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Policy Analyst, ZA-0301-4 (DE/CR)

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

Summary

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), Pacific Island Region (PIR) with one vacancy in Honolulu, HI, Hilo, HI, or Kihei, HI.

This position is also announced under vacancy number NOS-ONMS-2021-0022, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/14/2021 to 09/27/2021
Salary
$95,012 - $145,955 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZA 4
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Hilo, HI
Honolulu, HI
Kihei, HI
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Up to 15% of domestic travel may be required for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
4
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NOS-ONMS-2021-0023
Control number
613846000

Duties

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As a Policy Analyst, you will perform the following duties:

  • Conduct analysis of policy documents and review for impact on mission and objectives and identify concerns or areas of additional discussion. Utilize results of analyses provide recommendation and/or develop implementation plans (e.g. management plans, analyses required under the National Environmental Policy Act) that serve to improve overall mission effectiveness.
  • Track, identify and clarify current policy issues, and evaluate and synthesize options for resource protection, conservation science, Pacific Island cultural heritage resource management; and examine the consequences and impacts of adopting policies and legislation for the program.
  • Serve as expert advisor to the Regional Director on opportunities for programmatic advancement and maturation, internal Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) history, analysis of other organizations, and proactive participation in training or other learning opportunities.
  • Establish new, or strengthen existing partnerships with key constituents on policy priorities and matters of shared interest. Ensure close cooperation and coordination on management priorities within ONMS, and with key partners (e.g. co-managers, other Federal, state, and local agencies, and native communities within the region).

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 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 ZA-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14.  

* 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 Policy Analyst, ZA-0301-4 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:   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 ZA-4 or GS-13 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Performing policy analysis and contributing to the development of recommendations on issues relating to two or more of following subjects: resource protection, conservation science, Pacific Island cultural heritage resource management, or cultural heritage resource management; and
  • Collaborating with multiple parties and interests within an organization to develop and write policy and procedural guidance.

Education

Substitution of education for specialized experience is not applicable to this vacancy.

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.  Information about 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.  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:

  • Knowledge of data gathering and analytical techniques, data evaluation, and established reporting methodology.
  • Ability to conduct studies and analyses to support and assist in the development of policies, regulations and external communications.
  • Knowledge of current policy issues and options relating to resource protection, conservation science, Pacific Island cultural heritage resource management.
  • Ability to analyze and recommend initiatives or actions to senior leadership that support the timely and effective development and implementation of priority programmatic objectives.
  • Ability to coordinate projects and information for a team.
  • Ability to prepare and provide information, recommendations and/or briefing material for use in program negotiations, organizational planning and discussions on policies, legislation, laws and administrative actions that impact subjects related to program/project objectives, climate change, and engagement with native and indigenous communities.
  • Ability to form and maintain collaborative relationships that foster cooperation for shared goals and shared information.

To preview questions please click here.

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

Click here to learn more about the National Ocean Service - https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/about/diversity.html

Agency contact information

Arthi Chandrasekaran
Phone
703-496-4023
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
arthi.chandrasekaran@noaa.gov
Address
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Office of Human Capital Services
1305 East West Highway
12th Floor
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
United States

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