Clarification from the agency

VEOA, 30% Disabled. VRA; VRA is not applicable to the GS-12. Current or former employees at a land management agency who were initially hired under competitive procedures in a time-limited appointment. Schedule A.

This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), with one vacancy in Boulder, CO.

This office has two very large windows to allow viewing by various tour groups and other employees. This requires employees working in this office to conduct their duties with a high degree of professionalism at all times.  Potential applicants must factor this work environment into their decision to apply for this position.

The working title for this position is Space Weather Forecaster. As a Space Weather Forecaster, you will perform the following duties:

• Integrate all space weather environmental data available from a variety of sources and analyze and assess the current and forecast space weather situation, including devising and formulating all necessary warning and forecast products assigned during the forecast shift, with emphasis on meeting the needs of the users.
• Conduct space weather watch, which involves the interpretation of a host of both ground-based and satellite data and imagery including measurements across the electromagnetic spectrum, in situ particle measurements, solar and ground-based magnetic observations, and host of empirical and physics-based model output.
• Provide space weather advice and guidance to the general public as needed, and to other federal government agencies including but not restricted to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and United States Department of Defense (DoD).
• Conduct projects and activities to improve the products and services of the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) including forecast tool development, application testing, and verification and validation of forecasting success.

The duties described are at the full performance level of the GS-12 grade; the duties at the GS-09 and GS-11 are developmental leading to the GS-12 level.

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.

This position requires a Public Trust Security Clearance.

* A one year probationary period may be required.

* Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

* This position is 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.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This position requires the selectee to work rotating shifts.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Routine duties require meeting tight deadlines. During periods of high solar activity or rapidly changing space weather conditions the increase in workload and the necessity for rapid dissemination of weather warnings and updates requires periods of acute mental alertness and produces considerable mental stress.

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:

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

A. Degree: 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.

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 GS-09:

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-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: 

• Assisting in the preparation and issuance of alerts and warnings for hazardous weather conditions.

OR Master’s Degree or equivalent graduate degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics or other related discipline or 2 years of progressively higher graduate level education leading to such a degree.

OR A combination of education and experience.

To qualify at the GS-11:

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-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: 

• Preparing and issuing forecasts and warnings for hazardous weather or space weather conditions;
• Conducting weather or space weather watch involving interpreting ground-based or satellite data; and
• Providing weather or space weather advice and guidance.

OR Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in physical science, engineering, mathematics, or oceanography, meteorology, or other related discipline or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

OR A combination of education and experience.

To qualify at the GS-12:

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-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: 

• Preparing and issuing alerts and warnings for hazardous space weather conditions;
• Conducting space weather watch involving interpreting ground-based or satellite data; and
• Providing forecast and space weather briefings.

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:

ALL GRADES:

• Knowledge of operational and applied space weather.
• Ability to provide space weather advice and guidance.

GS-09 ONLY:

• Ability to collect meteorological, hydrologic and climatic data.

GS-11 ONLY:

• Ability to utilize ground-based and satellite data to gather and interpret meteorological, hydrologic and climatic data

GS-12 ONLY:

• Ability to utilize ground-based and satellite data to gather and interpret meteorological, hydrologic and climatic data.
• Ability to incorporate the latest technological advances into an operational space weather forecast and warning program.

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.