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Supervisory Fish Biologist ZP-0482-04 (MAP)

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

Summary

This position is located in the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), and Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIC), Honolulu, Hawaii.

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-04 is equivalent to the GS-13/14.

The full performance level of this position is ZP-04.

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is paid for locations in Hawaii. COLA is exempt from Federal income taxes. The COLA is not reflected in the locality salary shown in this vacancy announcement.

This position is also announced under vacancy number NMFS-PIC-2017-0051, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

* A one year supervisory probationary period may be required.

* Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

* This position is not in the bargaining unit.

NOTES: This vacancy may be used to fill other Supervisory Fish Biologist, ZP-0482-04 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g.: within the same geographic locations, same grade/band requires the same qualifications as indicated in this vacancy announcement).

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/02/2017 to 10/16/2017
Salary
$87,949 to - $139,163 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Honolulu, HI
1 vacancy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Approximately 10% of Domestic and Foreign travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time / Career or Career-Conditional
Service
Promotion potential
4
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Announcement number
NMFS-PIC-2017-0050
Control number
480952600

This job is open to

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Duties

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The individual selected for this position will:

  • Exercise the full supervisory authority and perform full range of supervisory functions at least 25% of the time including: assigning and reviewing work; ensuring work products meet technical requirements and support mission objectives; evaluating work performance of subordinates; developing performance standards; giving advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters; making decisions on work problems; making selections for subordinate positions and applying Merit Systems Principles; hearing and resolving grievances or employee complaints; reviewing and approving disciplinary actions (e.g. suspensions) involving nonsupervisory subordinates; and identifying training needs.
  • Manage a comprehensive scientific research program which focuses life history research of a suite of managed marine resource species representing a range of tropical fisheries from open ocean, deep-water demersal, and coral reef habitats.
  • Write and review technical and scientific reports for publication; Communicates agency’s programs, projects, mission, and represents agency’s policy to other professional or non-professional groups, organizations, and agencies.
  • Provide technical supervision, training and guidance in the lab and at sea on the life history of marine species in cooperation/collaboration with other scientists and/or stakeholders.

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).
  • Time-in-grade/band must be met by closing date of 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.

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: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

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

EDUCATION:

Degree: major in biological science that included:

  • At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and
  • At least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.)
OR

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown above, 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-04:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-03 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Leading a scientific research program which focuses on life history research of pacific marine species.
  • Providing supervision, guidance, training in the lab and at sea on life history of marine species in coordination with other scientists and/or stakeholders.
  • Communicating scientific research findings and information to internal and external stakeholders.

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible 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 CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/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). 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:

  • Skill in serving in a supervisory capacity for a scientific organization, program, or division.
  • Skill in researching life histories of fishes.
  • Knowledge of statistical and research methods theories and/or principles.
  • Knowledge of the life history and ecology of Pacific marine species.
  • Ability to communicate scientific research findings and information both orally and in writing to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to provide national and international coordination for research that supports the conservation and management of tropical Pacific fisheries.
  • Skill in communicating technical information to scientific and lay audiences.
  • Skill in data analysis.
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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