Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens

The Scientific Program Director has overall responsibility for developing and managing the Marine Mammal Commission's program of research; coordinating Commission research projects with relevant research projects of other agencies and organizations; collecting and evaluating materials related to the systematics, status, conservation, and ecology of marine mammals; reviewing and evaluating reports and documents to ensure the incorporation of an ecosystem approach; the annual compiling of a summary of all national marine mammal research activities; developing comments and recommendations to other agencies on the potential impact of federal activities upon marine mammals; and making known, through lectures and less formal briefings, the scientific thrust of the Commission's work both domestically and internationally. Typical work assignments will include:

• Manages Marine Mammal Commission research program
• Develops annual and long-range scientific plans and budgets for the Marine Mammal Commission research program
• Oversees the Commission's annual research grant program and survey of federally funded research
• Represents the Commission on appropriate domestic and international scientific committees
• Reviews and evaluates reports and documents including environmental impact statements and marine mammal stock assessments so as to clearly incorporate the best available science into marine mammal management and policies.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.
• You must successfully complete a background investigation.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic AND Specialized Experience requirements as noted below.

Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the items listed below (A or B):

A. Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position from an accredited college or university. Note: You must submit transcripts (unofficial or official) to support your claim.

B. Possess a combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Note: You must submit transcripts (unofficial or official) to support your claim.

AND

Specialized Experience:
GS-14: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following:

• Representing an organization on domestic or international scientific issues or committees;
• Developing guidelines for and administering a scientific research grants program;
• Supervising employees according to federal employment regulations and policies; and
• Identifying and addressing scientific and policy issues related to marine mammals and marine conservation.

GS-15: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following:

• Representing an organization on domestic or international scientific issues or committees;
• Developing guidelines for and administering a scientific research grants program;
• Reviewing environmental impact statements to incorporate the best available science relative to marine mammals;
• Supervising and hiring employees according to federal employment regulations and policies;
• Evaluating marine mammal stocks in accordance with section 117 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act; and
• Identifying and addressing scientific and policy issues related to marine mammals and marine conservation.

Note: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found eligible and qualified for this vacancy. To be eligible and qualified, you must satisfy all eligibility and qualification requirements for the vacant position as outlined in this announcement. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found eligible and qualified for this vacancy. To be eligible and qualified, you must satisfy all eligibility and qualification requirements for the vacant position as outlined in this announcement. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume and all supporting documentation you submit, to include your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire (when utilized), will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you rate yourself higher than what is supported by the documentation you submit, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, you will be referred to the selecting official. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, category rating and veterans' preference do not apply; therefore, your responses to the assessment questionnaire (when utilized) will not be used to determine a scored rating. Instead, all applicants that are determined to meet minimum qualifications, as defined by this vacancy announcement, will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

In some cases with Direct Hire, if you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use a job questionnaire to further evaluate your experience, education, and training. If utilized, the competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job will be listed below:



Qualified, eligible CTAP and ICTAP applicants will be referred to the selecting official under the selection priority placement program. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire. If after review of the information supported by your application materials does not substantiate a qualifying rating, you may be excluded from consideration for this job.