Physical Scientist

Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public and Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

This position is also announced under vacancy number NOS-26-12980392-ST for the ZP-2, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to each announcement if you want to be considered for that announcement.

This position is also announced under vacancy number NOS-26-12980393-DE for the ZP-2, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to each announcement if you want to be considered for that announcement.

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

• Perform and lead reconnaissance, design, procurement, deployment, and recovery of oceanographic observing systems, including geodetic leveling. Conduct Global Positioning System (GPS) / Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) field observations using various receiver setups.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute oceanographic and atmospheric instrumentation projects. Monitor oceanographic real time observing systems and coordinate assigned tasks. Advise management of progress, and/or issues, conflicts in priorities, and/or unusual situations. Lead a team effort to accomplish the project goals and objectives.
• Serve as liaison to internal teams, external partners, stakeholders, and the public to ensure continuous reliable operations of field deployed instrumentation. Form and maintain partnerships with individuals in other government agencies and industry that can be transformed into interagency alliances. Be a source of information concerning regional waterways navigational, environmental, and political issues. Speak at conferences, meetings and professional societies on behalf of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• Perform analysis and review of oceanographic observing systems performance to interpret and diagnose mechanical and electronic malfunctions. Perform analysis and review of data quality, system design and reliability to determine methods and procedures to improve Standard Operating Procedures. Perform and oversee field surveys, establish and certify survey control, and conduct leveling procedures as required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. Position requires driving a government vehicle. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position has physical requirements. Required to lift up to 75 pounds. Required to perform strenuous outdoor work over the side of piers and wharfs, or from small boats to deploy or recover equipment. Required to climb, stoop, or bend in order to install various equipment including installation of bench marks. Required to walk long distances to run geodetic levels and conduct GPS observations.

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.

Conditions of employment

This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band.

The ZP-3 is equivalent to the 11/12. The ZP-3 is the Full Performance Level of the position.

Key Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
• Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Additional Considerations:

• One year probationary period may be required.*
• Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized.
• This position requires a Low Risk Security Clearance.
• Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicant's successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

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 (including NOAA) employee; and are in the same line of work; have previously completed a probationary period; and with no more than a 30 day break in service.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, for those required to serve a 1-year probationary period, we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• Needs and interests of the agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of then Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive 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. 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-3 or GS-11 level:
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:

• Participating in marine construction activities or designing or maintaining coastal structures;
• Contributing to the design, installation, or maintenance of oceanographic instrumentation systems or observing systems; and
• Participating in field activities to include Geodetic surveying, via GPS, GNSS, or digital leveling.

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 professional experience. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. (Note: Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

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 and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Additionally, you will be evaluated using a Job Knowledge Test. The Job Knowledge Test is designed to assess technical and professional expertise directly relevant to the requirements of this announcement. This assessment measures the specialized knowledge and skills accumulated over time, which are critical for successful performance in this position. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

Veteran's Preference does not apply to direct hire recruitment procedures.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12980394

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments):

1. Resume:

• Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Reference the USAJobs Help Center for additional recommendations and instructions.
• You are encouraged to make your resume and profile searchable https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account/profile/searchable.
• You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume.
• If you use your own resume or curriculum vitae, for each work experience at a minimum, your resume should include; job title(s) (including job series and grade, if Federal); description of duties or work performed; starting and ending dates (month and year).
• Part-Time work must be clearly identified and include the number of hours per week; if not identified, then work will be assumed to be Full-Time. (NOTE: A full-time work schedule requires most employees to work 33-40 hours during the work week. A part-time schedule requires an employee to work less than full-time, typically 16-32 hours per week.)

2.) Unofficial Transcripts: If you are using the substitution of education to meet qualifications, you must submit an unofficial transcript.

• 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. 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.

3. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see "Additional Information" section).

Next steps