Supervisory Research Fish Biologist

About the role

This specific position will be filled in Woods Hole, MA or Orono, ME and the initial certificate of eligibles will be issued for these locations. Additional duty locations are listed for future vacancies and/or vacancies that may be filled throughout the Department of Commerce. Please select locations for which you want to be considered.

What you'll do

As a Supervisory Research Fish Biologist, you will perform the following duties: Manage, design, and execute research projects and analyses for living marine resources in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Conduct independent research investigations and activities on the impact of environmental factors and specific human activities on fish populations, fisheries, and ecosystems. Serve as a senior subject matter expert on fisheries statistics and stock assessments processes. Evaluate and analyze fishery and survey statistical data collection activities including but not limited to multivariate analyses, computer simulations, and artificial intelligence. Advise and support junior scientists and graduate students in conducting stock assessments, biological modeling, and related research projects. Articulate and direct assignments, projects, actionable events, milestones, deadlines, and timeframes for completion. Provide national and international coordination for research support activities for the conservation and management of the Nation's living marine resources. POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. Incumbent will utilize federal motor vehicles for travel to meetings, conferences, etc.

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/ To qualify for the 0482 series: EDUCATION: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) 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: Applicants must show that they have a degree with major study in biology, zoology, or biological oceanography that included at least 30 semester hours in biological and aquatic science and 15 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences. This course work must have included: At least 15 semester hours of preparatory training in zoology beyond introductory biology or zoology in such courses as invertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, histology, physiology, embryology, advanced vertebrate zoology, genetics, entomology, and parasitology; and At least 6 semester hours of training applicable to fishery biology in such subjects as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, oceanography, algology, planktonology, marine or fresh water ecology, invertebrate ecology, principles of fishery population dynamics, or related course work in the field of fishery biology; and At least 15 semester hours of training in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, or statistics. 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: 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-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Coordinating or directing a research program or project involving fisheries science or fish stock assessments; Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting marine or freshwater science data; and Overseeing staff in a leadership capacity in areas such as in assigning work, setting priorities, providing feedback on work assignments, providing feedback regarding overall employee performance, etc.

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-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 (www.sss.gov) Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Additional Considerations: A three year probationary period may be required. Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized. A one year supervisory probationary period may be required (probationary period can be served concurrently). 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 three 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 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.

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