Physical Scientist
What you'd do
This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Coast Survey (OCS), Center of Excellence, with 1 vacancy in Silver Spring, MD or Durham, NH.
Major duties
As a Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties: Test and evaluate new technologies for use in hydrographic surveying, such as sonars, positioning systems, uncrewed systems (UxS), and data acquisition and processing systems. Conduct field testing and implement new technologies aboard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) vessels. Analyze and report on the results of testing. Ensure continuous and efficient operation of ocean mapping systems aboard NOAA platforms by providing timely support of operational hydrographic equipment and systems, in-house and third-party software, the integrations of these systems and software, and best practices for its use. Conduct training on new systems, technologies, and procedures undergoing transition to operational use and existing operational systems, technologies, and procedures. Develop and implement plans for the operational transition of new systems and technologies. Support the development of documentation for new systems and technologies, including requirements and specifications, test plans and reports, and standard operating procedures. POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. This position has physical requirements. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Position requires driving a government vehicle for field work, movement of equipment and/or supplies between buildings, acquisition of supplies, or meetings at other locations. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle. All persons embarked on a NOAA ship must be able to perform normal work functions and possibly personal emergency response functions while the ship is underway. Provide in-situ support by spending up to 40 days per year away from permanent duty station. Must be capable of working up to 12 variable hours per day while deployed to field units for up to 40 days including weekends. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to work aboard a moving vessel and occasionally lift equipment that weighs up to 50 lbs. During an abandon ship event, personnel will have to don a survival suit and/or descend a rope ladder to a life raft or rescue craft. A person at sea should be able to don a survival suit in one minute while fully clothed without having to remove their shoes. To deploy on a NOAA vessel, personnel must complete a NOAA Form 57-10-01 Health Services Questionnaire and be medically cleared by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. 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.
What you need to qualify
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: Assisting in developing and evaluating hydrographic systems, technologies, and procedures used in ocean mapping systems; and Assisting in testing or transitioning new or existing systems or technologies into an operational environment. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower level may be combined with experience.
Before you apply
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