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Cartographer, ZP-1370-2/3 (GRAD)

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

Summary

This position is located in the National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Coast Survey (OCS), Marine Chart Division (MCD) with six vacancies in Silver Spring, MD.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/16/2019 to 09/25/2019
Salary
$57,510 to - $108,422 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 2 - 3
Location
Silver Spring, MD
6 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent Graduates
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
3 - If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you may be non-competitively promoted if you perform successfully and if recommended by management.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NOS-OCS-2019-0021
Control number
545565800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous (2) two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Current students who are within four months of graduation will be considered. Exception: A veteran due to military service obligation was unable to apply with 2 years of receiving their degree, will have up to (6) six years after degree completion to apply.

Duties

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As a Cartographer, you will perform the following duties:

  • Maintain a national navigational database to construct, maintain and distribute National Ocean Service (NOS) nautical products and services to the marine public.
  • Compile charting databases and develop chart products based on established charting policies and standards and provides detailed product quality evaluations.
  • Carry out cartographic tasks and projects with minimal guidance.
  • Select, compile, exchange, store, catalog, abstract, index, interpret, evaluate and disseminate cartographic and technical information and data.
  • Write, edit, and review material to appear in publications, reports, periodicals, brochures, speeches, and audio-visual productions.

These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-3, the ZP-2 is developmental leading to such performance.

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)
  • Must sign a Pathways Programs Participant Agreement.
  • A minimum one year trial period will be required.

This position is being recruited with an opportunity for non-competitive conversion eligibility to a permanent OR term position upon completion of all Recent Graduate program requirements. Conversion is not mandatory nor guaranteed (see Other Information).

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 ZP-2 is equivalent to the GS-07/08/09/10. However, it's being advertised equivalent to the GS-09/10.

The ZP-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12. 

* Applicants will be on a trial period for the duration of the appointment.

* Relocation/Moving expenses will not be authorized.

* Student Loan Repayment will not be authorized.

* This position is not in the bargaining unit.

NOTE:
This vacancy may be used to fill other Cartographer, ZP-1370-2/3 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g.: the same qualifications and eligibility requirements as indicated in this vacancy announcement).

College Transcript:  Applicants must submit a copy of their college transcript that lists college courses, course title, and number of credit hours. If you have a future graduation date, you must provide a letter from the school registrars's office that includes the name of the student/applicant, the name of the school, and verification of your anticipated graduation date. The transcripts or letter must indicate that the degree has been conferred.  You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process, but an official certified copy must be received before you can report to duty.

Qualifying Education Institution: Any of the following educational institutions or curricula that have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

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.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience or a substitution of education for experience in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements: 

Degree: Cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such course work includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites).

OR

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND

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 ZP-2 or GS-09 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 ZP-2 or GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Assisting with the production and distribution of nautical products and services;
  • Utilizing charting databases and/or geospatial software to update and certify nautical products;
  • Communicating and educating users on cartographic products and services; and
  • Participating in or supporting research to identify solutions to routine cartographic issues.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR

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

NOTE: Only graduate-level education in excess of 1 year is qualifying for combination of education and experience.

To qualify at the level ZP-3 or GS-11 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 ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Reviewing nautical products and services and developing product quality evaluations;
  • Utilizing charting databases and/or geospatial software to update and certify nautical products;
  • Communicating and educating users on cartographic products and services;
  • Conducting research to identify solutions to novel cartographic issues; and
  • Writing, editing, and disseminating material regarding cartographic products and services

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION:  3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

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

Note: Only graduate education in excess of 2 full years is qualifying for combination of education and experience.

Additional information

PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION: Upon completion of the minimum 1-year career development program, Program participants may, at agency discretion, be non-competitively converted without a break in service, to a career or career conditional appointment. There is no guarantee for conversion.

To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must:
• Successfully complete the developmental minimum one year period indentified.
• Demonstrate successful job performance.
• Meet the Office of Personnel Management’s qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.
• Complete 40 hours of formal interactive training within developmental period.
• Sign a Pathways Programs Participant Agreement upon appointment.
• Meet established goals outlined in the Recent Graduate’s Individual Development Plan (IDP).
• Recommended by supervisor/manager for conversion to permanent OR term position.
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.

Your resume, supporting documents and responses to the online questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements. Veterans’ preference applies to all selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with CFR, Part 302.

ALL GRADES:

  • Knowledge of professional cartographic theories, concepts and principles.
  • Skill in communicating and collaborating with strategic partners to provide quality product/priority services.
  • Ability to identify and analyze problems, test and evaluate solutions, and consider the potential impacts of implemented changes.
  • Ability to present new ideas and concepts to improve current procedures.

ZP-2 ONLY:

  • Knowledge of GIS, mapping and related sciences, mathematics and statistics to review and process data.

ZP-3 ONLY:

  • Knowledge of mapping and related sciences, mathematics and statistics to review and process data.
  • Ability to understand and interpret technical material for a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to write, edit and organize highly technical material.

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