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Pathways Recent Graduate, Cartographer, ZP-1370-2/3 (GRAD)

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

Summary

This is a re-advertisement of NOS-NGS-2019-0010. You must apply to this announcement to be considered for this vacancy.

This position is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Geodetic Survey (NGS) with two vacancies in Norfolk, VA.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/05/2019 to 09/20/2019
Salary
$42,140 to - $97,179 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 2 - 3
Location
Norfolk, VA
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - Up to 50% of domestic and foreign travel may be required for this position for meetings, site visits, and responding to incidents.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent Graduates
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
3 - If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you may be non-competitively promoted if you perform successfully and if recommended by management.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NOS-NGS-2019-0013
Control number
544415800

Duties

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As a Cartographer, you will perform the following duties:

  • Perform field work on geodetic surveying projects including research, reconnaissance and recovery.
  • Operate a variety of GPS and classical surveying instruments, and test surveying equipment and software to understand proper use communicating results.
  • Perform data reductions and process various forms of surveying data with a variety of software.
  • Interpret and apply multiple forms of cartographic and mapping data to various geodetic control projects or studies, and evaluate survey results to ensure compliance with data and/or project instructions and survey specifications.

These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-3; the ZP-2 is developmental leading to such performance.

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)
  • Must sign a Pathways Programs Participant Agreement.
  • A minimum one year trial period will be required.

This position requires a Public Trust Security Clearance.

This position is being recruited with an opportunity for non-competitive conversion eligibility to a permanent OR term position upon completion of all Recent Graduate program requirements. Conversion is not mandatory nor guaranteed (see Other Information).

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-2 is equivalent to the GS-09/10. The ZP-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12.

* Applicants will be on a trial period for the duration of the appointment.

* Relocation/Moving expenses will not be authorized.

* Student Loan Repayment will not be authorized.

* This position is not in the bargaining unit.

NOTE:

This vacancy may be used to fill other Cartographer, ZP-1370-2/3 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g.: the same qualifications and eligibility requirements as indicated in this vacancy announcement).

Condition 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.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to carry 30lbs or more; carrying such items as batteries, sandbags and other related equipment needed to perform general duties. Work may include standing or walking for long periods of time when assigned to field projects.

College Transcript:  Applicants must submit a copy of their college transcript that lists college courses, course title, and number of credit hours. If you have a future graduation date, you must provide a letter from the school registrars's office that includes the name of the student/applicant, the name of the school, and verification of your anticipated graduation date. The transcripts or letter must indicate that the degree has been conferred.  You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process, but an official certified copy must be received before you can report to duty.

Qualifying Education Institution: Any of the following educational institutions or curricula that have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

Qualifications

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.

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 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: 

A. Degree: cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such course work includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites).

OR

B. Combination of education an experience: courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.


AND

To qualify at the ZP-2 or GS-09 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-2 or GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Assisting in conducting geodetic surveys, processing and analyzing survey data and results;
  • Operating GPS and leveling instruments/equipment in accordance with accepted scientific research practices, methods and data specifications with minimal supervision;
  • Preparing data for data reduction to transform survey information into a corrected, ordered and simplified form; and
  • Assisting in verifying completeness and accuracy of survey data.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above.

NOTE: Only graduate-level education in excess of 1 year is qualifying for combination of education and experience.

To qualify at the ZP-3 of GS-11 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-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Conducting geodetic surveys, processing and analyzing survey data and results;
  • Operating GPS/GNSS (static and real-time) and all classical surveying instruments/equipment in accordance with accepted scientific research practices, methods and data specifications with no supervision;
  • Interpreting and assimilating data transcribed from cartographic and mapping data;
  • Verifying completeness and accuracy of survey data; and
  • Performing data reduction and processing for various forms of surveying data with a variety of software common to the surveying field.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above.

NOTE: Only graduate-level education in excess of 2 years is qualifying for combination of education and experience.

Additional information

PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION: Upon completion of the minimum 1-year career development program, Program participants may, at agency discretion, be non-competitively converted without a break in service, to a career or career conditional appointment. There is no guarantee for conversion.

To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must:

  • Successfully complete the developmental minimum one year period indentified.
  • Demonstrate successful job performance.
  • Meet the Office of Personnel Management’s qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.
  • Complete 40 hours of formal interactive training within developmental period.
  • Sign a Pathways Programs Participant Agreement upon appointment.
  • Meet established goals outlined in the Recent Graduate’s Individual Development Plan (IDP).
  • Recommended by supervisor/manager for conversion to permanent OR term position.

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.

Your resume, supporting documents and responses to the online questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements. Veterans’ preference applies to all selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with CFR, Part 302.

ALL GRADES:

  • Ability to plan and conduct field geodetic surveys.
  • Knowledge of methods and practices associated with performing field survey reconnaissance and recovery.
  • Ability to operate GPS and classical survey instruments.
  • Ability to test survey equipment and software.
  • Ability to plan and prepare data for data reduction.
  • Knowledge of software used to support collection of survey data and facilitate comprehensive analyses.

ZP-2: 

  • Ability to analyze survey data and present feedback and results.
  • Knowledge of quality assurance practices to ensure survey data integrity.

ZP-3:

  • Ability to interpret and apply multiple forms of cartographic and mapping data to geodetic control projects.
  • Ability to evaluate survey results to ensure compliance with data and project specifications.

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