As a Research Ecologist, you will perform the following duties:
- Perform the full spectrum of research activities, including development of short and long-term plans, analysis of proposed research, preparation of cost and resources, oversight and control of efforts to support research projects, procurement, development and testing of research studies, implementation planning, and publication in peer-reviewed scientific literature and/or briefing of research results.
- Utilize comprehensive knowledge of conservation biology, marine ecology, natural resources, and environmental sciences to synthesize complex scientific information into a variety of scientific publications and public outreach materials (e.g., Condition Reports, educational materials, input for websites).
- Build partnerships with external organizations to further a sanctuary site’s science needs and priorities, including obtaining research funding and grants and organizing technical meetings. Coordinate with other sanctuaries to expand research efforts, and efficiently utilize and share resources within Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS).
- Provide expert advice and recommendations to novel, complex, and controversial issues. Represent ONMS at national and international meetings, conferences, resource management boards, research advisory panels, etc.
Qualifications
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the US 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 has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package.
To qualify for the 0408 series:
EDUCATION:
A. Degree: biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.
-AND-
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-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 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
- Executing field operations and research activities related to environmental and marine issues, or the diversity of habitats, rare and protected species and related ecological relationships;
- Collaborating and advising with marine and natural resource planners, regulators or marine industry stakeholders to mitigate conservation issues; and
- Developing and disseminating scientific research and technical reports or information (e.g. peer-reviewed journals, publications, articles, education material, scientific reports, etc.) related to marine habitats, living resources, water quality, or economic information.
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.
Application deadline: November 22, 2024
Compensation: $115,793 – $177,885 per year
