Research Chemist, ZP-1320-4 (DE/CR)
Company Name:
Department Of Commerce
All qualified United States citizens or Nationals. Permanent Full-Time Competitive: Career/Career-Conditional The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration''s (NOAA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) is where science comes to life. Become part of a team that develops innovative ideas and technologies and collaborate with the many talented and dedicated people who work to solve the mysteries of the deepest oceans to the surface of the sun. Explore the facets and trends of the earth''s environment that will influence the future. Become a part of the team that provides the nation with scientific information to thrive in an ever-changing world.
This position is located in the NOAA, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL), Chemical Sciences Division (CSD) in the David Skaggs Research Center, Department of Commerce Campus in Boulder, CO. The purpose of the ESRL is to observe and understand the Earth system and to develop products through a commitment to research that will advance NOAA''s environmental information and service on global-to-local scales. ERSL employs ever-increasing information technology resources to carry out this mission. The CSD is engaged in atmospheric chemistry research that provides a sound scientific basis for decisions made in industry and government related to climate change understanding, air quality improvement and ozone layer protection.
NOTE: This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). This system replaced the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14 .
This position is also being advertised as a Research Chemist, ZP-1320-4 under announcement number OAR-ESRL-2014-0020 (open to status candidates). You must apply separately under each announcement to be considered for each announcement.
This vacancy may be used to fill other Research Chemist, ZP-1320-04 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g., within the same geographical location, same grade/band requires the same qualifications as indicated in this vacancy announcement).
For research positions, a three-year probationary period may be required.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
A one year probationary/trail period may be required.
Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized. Must be a U.S. citizen. Must be suitable for Federal employment. Must be registered for Selective Service if applicable ( ) Qualification requirements must be met by closing date of announcement. The individual for this position will:
Develop, run, and analyze state-of-the-art atmospheric chemistry models for estimating atmospheric emissions of trace gases and/or aerosols relevant to air quality and climate.
Prepare written and verbal summaries and other visual materials describing scientific research findings from research studies in atmospheric emissions related to air quality and climate that are relevant to policy/decision-maker discussions.
Prepare white papers describing mission objectives and plans for potential future atmospheric chemistry research emissions projects related to air quality and climate.
Analyze, and evaluate atmospheric chemistry data and write key papers based on scientific information from climate and air quality research programs.
Participate in the design, execution, analyses, and communicating in peer-reviewed journals of results from research studies in atmospheric chemistry related to air quality and climate.
Participate in atmospheric chemistry projects involving ESRL-CSD to invesitgate the chemistry and other processes, including emissions, related to air quality and climate.
Participate in and help lead/coordinate within ESRL-CSD the scientific discussions future atmospheric chemistry emissions research directions to help management ensure that strategic research goals of NOAA and ESRL-CSD are met.
Interact with other agencies/academia/others to assemble the needed research expertise and plan/coordinate the science and management of emissions research related to air quality and climate.
This position has a positive education requirement, transcripts must be submitted. CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.
OR Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (ZP-3 or GS-12 or equivalent) 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. For the ZP-4 level: Specialized experience at this level includes:
Performing atmospheric chemistry research related to climate and air quality;
Planning, coordinating, and executing atmospheric chemistry projects involving multiple groups or agencies to quantify trace gas emissions and determine their impact on air quality and climate;
Developing, running, and analyzing state-of-the-art atmospheric chemistry models for quantifying atmospheric trace gas emissions and their impacts on air quality and climate; and
Preparing and delivering presentations and peer-reviewed publications on atmospheric trace gas emissions research relevant to air quality and climate change issues.
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.
Your resume must document specialized experience and support your responses to the vacancy questions.
For more information about the qualifications requirements for this position:
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 three pre-defined categories. These categories are gold, silver, and bronze. However, your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the self-assessment questions, 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 eligibles 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.
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
1. Knowledge of atmospheric chemistry as it relates to emissions of gases and/or aerosols relevant to air quality and climate.
2. Ability to conceive, design, and perform research to gather, and analyze scientific data in the field of atmospheric chemistry as related to emissions of gases and/or aerosols relevant to air quality and climate change.
3. Skill in writing scientific research papers in the field of atmospheric chemistry as related to emissions of gases and/or aerosols associated with air quality and climate change issues and in publishing them in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
4. Ability to design, build, and operate state-of-the-art atmospheric models used to understand the impacts of emissions and atmospheric composition on air quality and climate.
5. Skill in participating in interagency and inter-institutional research projects involving the study of emissions and related atmospheric composition relevant to air quality and climate change research topics.
6. Knowledge of atmospheric chemistry as it relates to emissions of gases and/or aerosols relevant to air quality and climate.
7. Ability to identify and assemble needed scientific expertise and computing infrastructure for large-scale atmospheric chemistry emissions projects related to air quality and climate.
For more information about Category Rating, please go to: Category Rating
To preview questions please click here. Qualification requirements in 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 OPM''s website at: 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 . 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 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 by e-mail at or by phone at . The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
For instructions on submitting your application in another format, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
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.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans'' preference, you must submit a copy of your Member 4 DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.e., statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service). If you are claiming 10-point veterans'' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans'' Preference plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans'' preference #VeteransEmploymentAct1998.
Active Duty Service Members-- You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) 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. 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.
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 at and clicking on Track Your Online Application. The four points of notification are:
1. Application Received or Application Incomplete
2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Not Met;
3. Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
4. 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.). ICTAP 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 ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: /
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
4. 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.hms?orgId=16&jnum;=100347Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Department Of Commerce
All qualified United States citizens or Nationals. Permanent Full-Time Competitive: Career/Career-Conditional The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration''s (NOAA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) is where science comes to life. Become part of a team that develops innovative ideas and technologies and collaborate with the many talented and dedicated people who work to solve the mysteries of the deepest oceans to the surface of the sun. Explore the facets and trends of the earth''s environment that will influence the future. Become a part of the team that provides the nation with scientific information to thrive in an ever-changing world.
This position is located in the NOAA, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL), Chemical Sciences Division (CSD) in the David Skaggs Research Center, Department of Commerce Campus in Boulder, CO. The purpose of the ESRL is to observe and understand the Earth system and to develop products through a commitment to research that will advance NOAA''s environmental information and service on global-to-local scales. ERSL employs ever-increasing information technology resources to carry out this mission. The CSD is engaged in atmospheric chemistry research that provides a sound scientific basis for decisions made in industry and government related to climate change understanding, air quality improvement and ozone layer protection.
NOTE: This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). This system replaced the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14 .
This position is also being advertised as a Research Chemist, ZP-1320-4 under announcement number OAR-ESRL-2014-0020 (open to status candidates). You must apply separately under each announcement to be considered for each announcement.
This vacancy may be used to fill other Research Chemist, ZP-1320-04 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g., within the same geographical location, same grade/band requires the same qualifications as indicated in this vacancy announcement).
For research positions, a three-year probationary period may be required.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
A one year probationary/trail period may be required.
Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized. Must be a U.S. citizen. Must be suitable for Federal employment. Must be registered for Selective Service if applicable ( ) Qualification requirements must be met by closing date of announcement. The individual for this position will:
Develop, run, and analyze state-of-the-art atmospheric chemistry models for estimating atmospheric emissions of trace gases and/or aerosols relevant to air quality and climate.
Prepare written and verbal summaries and other visual materials describing scientific research findings from research studies in atmospheric emissions related to air quality and climate that are relevant to policy/decision-maker discussions.
Prepare white papers describing mission objectives and plans for potential future atmospheric chemistry research emissions projects related to air quality and climate.
Analyze, and evaluate atmospheric chemistry data and write key papers based on scientific information from climate and air quality research programs.
Participate in the design, execution, analyses, and communicating in peer-reviewed journals of results from research studies in atmospheric chemistry related to air quality and climate.
Participate in atmospheric chemistry projects involving ESRL-CSD to invesitgate the chemistry and other processes, including emissions, related to air quality and climate.
Participate in and help lead/coordinate within ESRL-CSD the scientific discussions future atmospheric chemistry emissions research directions to help management ensure that strategic research goals of NOAA and ESRL-CSD are met.
Interact with other agencies/academia/others to assemble the needed research expertise and plan/coordinate the science and management of emissions research related to air quality and climate.
This position has a positive education requirement, transcripts must be submitted. CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.
OR Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (ZP-3 or GS-12 or equivalent) 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. For the ZP-4 level: Specialized experience at this level includes:
Performing atmospheric chemistry research related to climate and air quality;
Planning, coordinating, and executing atmospheric chemistry projects involving multiple groups or agencies to quantify trace gas emissions and determine their impact on air quality and climate;
Developing, running, and analyzing state-of-the-art atmospheric chemistry models for quantifying atmospheric trace gas emissions and their impacts on air quality and climate; and
Preparing and delivering presentations and peer-reviewed publications on atmospheric trace gas emissions research relevant to air quality and climate change issues.
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.
Your resume must document specialized experience and support your responses to the vacancy questions.
For more information about the qualifications requirements for this position:
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 three pre-defined categories. These categories are gold, silver, and bronze. However, your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the self-assessment questions, 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 eligibles 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.
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
1. Knowledge of atmospheric chemistry as it relates to emissions of gases and/or aerosols relevant to air quality and climate.
2. Ability to conceive, design, and perform research to gather, and analyze scientific data in the field of atmospheric chemistry as related to emissions of gases and/or aerosols relevant to air quality and climate change.
3. Skill in writing scientific research papers in the field of atmospheric chemistry as related to emissions of gases and/or aerosols associated with air quality and climate change issues and in publishing them in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
4. Ability to design, build, and operate state-of-the-art atmospheric models used to understand the impacts of emissions and atmospheric composition on air quality and climate.
5. Skill in participating in interagency and inter-institutional research projects involving the study of emissions and related atmospheric composition relevant to air quality and climate change research topics.
6. Knowledge of atmospheric chemistry as it relates to emissions of gases and/or aerosols relevant to air quality and climate.
7. Ability to identify and assemble needed scientific expertise and computing infrastructure for large-scale atmospheric chemistry emissions projects related to air quality and climate.
For more information about Category Rating, please go to: Category Rating
To preview questions please click here. Qualification requirements in 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 OPM''s website at: 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 . 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 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 by e-mail at or by phone at . The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
For instructions on submitting your application in another format, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
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.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans'' preference, you must submit a copy of your Member 4 DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.e., statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service). If you are claiming 10-point veterans'' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans'' Preference plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans'' preference #VeteransEmploymentAct1998.
Active Duty Service Members-- You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) 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. 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.
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 at and clicking on Track Your Online Application. The four points of notification are:
1. Application Received or Application Incomplete
2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Not Met;
3. Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
4. 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.). ICTAP 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 ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: /
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
4. 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.hms?orgId=16&jnum;=100347Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
