significant joint research projects and developmental efforts targeted toward improving existing and developing new operational products.
  • Conduct studies and identify and formulate hypotheses for specific problems associated with Climate Prediction Center (CPC) operational products.
  • Evaluate the technical and scientific adequacy of relevant operational products and services by conducting product verification efforts targeted to improving the scientific basis of CPC products.
  • Perform analyses with the goal of improved understanding of relevant climate phenomena, prediction products and improved quality of monitoring products.
  • Publish the development and transition work in scientific journals to document improvements to products and services.

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)
  • Qualifications requirements must be met by closing date of announcement.

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: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

EDUCATION:

A. Degree: Degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional 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.

To qualify GS-14 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Leading research to develop new tools and improve existing operational techniques for climate monitoring and prediction products and service; and
  • Present climate information to the scientific community and the public.

Education

Substitution of education for experience is not applicable to this vacancy.

Additional information

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 Silver (Well Qualified). Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition

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) and place you in one of the three pre-defined categories. The categories are “gold”, “silver” and “bronze”. However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the “gold” category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans’ preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job. For more information on Category Rating, please go to Category Rating.

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

  • Ability to collaborate with internal and external subject matter experts.

  • Skill leading research efforts to improve existing and/or develop new climate monitoring operational products.

  • Knowledge of climate systems and prediction and monitoring products.

  • Ability to present findings in scientific meetings and conferences.


To preview questions please click here.

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