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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).
- Time-in-grade/band 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-05/07/08.
The ZT-3 is equivalent to the GS-09/10.
* A one year probationary period may be required.
* Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
* This position is not in the bargaining unit.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: This position has a physical requirement. Must be able to lift 50 lbs while on a small boat operating in light chop.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. Incumbent must possess a valid driver’s license to drive a federal motor vehicle on a regular and recurring basis. Must be able to obtain, and maintain, a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for the purpose of towing the survey launch.
- Up to 60% travel required in support of field operations, depending on survey priorities.
- Mobility agreement required.
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: 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: Applicants must possess 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:
- Conducting shallow water hydrographic field surveys to update nautical charts and providing rapid response to navigational emergencies;
- Acquiring, processing and analyzing hydrographic surveying data;
- Installing, integrating, calibrating and operating hydrographic survey equipment; and
- Drafting technical documents including hydrographic survey reports.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of physical science, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics.
- OR -
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An equivalent combination of education and specialized experience as described above.
- OR -
To qualify at the ZT-3 or GS-09 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess 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:
- Carrying out, monitoring and coordinating shallow water hydrographic field surveys and providing rapid response to navigational emergencies;
- Effecting the acquisition, processing and analyzing of hydrographic survey data; and
- Developing technical documents including hydrographic survey reports and routine standard operating procedures.
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 procedures used in conducting emergency response surveys.
- Ability to ensure and maintain small boat vessels and equipment meet safety standards.
- Ability to analyze and interpret hydrographic survey results.
ZT-2:
- Ability to provide assistance in all aspects of shallow water hydrographic survey field operations.
- Ability to assist with installation, maintenance, and operation of hydrographic survey equipment.
- Ability to process hydrographic survey data and analysis; and identify, document and report data quality issues and/or equipment malfunctions, and troubleshoot issues.
- Ability to draft and edit hydrographic survey reports and operating procedures.
- Ability to create routine geospatial information products to disseminate survey information.
ZT-3:
- Ability to oversee and conduct shallow water hydrographic survey field operations.
- Ability to install, integrate, calibrate and operate hydrographic survey equipment.
- Ability to identify, document and correct data quality issues, equipment malfunctions, operational and survey deficiencies.
- Ability to identify and recommend improvements to standard operating procedures and processes.
- Ability to develop, present and disseminate hydrographic survey reports, geospatial survey information and standard operating procedures.
- Ability to conduct training in safety, vessel operations, and survey procedures.
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.
To preview questions please click here.
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