PDF versionJob Summary
This is a Direct Hire Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior tosubmitting your application for consideration. This position is at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division with one vacancy in Seattle, WA.
Major Duties
The position is with the Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) Program, Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering (RACE) Division of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC). The MACE Program is responsible for conducting acoustic-trawl surveys in the Gulf of Alaska and eastern Bering Sea (Midwater Assessment), developing innovative survey tools and methods, undertaking ecosystem process-related studies involving acoustic and/or optical remote sampling tools, and conducting research aimed at mitigating fisheries bycatch and habitat impacts (Conservation Engineering).
As a Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties:
- Identify, conceive, develop, procure, evaluate, and maintain the instrumentation required to conduct research aimed at mitigating fisheries bycatch, bycatch mortality, and/or habitat impacts. Examples of such instrumentation include underwater cameras, sensors, pressure housings, and/or acoustic systems suitable for deployment on fishing gear.
- Contribute ideas aimed at decreasing undesirable impacts caused by fishing and participate in the selection of best methods and appropriate technologies (e.g., computer programming, sensors) to conduct the research.
- Serve as an analyst by collecting data (e.g., camera imagery, acoustic data) at sea and in a laboratory setting, including performing preparations, quality control, calculations and other data analyses and communicating methods and results through presentations and written documents.
- Contribute to research on modification of fishing gear design and use to resolve critical bycatch and habitat questions in Alaska commercial fisheries in collaboration with project leaders, members of different sectors of the fishing industry, and other stakeholders.
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
A. Degree:physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience --education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, 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-3 or GS-11 level:In additionto meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Participating in the design, fabrication, testing, and use of pressure housings and embedded systems to control underwater camera, acoustic, or other sensor systems;
Communicating technical information in written and oral form, including contributions to reports, publications, and presentations. OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION:3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:A combination of education and experience.Note:only graduate-level education in excess of two years is qualifying for combining education and experience.
Pay Range
$67,816.00 - $105,672.00