OceanographerPhysical ScientistGeophysicist

As an Oceanographer/Physical Scientist/Geophysicist you will perform the following duties:

• Serve as Shift Lead at the Tsunami Warning Center as part of a tsunami and earthquake investigation team. Function as the final decision-maker for the scientific analysis alert-levels and dissemination of products during events. Make decisions based on calculations and interpretations derived from available geophysical and oceanographic data. Utilize interactive and automatic tools to locate an earthquake determine magnitude evaluate its tsunami generation potential and run and assess tsunami forecast models.
• Perform operational support related to science and technology transfer and conduct applied research. Evaluate new scientific and technological information and tools to apply to increase the effectiveness of tsunami warnings. Function as a technical liaison with academic or governmental institutions to effect beneficial science and technology transfer. Conduct applied research where theories and conceptual models are tested against data to evaluate their applicability to tsunami warning operations.
• Participate in national and international interactions on tsunami related topics and issues. Interact with participants of the Tsunami Warning Systems on both national and international levels. Communicate with domestic and international agencies and governments. Prepare and present technical and scientific papers for exchanging scientific and operational information.
• Conduct outreach and staff training. Provide briefings at local schools community meetings tsunami training programs and to partners and the public at risk. Take part in staff training activities on operational procedures and software science and technology and maintenance of skills.

• The work is generally sedentary though carrying bulky equipment is occasionally required along with some travel. Rotating shift and standby work are required as the TWCs operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week. During large earthquakes and/or tsunami events the increase in workload and the necessity for rapid dissemination of accurate warnings and updates requires periods of highly focused and intense work that may go on for several hours. Large earthquakes and/or tsunami events also often require the incumbent to work longer hours than is their usual shift. Such intense activity and the concomitant high level of responsibility may cause some physical and mental stress.
• Noise from computer cooling fans as well as from communications equipment in the operations area can be a nuisance. Lower temperatures kept in the operations area for cooling its computers can be uncomfortable and require a sweater or jacket when working there for extended periods. The incumbent may also work several consecutive hours at a computer terminal.

Key Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment as determined by background investigation.
• More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information.
• Must be registered for Selective Service if applicable ()
• Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Additional Considerations:

• One year probationary period may be required.
• Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) may be authorized.
• This position requires Moderate Risk Security Clearance.
• Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicants successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position for those required to serve a 1-year probationary period we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• Needs and interests of the agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of then Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

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 Managements website located at: REQUIREMENTS: This position may be filled with series 1301 (General Physical Science) / 1313 (Geophysics) / 1360 (Oceanography). Each series requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:

To qualify for the 1360 series:
EDUCATION:

A. Degree: major study of at least 24 semester hours in oceanography or a related discipline such as physics meteorology geophysics mathematics chemistry engineering geology or biology plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of oceanography physics geophysics chemistry mathematics meteorology computer science and engineering sciences.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Applicants who qualify on the basis of major study in biology or geology must have had at least 6 semester hours in the major directly concerned with marine science or 6 semester hours in oceanography; applicants who qualify on the basis of other physical sciences or engineering must have had differential and integral calculus and at least 6 semester hours in physics.


To qualify for the 1301 series:
EDUCATION:

A. Degree: Physical science engineering or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics dynamics properties of materials and electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science plus appropriate experience or additional education.


To qualify for the 1313 series:
EDUCATION:

A. Degree: that included at least 30 semester hours in mathematics (including calculus) and the physical sciences (geophysics physics engineering geology astronomy meteorology electronics etc.).

OR

B. Combination of education and experience -- courses 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 also 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:

• Analyzing geophysical and oceanographic data for the evaluation of earthquakes or tsunami potential;
• Utilizing tsunami forecast models to determine tsunami impacts and issue warnings; and
• Conducting public outreach or coordinating with partners to improve warning operations.