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Lead Meteorologist, GS-1340-14 (MAP)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
College Park, Maryland
Closing date
Dec 2, 2020
Duties

Summary

Monster Government Solutions (MGS) will be performing scheduled maintenance between Saturday, November 14th at 12:01 a.m. ET and Sunday, November 15th at 11:59 p.m. ET. You may not be able to complete the application process during this time.

*Applicants currently occupying a 1340 series position in the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and applying under competitive merit promotion procedures are covered under the "Exception" clause and DO NOT need to submit transcripts.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), Weather Prediction Center (WPC), Forecast Operations Branch with one vacancy in College Park, MD.

The working title for this position is Senior Branch Forecaster. As a Senior Branch Forecaster, you will perform the following duties:
  • Serve as the shift leader responsible for quality and timeliness of all Weather Prediction Center (WPC) forecasts and service products prepared and issued by WPC.
  • Conduct studies and developmental projects designed to capitalize on or incorporate the benefits of new science, technology, and techniques into National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Center operations.
  • Serve as an interpretive expert on operational numerical models and precipitation, winter weather, marine, severe storm, or tropical forecasting.
  • Develop and edit weather, water, and climate products and summaries and present and disseminate technical material to the public, customers, and differing agencies.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - Up to 10% of domestic travel may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.
  • Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • 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 closing date of announcement.


This position requires a Public Trust Security Clearance.

* A one year probationary period may be required.

* Payment of relocation expenses is authorized.

* This position is in the bargaining unit.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: This position requires working rotating shifts and holidays and weekends.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work is generally sedentary, although there is considerable moving about among various desks and equipment. Routine duties require meeting tight deadlines. During periods of threatening weather or rapidly changing weather conditions, the increase in workload requires periods of acute mental alertness and produces considerable mental stress. Adverse weather conditions may require incumbent to work hours longer than the usual shift, adding to mental and physical stress.

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.

Applicants must meet ALL application requirements, to include a complete online resume, by 11:59 p.m. EASTERN TIME (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

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: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:
  • At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:

  • a. Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;*

    b. Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale);

    c. Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and

    d. Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.

    2. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.*

    3.Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.*

    4. At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.

    * There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.

    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-14 level:

    SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
    • Coordinating, preparing, and issuing meteorological warnings and forecasts;
    • Utilizing weather related programs, operational procedures, instructions, and real time forecast guidance products; and
    • Providing forecasts and weather briefings to the public or customers.


    Education

    Substitution of education for specialized experience is not applicable to this vacancy.

    Additional information

    CTAP candidates will be eligible 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 CTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/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.

  • 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.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    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). However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

    The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
    • Knowledge of the theories and principles associated with operational meteorology and hydrology.
    • Knowledge of technology used in forecast operations.
    • Ability to utilize hydrometeorological data and apply the data in a real-time operational environment.
    • Ability to provide weather advice and guidance.

    Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

    To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Other

    Drug test required
    No

    Required Documents

    • Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy - mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
    • SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action: If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
    • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) documentation if applicable (see other information).
    • Education. If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.

    OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:

    Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.

    • Performance Appraisal - Submit the most recent performance appraisal (dated within the last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor. Do not submit a performance plan that does not include this information.
    • Awards - Copies of any award received within the last 3 years.

    Applicants may submit these documents during the application process.

    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.

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