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Meteorological Technician

Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service, Pacific Region, Weather Service Office
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), Pacific Region (PR), Weather Service Office (WSO), with one vacancy in Pago Pago, AS.

This position is also announced under vacancy number NWS PR AS-23-12056641-ST, 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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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/17/2023 to 08/30/2023
Salary
$37,696 to - $81,771 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 10
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Pago Pago, AS
Remote job
No
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
10
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NWS PR AS-23-12056642-DE
Control number
743640600

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Clarification from the agency

Open to the public

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Duties

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As a Meteorological Technician, you will perform the following duties:

  • Performs technical work in support of weather forecasting, observations, research, climatology, and/or other areas of meteorology. Participates in forecast and service programs, local studies and developmental projects to incorporate new scientific and technological capabilities. Assists in the acquisition, management and quality control of weather data. Participates in verification studies.
  • Performs stakeholder engagement activities and provides advice and guidance. Assists in fostering improved service through interaction with users and special interest groups. Provides weather advice and guidance to a different groups and interests.
Note: The duties described are at the full performance level of the GS-10 grade; the duties at the GS-05, GS-06, GS-07, GS-08, and GS-09 are developmental leading to the GS-10 level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

*A one year probationary period may be required.
*Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
*This position is in the bargaining unit.This position is covered by (1538).

Must be able to read, write, and speak the Samoan language and the English language fluently.

Key Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  2. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
  3. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
  • A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
  • Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is primarily sedentary and is usually performed in a rotating shift environment. Period of heightened office activity can be stressful and can result in extended work hours without rest.

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: There is no positive education requirement for this position.

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 for the GS-05 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Assisting in verifying meteorological observation data; and
  • Participating in preparing climatological tabulations and maintaining associated records.
OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above. Note: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the GS-06 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Measuring meteorological phenomena with scientific equipment and instrumentation; and
  • Observing and recording atmospheric characteristics, i.e., temperature, air movement, visibility pressure, air density, and cloud types.
OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successfully completed a half a year of graduate level education leading to a Masters degree with major study in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science or at least 9 semester hours in any combination of courses in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above. Note: Only education in excess a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the GS-07 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Measuring meteorological phenomena with scientific equipment and instrumentation;
  • Observing and recording atmospheric characteristics such as temperature, air movement, visibility pressure, air density, and cloud types; and
  • Participating in identifying user requirements for meteorological data.
OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successfully completed a year of graduate level education leading to a Masters degree with major study in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science or at least 18 semester hours in any combination of courses in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above. Note: Only education in excess of the first 9 graduate hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the GS-08 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Participating in performing weather observations to record and disseminate meteorological data;
  • Participating in evaluating the accuracy and quality of meteorological data; and
  • Assisting in reviewing requests for meteorological data and responding to questions.
OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successfully completed a 1 and a half years of graduate level education leading to a Masters degree with major study in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science or at least 27 semester hours in any combination of courses in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science.

ORCOMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above. Note: Only education in excess of the first 18 graduate hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the GS-09 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Participating in performing weather observations to record and disseminate meteorological data;
  • Assisting in evaluating the accuracy and quality of meteorological and atmospheric data; and
  • Assisting in preparing briefings, warnings or advisories for severe weather events.
OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successfully completed 2 years of graduate level education leading to a Masters degree with major study in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science or at least 36 semester hours in any combination of courses in meteorology, mathematics, engineering, or physical science.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above. Note: Only education in excess of the first 27 graduate hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the GS-010 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Contributing to preparing weather forecasts utilizing collected meteorological data;
  • Participating in improving weather forecast services through interacting with stakeholders and users; and
  • Assisting in issuing weather watches, warnings, or advisories to customers for severe weather events

Education

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.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority 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 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.

The Department of the Commerce (DOC) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

How you will be evaluated

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

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. The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

  • Meteorology
  • Stakeholder Management


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.

Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Gold, Silver, and Bronze. You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you are eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible and/or not qualified.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12056642

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