Biologist (Endangered Species), ZP-0401-4 (Direct Hire) Details

Biologist (Endangered Species), ZP-0401-4 (Direct Hire)

US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Silver Spring, MD

Employment Type : Full-Time

DutiesSummary

This position is located within the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, with one vacancy in Silver Spring, MD.

As a Biologist (Endangered Species), you will perform the following duties:

• Serve as a subject matter expert in the completion of tasks related to Endangered Species Act section 7 consultations, providing technical guidance and instruction to other staff.
• Research and analyze scientific information to evaluate the effects and impacts of various activities on threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat conducting independent review of information.
• Establish rapport with customers and stakeholders in order to build on relationships and build collaborative relationships to better provide services that meet both the customer’s needs and the need for ESA compliance.
• Write concise documents, briefs, biological opinions, and technical correspondence that clearly communicate the analysis done under Section 7 of the ESA and present this information in the promotion of understanding and cooperation.

Occasional travel - Up to 10% of domestic travel may be required.

No

4 - This position is not eligible for a promotion potential.

• Job family (Series)

  0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.
  • Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • Must be suitable for Federal employment.
  • Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
  • Qualifications requirements must be met by closing date of announcement.

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

  The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14.
  
  The full performance level of the position is ZP-4 or GS-13/14.
  
  Category Rating, Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to this Public Notice.
  
  
  • A one year probationary period may be required.
  
  
  • Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
  
  
  • This position is not in the bargaining unit.
  • This is a low risk position.
  
  NOTE:
  
  
  • This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Biologist (Endangered Species), ZP-0401-4 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g. within the same geographic locations, same grade/band and requires the same qualifications and specialized experience as indicated in this vacancy announcement).

  Applicants must meet ALL application requirements, to include a complete online resume, by 11:59 p.m. EASTERN TIME (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

  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.
  
  EDUCATION: This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:

  A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

  OR

  B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, 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-4 or GS-13 level:
  
  In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Supporting a protected or endangered species program by conducting consultations, assessments and analysis;
  • Preparing documents related to the conservation and protection of animals or the Endangered Species Act; and
  • Implementing recovery plans for the endangered listed species.
  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.

  Additional information

  CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have met the minimum qualifications for the position. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition
  
  CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  • A 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).
  • A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, noting current position, grade level, and duty location?
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating? and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

  ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  • A 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;
  • A 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;
  • A 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. E-Verify is 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.

  
  
  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, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
  
  Veteran’s Preference does not apply to direct hire recruitment procedures.
  
  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 year probationary period will be required under the Direct Hire Authority unless you are a current Department of Commerce employee and are in the same line of work and with no more than a 30 day break in service.
  To preview questions please click here.
  

  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Other

  Drug test required

  No

• Required Documents

  Required Documents
  • Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy – mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see other information).
  • College Transcript (if applicable) 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.
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  NOAA offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the benefits offered to most Federal employees at Benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• The public

  U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

All qualified United States Citizens or Nationals; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles.