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Interdisciplinary Supervisory Environmental Scientist/Physical Scientist, ZP-0401/1301-5 (DE/CR)

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

Summary

This position is located in the National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Stressor Detection and Impacts Division with one vacancy in Silver Spring, MD.

This position is also announced under vacancy number NOS-NCCOS-2018-0030, 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
08/20/2018 to 09/04/2018
Salary
$134,789 to - $164,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 5
Location
Silver Spring, MD
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Up to 25% of domestic travel may be required for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Payment of relocation expenses is authorized.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time - Career Conditional/Career
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
5
Supervisory status
Yes
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NOS-NCCOS-2018-0031
Control number
508423500

Duties

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The selected individual will serve as the Chief of the NCCOS Stressor Detection and Impacts Division. NCCOS's mission is to deliver ecosystem science solutions for the stewardship of the nation's ocean and coastal resources to sustain thriving coastal communities and economies.

As an Interdisciplinary Supervisory Environmental Scientist/Supervisory Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties:

  • Serve as the Chief of the Stressor Detection and Impacts Division, responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing a full range of administration and management operations and services.
  • Provide leadership and direction for the formulation, design, and execution of research studies and projects that address coastal environment issues and processes and the health of associated ecosystems.
  • Perform supervisory functions over the Division’s multidisciplinary staff.
  • Oversee the planning, development, and execution of the Division budget and perform acquisition responsibilities for contracts and interagency agreements.

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 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.

NOTE:
* A one year supervisory probationary period may be required.

* Payment of relocation expenses is authorized.

* This position is not in the bargaining unit.

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: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position may be filled in either of the below series (0401 or 1301). Each series requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience or a substitution of education for experience in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:

To qualify for the 1301 series:

A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

- OR -

To qualify for the 0401 series:

A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting one of 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:

  • Planning and executing research on coastal environments and processes and the stressors/factors (e.g., harmful algal blooms, chemical contaminants, nutrients, pathogens) that affect the health of associated ecosystems/communities;
  • Developing and executing a program budget and performing acquisition duties associated with contracts, or agreements; and
  • Performing supervisory functions, such as assigning and reviewing work, evaluating employee performance, addressing employee grievances, and advising on the conduct of their duties.

Education

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

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 Silver (Well Qualified).  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:

  • Ability to plan, arrange, and execute specified goals and meet established milestones and criteria.

  • Knowledge in coastal environment issues and processes and the health of associated ecosystems.

  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

  • Ability to exercise leadership through guiding and motivating others and communicating effectively in order to achieve organizational goals.

  • Knowledge of budget regulations, policies, and processes.

  • Knowledge of acquisition regulations, policies, and processes as applied to contracts and/or agreements.


To preview questions please click here.

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