As a Biological Science Technician, you will perform the following duties:

• Provide technician support for data collection and research surveys via at-sea research vessels, scuba operations, and shore-based field research.
• Develop procedures and practices for the general maintenance, storage, inventory and procurement of project-specific equipment that are used in the laboratory or field.
• Coordinate and collaborate with field party chief and vessel operators to aid decisions that impact proper execution of sampling protocols due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Conduct standardized quality control auditing procedures, develop summarized results for seasonal research cruise data reports, and provide research data for PIFSC internal and external data requests.

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

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 requires a Low Risk Security Clearance.

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 ZT-2 is equivalent to the GS-05/06/07/08; however is only being advertised equivalent to the GS-05 grade level.

The ZT-3 is equivalent to the GS-09/10.

The full performance level of this position is ZT-3.

*A one year probationary period may be required.

*Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

*This position is not in the bargaining unit.

NOTES:
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Biological Science Technician, ZT-0404-2/3 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).

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.

Condition of Employment:

Incumbent must be able to operate a Federal motor vehicle to stage and de-stage equipment and supplies for research cruises.

Incumbent may be required to obtain scientific dive certification, small boat coxswain certification, or other specialized requirements for meeting survey needs.

Physical Requirement:

Incumbent must be able to work regularly at-sea on deck for up to 12 hours and lift up to 50 lbs.

Incumbent must be able to perform prolong walking and standing, climbing stairs and rope ladders, and donning survival suits.

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 ZT-2 or GS-05 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZT-1 or GS-04 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Participating in laboratory, at-sea, or field operations focused on marine living resources; and
• Assisting with the maintenance and storage of scientific equipment.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians.

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above. Note: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours or 2 full years of academic study) of a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree is credible toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify at the ZT-3 or GS-09 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZT-2 or GS-08 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Participating in the identification and collection of data of fish, corals, plankton species, marine mammals, cetaceans, or protected species relevant to the Pacific Ocean (e.g. Hawaiian Monk Seals and sea turtles, using technical equipment); 
• Participating in the development of procedures and practices related to project-specific equipment used in the laboratory or field; 
• Contributing to biological technical support.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree.

-OR-

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

NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of one year is qualifying for combination.

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:

ZT-2 Pay Band Only:

• Ability to assist with biological technical support for researching cruises.
• Ability to assist in the use of technical equipment for research operations.

ZT-3 Pay Band Only:

• Ability to provide biological technical support for researching cruises.
• Ability to develop procedures for general maintenance of technical equipment.
• Ability to communicate technical information in person.

Both Pay Bands:

• Knowledge of fish, corals, plankton species, marine mammals, cetaceans, and protected species relevant to the Pacific Ocean (e.g. Hawaiian Monk Seals and sea turtles).
• Ability to use Microsoft Excel, Oracle and SQL to provide data and research results.