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Supervisory Research Biologist, ZP-0401-4 (Direct Hire)

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), with one vacancy in San Diego, CA.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
11/01/2019 to 11/07/2019
Salary
$98,773 to - $151,739 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 04
Location
San Diego, CA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - 15% of foreign and domestic travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
04 - This position is not eligible for a promotion potential.
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NMFS-SWC-2019-0031
Control number
549027900

Duties

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As a Supervisory Research Biologist, you will perform the following duties:

  • Oversee and direct the scientific priorities of protected marine species management, conservation research projects and analysis through to completed science products as the Genetics Program Leader.
  • Provide science leadership and research vision over a comprehensive scientific research program whose mission is to provide the science foundation to enable informed and effective implementation of protected marine species management and conservation, using molecular genetics as it pertains to population structure, distribution and abundance, and health and condition.
  • Publish scientific results to advance knowledge base and inform scientific decisions, participates in briefings/working groups and activities related to Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) and present information to a variety of national and international working groups to advance protected species science, assessment, management and recovery activities.
  • Collaborate with Protected Resource Division’s four other science Program Leads, the Division Director and Deputy to develop short and long-term programmatic priorities, including engaging in strategic planning, ensuring effective budget execution and developing funding proposals.
  • Perform full scope of supervisory work by ensuring a safe working environment; giving advice, counsel or instruction to employees on work matters; assigning, reviewing and accepting work; developing and evaluating performance of subordinates; hearing and resolving grievances or serious employee complaints; as well as approving employee premium pay, time cards, training and travel.
  • Conducts protected species field work from shore, small boat and research vessel.

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.

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-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14

The full performance level of the position is ZP-4 or GS-13/14.

Category Rating, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to this Public Notice.

* A three year probationary period for research positions may be required.

* A one year supervisory period may be required.

* These probationary periods may be served concurrently.

* Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

* This position is not in the bargaining unit.

* This is a moderate risk public trust position. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This position has physical requirements. The incumbent will be required to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.

Condition of employment: The incumbent must be able to travel up to 3 weeks at a time.

NOTE:

*This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Supervisory Research Biologist, ZP-0401-4 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).

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:  

A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, 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-4 or GS-13/14 level:

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Conducting protected marine species research using molecular genetics;
  • Publishing peer-reviewed protected marine species manuscripts and/or recovery activity manuscripts;
  • Providing recommendations on scientific priorities and funding proposals related to protected marine species management and conservation; and
  • Conducting field work on protected species in the marine environment.

Education

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.

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have met the minimum qualifications for the position. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: 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.

Veteran’s Preference does not apply to direct hire recruitment procedures.

Any selections made under this notice will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Therefore, Current Federal employees would be given new appointments to the civil service and may have to serve a new probationary period under CFR 315.802 (b).

NOTE: A one year year probationary period will be required under the Direct Hire Authority unless you are a current Department of Commerce employee and are in the same line of work and with no more than a 30 day break in service.
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