Job Information
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Geodesist in United States
Summary This position is located within the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Geodetic Survey (NGS) with one vacancy located in Silver Spring, MD; Chesapeake, VA; or Boulder, CO. This position is also announced under vacancy number NOS-25-12624966-DE, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both. Responsibilities As a Geodesist, you will perform the following duties: - Within the Data Analysis Branch (DAB) of the Observation and Analysis Division (OAD), work with a matrixed project team of geodesists and software developers to develop and expand the capabilities of the Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) web application to ingest geodetic observation data files, such as from static or real-time Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), active GNSS networks, leveling, distance, angle, time or velocity measurements to improve the determination of horizontal and vertical positions of surveyed points on the earth. Use modern coding and scripting languages to develop tools in support of geodetic (preferably GNSS) positioning based upon geodesy principles and best surveying practices. - Support the evaluation and vetting of user-submitted geodetic surveying projects and their incorporation into the NGS Database as a means of incorporating new measurements to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). Use least squares theory to adjust observation networks for optimal positioning results. Engage with submitters if needed to ensure that properly performed survey projects can be successfully incorporated into the database. Provide technical expertise and authoritative advice to constituents in the use of NGS geodetic products and services and resolve technical issues related to geodetic services. - Maintain awareness of current developments in geodetic science technology, updates and improvements to geodetic reference systems, and application to geospatial activities. Present scientific results and conduct training sessions at national and international scientific and professional conferences. Requirements Conditions of Employment This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel Systems (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-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12. Key Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. More requirements are listed under Qualification and Other Information. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov). Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record. NOTE: A one-year probationary period may be required. Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized. This position is not in the bargaining unit. A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. 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. If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. The incumbent will be required to drive a government vehicle to perform outreach and conduct training events for constituents, so a motor vehicle license is required. Field work will not be required, but being physically capable of joining a field survey is required. 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. 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 1372 series: EDUCATION: A. Degree: geodesy; or 30 semester hours in any combination of geodesy, mathematics, physics, astronomy, engineering science, surveying, geodetic surveying, photogrammetry, or geophysics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus. OR B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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 one of 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: - Working with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology; - Writing, maintaining, or evaluating scientific or engineering computer programming code or in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to support data analysis; and - Analyzing GNSS, leveling, or other data using statistical methods such as least squares adjustment techniques. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and professional experience. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. (Note: Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.) Education 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 College Transcript: 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. --If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Please ensure that all documentation is legible. Additional Information CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about 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: 1. 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). 2. A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location; 3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and 4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: 1. 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; 2. 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; 3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and 4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. Non-Competitive Reinstatement to a Higher Grade/Band than Previously Held MUST submit the following documents: 1. SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action: you must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series, and highest grade level held on a permanent basis for your previous position. (do not submit an Award SF-50) AND, the SF-50 that verifies your separation date; AND. 2. Performance Appraisal - most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan that does not include this information. 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. The Department of the Commerce (DOC) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.