Research Ecologist at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

About the role

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Protected Species Division. This position is also announced under vacancy number NMFS-26-13041148-ST, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both. This specific position will be filled in Honolulu, HI and the initial certificate of eligibles will be issued for that location. 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. As a Research Ecologist, you will perform the following duties: Lead Hawaiian monk seal assessment research for the Marine Mammal Assessment Program at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). Lead the design and implementation of assessment studies and undertake statistical analyses to characterize abundance and demography, describe population dynamics, assess natural and anthropogenic impacts, and evaluate recovery strategies. Lead project teams, delegate work, and identify scientific priorities. Conduct mark-recapture and other statistical analyses for stock assessment models relevant to the biology, ecology, and status of marine mammal populations, particularly Hawaiian monk seals. Apply ingenuity and originality to the adaptation of existing experimental techniques or lead the development of novel methods for the statistical analysis of data for stock assessments and other supporting analyses for protected species and fisheries management in the Pacific Islands Region. Serve as a principal scientific advisor on biological and ecosystem science work and assist personnel participating in studies aboard research cruises and other field efforts. Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports and give presentations on these findings at research progress reviews, council meetings and working groups, public outreach events, and scientific conferences. Mentor and lead junior scientists in performing analyses and related research activities. Develop collaborative relationships with stakeholders, interacting and serving with various panels, committees, and technical working groups, including various Federal, state, international, and professional organizations. 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. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle in completion of assigned tasks i.e. site visits, field research, etc. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position has physical requirements. Must be able to bend, stoop and lift up to 40lbs unassisted and satisfy all requirements to go in the field, including to sea. 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. The Full Performance level is the ZP-4. 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 0408 series: EDUCATION: A. Degree: Biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. -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 conducting research with living marine resources and their habitats (e.g., stock assessments, population dynamics, or ecosystem-based management); and Contributing to scientific written reports and presentations. 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. 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: Designing ecological or populations assessments and supporting analyses for living marine resources; Conducting statistical analyses, designing, coding, documenting, running, and summarizing output from a variety of models; and Preparing research results for publications and presentations. 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 closing date of the announcement. Additional Considerations: Three 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. This position requires Moderate Security Clearance. 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. *Note: A three year probationary period will be required unless you are a current Department of Commerce (including NOAA) employee and are in the same line of work 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 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 then 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. 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.