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Supervisory Research Physical Scientist

Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) with one vacancy in Boulder, Colorado.


Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/18/2024 to 04/01/2024
Salary
$159,806 to - $191,900 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 5
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Boulder, CO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel domestic for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
OAR PSL-24-12349643-DHA
Control number
781955300

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Duties

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As a Supervisory Research Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties:

  • Conceive, plan, coordinate and execute an integrated research program that advances the Physical Sciences Laboratory's mission in support of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) forecast capabilities through the application of advanced modeling, data assimilation, ensemble techniques and diagnostic tool development. Oversee the transition of these research and development advancements into NOAA operations, primarily through the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Develop and execute annual plans and report research milestones and research to application transitions.
  • Formulate, plan, and conduct original work that advances forecasting system science in some or all of the following areas: research to improve the representation of physical processes in forecast systems, research to improve data assimilation algorithms for initializing ensemble forecasts of the coupled earth system, research to advance the generation of re-analyses, and research utilizing emerging machine learning techniques to improve predictions.
  • Support NOAA strategic goals, planning, execution, evaluations and other organizational activities. Responsible for providing a high degree of responsiveness to organizational leadership, the public, and internal and external partners. Contribute as an active member of the national and international scientific community through professional society service activities and through the organization of, and participation in, weather and climate conferences, workshops, etc., to identify end-user-based research and operational requirements.
  • Provide the full range of supervisory functions to include planning and distributing work to be accomplished by a group of professional research scientists and Cooperative Institutes. Approve leave requests and time & attendance. Set and adjust short and long-term priorities and prepare schedules for the completion of work while finding ways to enhance productivity and quality of work. Establish performance standards, fully complete the evaluation process, addressing poor performance as required.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel Systems (CAPS). This system replace 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.

Key Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  3. *A one year supervisory probationary period may be required.
  4. *A three year probationary period may be required. *These periods can be served concurrent.
  5. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
  6. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (ww.sss.gov)
  7. This position is not in the bargaining unit.
  8. Payment of relocation incentives OR recruitment incentives may be authorized. Note: Relocation incentives are for current federal employees only.
  • 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.

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.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

To qualify for the 1301 series:

Education:

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.

AND

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-5 or GS-15 level:

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:

  • Collaborating in the planning and execution of research that advances weather or climate forecasting capabilities through the application of advanced modeling, data assimilation, ensemble techniques or diagnostic tool development;
  • Providing recommendations to management and stakeholders on forecast system improvements; and
  • Leading or managing a team to include developing performance standards, evaluating work performance, and providing oversight and feedback.

Education

Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation

Additional information

Other 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 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/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 uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

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.

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 three 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.

--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/12349643

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