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Supervisory Research Physicist, ZP-1310-5 (Direct Hire)

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

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Earth System Research Laboratories (ESRL), Chemical Sciences Division (CSD), with one vacancy in Boulder, CO.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Posted 07/22/21
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$140,428 - $172,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 5
Promotion potential
5
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Up to 15% of domestic or foreign travel may be required for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
OAR-ESRL-2021-0005
Control number
608454900

Duties

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

  • Perform measurements of trace gases and aerosols from and in airborne platforms and laboratories. Design, build and use new instrumentation for atmospheric species while improving the performance of existing instrumentation. Initiate, lead and participate in field measurement activities involving Earth System Research Laboratories - Chemical Sciences Laboratory and other institutions that focus on the investigation of atmospheric processes and their composition in the troposphere and stratosphere. Utilize ground-based or airborne platforms.
  • Analyze and interpret atmospheric measurements and prepare results for peer-reviewed publications and other written and verbal summaries. Address issues relating to the science of climate, air quality and stratospheric ozone depletion that are relevant to decision-making in public policy forums.
  • Participate in scientific and programmatic discussions involving future directions in atmospheric research to help ensure that strategic research goals of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Earth System Research Laboratories - Chemical Sciences Laboratory are met. Interact with stakeholders, academia and external institutions to form collaborative and cooperative efforts in the research of atmospheric processes and composition.
  • Develop performance standards to increase productivity and efficiency and evaluate employee work performance. Plan and distribute work while adjusting short and long term priorities in scheduling. Handle employee grievances, performance evaluations, and identify training needs.

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 requires a Moderate 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 ZP-5 is equivalent to the GS-15.

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

* A three year probationary period may be required.

* A one year supervisory probationary period may be required.

* Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

* This position is not in the bargaining unit.

NOTE:

*This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Supervisory Research Physicist, ZP-1310-5 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.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

To qualify for the 1310 series:

EDUCATION:

A. Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, 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-5 or GS-15 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-4 or GS-14 in the Federal service. Specialized experience must include ALL of the following:

  • Developing instrumentation for use in field research on the investigation of atmospheric processes, trace gases, or aerosols;
  • Analyzing research data to support efforts in policy-making on issues relating to the science of climate, air quality, or stratospheric ozone depletion; and
  • Collaborating on the execution of supervisory functions such as developing performance standards, adjusting project priorities, or providing guidance on administrative and organizational procedures.

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 three 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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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency within the US Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere. NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts seas, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources, and conducts research to provide understanding and improve stewardship of the environment.

Watch the following video for more about NOAA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBBnYBiY1rc

Agency contact information

Eric Hoyt
Phone
703-436-2381
Email
eric.hoyt@noaa.gov
Address
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Office of Human Capital Services
1305 East West Highway
Room 1713
Silver Spring, Missouri 20910
United States

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