Summary
This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), with one vacancy in Tulsa, OK and one vacancy in Slidell, LA.
This job is open to
- 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.
Clarification from the agency
* All qualified United States Citizens or Nationals; * CTAP/ICTAP eligibles.
Duties
The working title of this position is Hydrologist Forecaster. As a Hydrologist Forecaster, you will perform the following duties:
- Perform daily hydrologic forecast functions including short range forecasting of flow, velocity and stage including during high water and flood events; and long-range forecasting to include spring snowmelt, flood outlooks and river volume.
- Collect, analyze, disseminate, and manage networks of basic water resource data such as information on reservoir and lake storage, ground water levels, and surface ground water quality.
- Develop, modify, and utilize applicable state-of-the-art computer hardware and software components in the preparation of studies of hydrological events and problems.
- Represent hydrologic and water resource programs at public and interagency meetings and help resolve hydrologic related issues.
The duties described are at the full performance level of the GS-12 grade; the duties at the GS-07, GS-09, and
GS-11 are developmental leading to the GS-12 level.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This position requires a Public Trust (Moderate Risk) Security Clearance.* A one year probationary period may be required.
* Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
* This position is in the bargaining unit.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Work is primarily sedentary, but may involve rotating shifts.
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.
Key Requirements:
- Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.
- Must be suitable for Federal Employment.
- Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
- Time-in-grade/band must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
- More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
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 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. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:
EDUCATION:A. Degree: physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience — course work 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 GS-07 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 GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
- Using state-of-the-art hydrologic data to provide assistance with forecast preparation for water hazards.
OR
Education Substitution GS-07:
- One year of graduate-level education in hydrology or a closely related field.
OR
Combination of education and experience: A combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement as demonstrated by a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university with one of the following. NOTE It is your responsibility to ensure your application clearly states how you meet one of the provisions below:
- a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study;
- a GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study;
- class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college;
- Membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.
To qualify at the GS-09 level:
SPECIALZIED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
- Using state-of-the-art hydrologic data to assist in the preparation of warnings or general forecasts for water hazards such as minor flooding.
OR
Education substitution GS-09:
- Master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree in hydrology or a closely related field or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
Combination of education and experience: Note: Only graduate education in excess of one year is creditable.
To qualify at the GS-11 level:
SPECIALZIED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
- Using state-of-the-art hydrologic data to prepare and issue hydrologic forecasts for water hazards such as high water or flood situations; and
- Assisting with the analysis of hydrometeorological data.
OR
Education substitution GS-11:
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in hydrology or a closely related field or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
Combination of education and experience: Note: Only graduate education in excess of two years is creditable.
To qualify at the GS-12 level:
SPECIALZIED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
- Devising and formulating warnings and general forecasts for water hazards such as high water and flood situations;
- Collecting and analyzing networks of basic water resource data; and
- Assisting in the development of hydrologic modeling and analysis procedures.
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
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:
- 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.
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.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
–Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies:
- Computer Skills
- Hydrology
- Partnering
- Remote Sensing
We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of the three pre-defined categories. The categories are “gold”, “silver” and “bronze”. However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the “gold” category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans’ preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job. For more information on Category Rating, please go to Category Rating.
–NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible and/or not qualified.
To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11803255
Required Documents
A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume
At a minimum, your resume mustindicate your citizenship; if you are registered for Selective Service (if you are a male born after 12/31/59); job title(s) (include job series and grade, if federal); duties description; education; starting and ending dates (month and year); and hours worked per week. We recommend using the inbuilt USAJobs Resume Builder to ensure you do not miss any information. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
Veterans’ Preference Eligibles
If you are claiming veterans’ preference you must provide a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation or statement from the Armed Forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions (i.e., Honorable or General Discharge). Note: If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty, submit a copy for each period of service.
–If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans’ preference and that your character of military service is honorable.-
-If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must also submit documentation that supports your claim, e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of the Purple Heart, etc. The overall rating must be identified on your certification letter or separation orders. Documentation must be received by the closing date shown in this vacancy announcement. If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans’ preference.
Additional information on veterans’ preference can be found in the VetGuide.
Transcripts–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.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles–If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes:
- copy of the agency notice;
- your most recent Performance Rating; and
- your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran’s preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.
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.
How to Apply
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov and click on “Application Status.” Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk. For instructions on submitting your application in an alternate format, please contact the Agency Contact listed in this vacancy announcement.
Agency contact information
Haley Ruiz
Phone: 703-832-4368
Email: haley.ruiz@noaa.gov
Address
NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS)
1315 East West Hwy
SSMC4
Silver Spring, MD 20910
US
Next steps
This position is also announced under vacancy number NWS-23-11803256-ST, which is open to status candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Hydrologist, GS-1315-7/9/11/12 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).
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking on “Track Your Online Application.” The four points of notification are:
- Application Received
- Application being assess for qualfication;
- Referred or Not Referred; and
- Selected or Not Selected.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans’ preference, disability, etc.)
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
