Photographer (Scientific-Technical)

Clarification from the agency

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration.

At the full performance GS-12 grade level, you will:

• Perform specialized medical and scientific photography using professional cameras, lenses, lighting, magnification, and imaging techniques to accurately document patients, specimens, procedures, research activities, and scientific findings.

• Plan and coordinate photographic coverage of medical and scientific projects, consulting with physicians, scientists, researchers, and other professional staff to understand project objectives and determine appropriate photographic approaches.

• Perform patient and clinical photography to document anatomical and pathological conditions, medical and surgical procedures, and other medically relevant subject matter in support of clinical research and patient care.

• Perform specialized close-up and magnified photography of biological and scientific subject matter, including specimens, tissue, microorganisms, experimental procedures, and other research subjects.

• Select and adapt photographic equipment and techniques based on subject matter, environmental conditions, scientific objectives, and desired results, including determining appropriate cameras, lenses, magnification, lighting, exposure, and image-capture methods.

• Develop solutions to challenging imaging requirements by adapting equipment and lighting techniques to improve image quality and accurately capture subtle, difficult-to-document, or scientifically significant details.

• Process, enhance, manage, and deliver digital images using professional imaging software and appropriate file formats and workflows.

• Provide technical consultation and photographic support to physicians, scientists, researchers, and other customers regarding photographic techniques, visual documentation, image design, file formats, and effective approaches for communicating medical or scientific information.

If selected at the GS-11 level, you will essentially perform the same duties as those at the full performance level described above; however, duties are less complex and will be performed under closer supervision with more detailed guidance.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• Requires long periods of standing; walking or climbing stairs; recurring bending, crouching, or stretching; and recurring lifting of lightweight to moderately heavy equipment and materials.
• Requires moderate risks or discomforts of being exposed to irritant chemicals or infectious diseases. The work may require special safety precautions and the use of protective clothing or gear.
• If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-11 level if you meet the following qualification requirement:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Using photographic equipment, lenses, lighting, exposure settings, and other photographic techniques to accurately document medical or scientific subjects, procedures, specimens, research activities, or findings; 2) Performing medical photography involving patients, anatomical or pathological conditions, medical procedures, specimens, or other medically relevant subject matter in clinical, research, field, telehealth, or other medical setting; 3) Applying knowledge of anatomy and medical terminology to understand photographic requirements and communicate effectively with physicians, scientists, researchers, or other customers; 4) Applying established photographic and imaging techniques to address technical requirements or imaging problems, such as improving contrast, controlling reflections or shadows, maintaining appropriate color or scale, or capturing subtle or difficult-to-document details; 5) Providing photographic and digital imaging support to physicians, scientists, researchers, or other professional staff for medical, scientific, research, documentation, or educational purposes.

You qualify at the GS-12 level if you meet the following qualification requirement:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Determining technical approaches for specialized medical or scientific photography, including selecting photographic methods, equipment, lenses, magnification, lighting, exposure, and other technical requirements needed to accurately document subjects, procedures, specimens, research activities, or findings; 2) Performing specialized medical or clinical photography involving anatomical or pathological conditions, surgical or clinical procedures, gross specimens, or other medically relevant subject matter; 3) Performing specialized medical or scientific photography to accurately document subtle, difficult-to-capture, or scientifically significant details, using techniques such as macrophotography, photomicroscopy, specialized lighting, magnification, or other advanced photographic or imaging techniques; 4) Developing, modifying, or adapting photographic techniques to solve complex or unusual imaging problems, including selecting, modifying, or adapting specialized cameras, lenses, filters, microscopes or macroscopes, light sources, or photographic processes; 5) Providing technical consultation and advice to physicians, scientists, researchers, customers, photographers, or other professional staff regarding photographic techniques, visual presentation, and documentation of scientific or medical projects.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13084945

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 based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses to the assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:

• Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
• Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
• Qualified - for those who meet the minimum qualification requirements

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

How You Will Be Evaluated
To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 80 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

Required for All Applicants

RESUME:
Your resume must clearly demonstrate, in two pages or less, how your skills and experiences align with the "Qualifications" section and support your questionnaire responses. While cover letters provided with your application will be shared with hiring officials, they will not be used for initial qualification determinations. We cannot assume required experience based on your work or academic history. If your resume exceeds two pages, only the first two will be reviewed.

Use a legible font such as Lato, Calibri, Helvetica, or Arial, with 0.5-inch margins. Suggested formatting: 14-point for titles and 10-point for body text.
You may use the USAJOBS Resume Builder or upload your own resume. If uploading, ensure it includes all required information and is organized so we can match the following to each position:

1. Job title
2. Employer name
3. Employment dates (MM/DD/YYYY)
4. Hours worked per week (full-time assumed; part-time prorated)
5. Detailed duties, accomplishments, skills, responsibilities, and supervisory details (if applicable)
6. Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)

If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you must list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume.

Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

For resume writing guidance, please visit the following resources: NIH Help Applying, USAJOBS Resource Center, and the USAJOBS Resume Guidance. If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you need to list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS
To claim veterans' preference, career transition selection priority, Schedule A or military spouse eligibility, you must provide the documentation listed below AND respond accordingly to the associated question on the online questionnaire.

• Veterans' preference (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): Reference Standard Form 15 (SF-15) for required documentation for 10 point claims. Submission of SF-15 is not required, unless you are claiming derived preference (XP) as described in questions 7, 8, or 9 on the SF-15. In those cases, you must submit a completed SF-15 and the required documentation. For 5 point claims, you must submit your DD-214 (if separated) or any written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
• Visit our sites on Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) for more information and required documentation.
• Visit our site on the Appointment of Certain Military Spouses for more information and required documentation to verify eligibility.
• Schedule A Eligibility (Applicants with Disabilities) Applicants who are eligible to be considered under Schedule A must submit appropriate documentation to verify eligibility. Documentation must be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be on a medical professional's letterhead. Veterans' preference takes precedence in these appointments.

The Schedule A and military spouse hiring authorities do not guarantee employment or give an individual preference in the hiring process.

Do not submit documentation that is not requested of you. To protect your personal information, we will only send your resume and cover letter to the selecting official(s).

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