applicants
Fish Biologist
at National Marine Fisheries Service in United States
SALARY RANGE:
89,033.00 – 136,771.00 USD /year
OPEN PERIOD:
Monday, March 29, 2010 to Monday, April 26, 2010
SERIES & GRADE:
ZP-0482-4/4
POSITION INFORMATION:
Competitive – PermanentFull-time Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
4
DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy – Silver Spring, MD
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
Public Non-Status Positions (DE):
- Open to all qualified candidates, including Federal employees.
Public Status Positions (MAP):
- Open to current or former Federal employees with Federal competitive employment status obtained through a current or former permanent competitive service appointment with the Federal
government;
- Individuals with eligibility for non-competitive special appointing authority;
- Veterans eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998.
JOB SUMMARY:
NMFS is dedicated to stewardship of our nation’s living marine resources, and the habitat on which they depend, through scientific research, management and enforcement. NMFS provides effective stewardship of these resources to benefit the nation, through domestic and international programs supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, while providing safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the public.
The incumbent for this position will plan, develop and implement a marine acoustics science program which will support and/or conduct research that is needed to strengthen the NOAA Fisheries noise exposure criteria and advance the field of marine animal acoustics.
This application requires the completion of an online assessment and/or the submission of supplemental materials. Please thoroughly review the vacancy announcement and carefully follow all instructions. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials may result in you not being considered for the vacancy.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
* Applications will only be accepted from United States citizens. * Payment of relocation expenses is authorized for this position. * A one year probationary period may be required.Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy – Silver Spring, MD
The incumbent for this position will plan, develop and implement a marine acoustics science program in accordance with NOAA policies, objectives, and legal requirements. This program will support and/or conduct research that is needed to strengthen the NOAA Fisheries noise exposure criteria and advance the field of marine animal acoustics, including research on: marine mammal acoustic communication, the effects of noise on the behavior and hearing of marine animals, non-auditory effects of noise on marine animals, and the effects of large vessel noise and other chronic sound sources on marine life. As part of this program, the incumbent will develop and advance, in coordination with NMFS Science Centers and other relevant NOAA programs, the implementation of active and passive acoustic technologies to detect and characterize marine life, human sound sources, and potential adverse impacts and coordinate research efforts with other U.S. agencies, academic partners and other entities as appropriate.
This person will provide support to NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources for the modification of NOAA Fisheries’ noise exposure criteria and guidelines as needed to remain consistent with the best available science on this topic and to consider species and ecosystem-wide effects of anthropogenic marine noise. The person will also provide acoustic technical expertise to support the issuance of permits and authorizations, the investigation of marine animal strandings, and use of the best available science as the basis for national and international conservation policies.
Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing
date of this announcement.
Basic Requirements: A. Degree: major in biological science that included: At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and At least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.)
OR
B. Combination of education and experience — courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the basic
qualifications requirements, applicants must have at least 1 year of
specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade/pay band
level in the Federal service (equivalent to GS-12 or ZP-3 to qualify
for ZP-4).
Specialized experience is defined as experience that equipped the
applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to
successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience must have provided thorough knowledge of marine mammal biology and/or physiology, hearing and marine mammals, effects of noise on marine animals, with additional skills acquired through professional experience or research. The applicant should possess excellent analytical and communication skills and be able to work closely in a team environment.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
The Workforce Management Office, Client Services Division’s review of applications is a four-step process. First, all candidates are evaluated to determine if they meet the basic eligibility
requirements (i.e., are a U.S. citizen and meet the “Who May Apply” description). Second, if the candidate meets the basic eligibility
requirements, the application is reviewed again to determine if their background and/or education meet the OPM qualification requirements and apply selective factors (if identified). Once candidates are determined to be basically qualified, the third step is to review answers to the experience, awards, education, and training and self-development questions. The responses to the KSA/competency questions are used to evaluate work experiences which could be expected to significantly enhance the candidate’s performance for the position to
be filled. No one is rated ineligible or not qualified solely for failure to state a positive response to an experience, training, or awards question. Candidates are encouraged to provide supplemental information in their experience statement which will be taken into consideration by the selecting official in the selection process. The fourth step is to adjudicate veteran’s preference and identify and rank the best qualified candidates to be referred to the selecting official. Answers to the questions in step three demonstrate the following KSA/competencies: Knowledge and skill in research methodologies, acoustics and marine mammals or other marine life
Knowledge and ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of people and organizations. Knowledge of marine acoustics and conservation and management policies. Knowledge and ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally to a diversity of audiences.
Benefits and Other Info
BENEFITS:
This is a full-time permanent position. Employed
by a Federal Organization, you are eligible for
benefits such
as:
A varied selection of cost-shared health
insurance plans
Life insurance coverage options
Comprehensive retirement benefits
A tax-deferred Thrift Saving Plan (401K)
Annual Leave
Paid Holidays
You may be eligible for flexible work
schedules
Overtime Pay
Compensatory Time
Participate in a Flexible spending account
Transportation Subsidy
Alternative Personnel System:
This position is covered under the Department of Commerce Alternative Personnel System which replaces the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under the system, positions are classified by career path, pay plan, and pay band. Starting salaries may be set anywhere within the pay range of the pay band. Salary increases within pay bands occur through the pay-for-performance system only.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. Applications and faxed documents must be received by 11:59 pm eastern standard time of the closing date of the vacancy.
The Department of Commerce is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Department of Commerce does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
Salaries shown for this vacancy include locality pay. Applicants interested in relocating to a different geographic location should be aware that their salary is subject to change.
The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Barb Schloetter Phone: 206-841-4927 Fax: 000-000-0000 Email: barbara.w.schloetter@noaa.gov Agency Information: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration WFMO/Ecosystems Client Services Div 7600 Sand Point Way N.E. Seattle, WA 98115 Fax: 000-000-0000Viewed: 1528 times