Fish Biologist - Fieldwork and Environmental Compliance Coordinator

Summary This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), with one vacancy in Miami, FL; Panama City, FL; Galveston, TX; Pascagoula, MS; or Beaufort, NC. Duties As a Fish Biologist- Fieldwork and Environmental Compliance Coordinator, you will perform the following duties: Oversee region-wide marine related research science activities on ships in support of Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC)'s mission. Provide technical guidance on research programs and the requirements of a variety of scientific surveys (including longline, plankton, reef fish, marine mammals, trawls, and acoustic survey research). Coordinate annual Seagoing Personnel Training (including sampling techniques, fish disposition, survey mitigation measures, sea turtle handling protocols, and small boat guidelines). Serve as the Environmental Compliance Coordinator. Ensure fisheries and ecosystem research activities are in compliance with various statues, agreements, and applicable laws within the US Exclusive Economic Zone, high seas, and international waters. Coordinate the scheduling, access, and use of research vessels. Implement and organize annual prioritization of surveys working with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Platform Coordinator, SEFSC Director, senior staff, and others associated with various scientific projects. Collaborate with Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), NMFS Platform Coordinator, and NMFS Fieldwork Coordinators to ensure SEFSC needs are met with new vessel platforms and that the necessary equipment to meet the needs for all SEFSC surveys is incorporated in the design and construction of new fishery research platforms. 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. May require use of government vehicle to travel to remote or regional locations. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position has physical requirements. May work aboard deployed vessels: includes unsteady platforms; exposure to weather conditions; able to ascend and descend ladders, etc. 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. 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: 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 OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements: To qualify for the 0482 series: EDUCATION: A. Degree: major in biological science that included: At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and At least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.)

Or B.

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, 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 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: Participating in marine research activities onboard a vessel in support of ecosystem research; and Evaluating fishery or ecosystem research activities for compliance with various regulations or policies.

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.) 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: Planning and participating in marine research activities onboard a vessel in support of ecosystem research; Tracking and completing scientific permits or reporting requirements associated with fisheries and ecosystem research; and Providing technical or scientific information to stakeholders related to fisheries and ecosystem research programs. Education College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, 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. Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may b