Clarification from the agency

All qualified United States Citizens or Nationals; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles.

As a Fishery Management Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Respond to inquiries from the fishing industry, fishery stakeholders, constituents, and the public regarding fishery management and fishing regulations by preparing permit holder letters and other written communications.
• Contact staff, supervisors, and senior management in a timely manner of events, issues, and problems associated with a fishery management plan and/or regulatory implementation, and convene meetings to discuss and troubleshoot common issues and make policy amendment recommendations.
• Review requests for scientific research and exempted fishing permits to ensure the application is complete, and prepare regulatory research permit packages in the required timeframe and in accordance with accepted standards and procedures.
• Coordinate quota monitoring with other NMFS staff, and interpret and analyze fishery policies, issues, and regulations ensuring adherence to the Federal guidelines such as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and/or the National Environmental Policy Act, and other applicable laws.

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-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12.

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

* Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

* This position is not in the bargaining unit.

* This position requires a Low Risk Security Clearance.

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.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle to travel to various sites to attend meetings in support of fishery management programs with other NMFS staff, stakeholders, Regional Fishery Management Councils, and/or other management partners. The incumbent must obtain and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license, as there is no public transportation available.

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:  

To qualify for 0401 series:

This position requires applicants to meet the Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:

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.

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-3 or GS-11:

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:

• Drafting responses to inquiries regarding fishery management regulations, programs, or policies;
• Supporting the development, implementation, and administration of fishery management programs; and
• Providing policy guidance on fishery management plans and fishing permits ensuring compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, National Environmental Policy Act, or the Endangered Species Act.

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 listed above.

Note: Only graduate education in excess of two years is qualifying for combination.

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 one 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.