Fish Biologist - Fieldwork and Environmental Compliance Coordinator

About the role

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), with one vacancy in Miami, FL; Panama City, FL; Galveston, TX; Pascagoula, MS; or Beaufort, NC.

What you will do

• Oversee region-wide marine related research science activities on ships in support of Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)'s mission.
• Provide technical guidance on research programs and the requirements of a variety of scientific surveys (including longline, plankton, reef fish, marine mammals, trawls, and acoustic survey research).
• Coordinate annual Seagoing Personnel Training (including sampling techniques, fish disposition, survey mitigation measures, sea turtle handling protocols, and small boat guidelines).
• Serve as the Environmental Compliance Coordinator.
• Ensure fisheries and ecosystem research activities are in compliance with various statues, agreements, and applicable laws within the US Exclusive Economic Zone, high seas, and international waters.
• Coordinate the scheduling, access, and use of research vessels.
• Implement and organize annual prioritization of surveys working with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Platform Coordinator, SEFSC Director, senior staff, and others associated with various scientific projects.
• Collaborate with Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), NMFS Platform Coordinator, and NMFS Fieldwork Coordinators to ensure SEFSC needs are met with new vessel platforms and that the necessary equipment to meet the needs for all SEFSC surveys is incorporated in the design and construction of new fishery research platforms.
• NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-4; the ZP-3 is developmental leading to such performance.
• POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle.
• May require use of government vehicle to travel to remote or regional locations.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position has physical requirements.
• May work aboard deployed vessels: includes unsteady platforms; exposure to weather conditions; able to ascend and descend ladders, etc. 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.

Requirements

• 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 GS-11/12.
• The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14.
• 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 (***) 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.
• Payment of relocation incentives OR recruitment incentives may be authorized.
• Note: Relocation incentives are for current federal employees only.
• 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 the 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.

Education

College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned.

You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume.

You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty. 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.

How you will be evaluated

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: ***

Documents you must provide

• 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 ***
• 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: This position has a positive education requirement and therefore, requires proof of higher education.
• 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.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see "Additional Information" section).

What to expect next

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other equivalent positions throughout the Federal government. The position must be alike (e.g.: within the same geographic locations, equivalent grade/band and requires the same qualifications and specialized experience as indicated in this vacancy announcement). Salary ranges will vary based on the location.

Please visit: OPM Salary Charts for specific salary information related to a specific location. You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.

You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are: Application Received Application assessed for qualification; Referred or Not Referred; and Selected or Not Selected.

By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.

The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, Veterans' Preference, proof of disability, etc.).

Additional information

During the application process you will have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

ICTAP and CTAP Candidates: Eligible for selection priority if it is determined that the applicant is well qualified. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: 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; 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; Copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: 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).

Copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location; Copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

NOAA participates in e-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.