Ocean Career: Research Biologist at NOAA

Interdisciplinary Research Biologist Or Research Mathematical Statistician

As an Interdisciplinary Research Biologist OR Research Mathematical Statistician, you will perform the following duties (Official Title will be determined based on the qualifications of the selectee):

• Design, initiate, and execute research projects and quantitative analyses (statistics, modeling, computer programming), in combination with field work, for protected resources in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean with emphasis on population and ecosystem ecology of marine mammals and sea turtles, in support of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act.
• Develop improved mathematical, biological, and statistical models (e.g., Bayesian statistics, multivariate statistics, population dynamics), incorporate biological or environmental covariates in density models, stock assessments and forecasts, and analyze data from surveys and research studies.
• Develop and program models to analyze telemetry data, line-transect, mark-recapture and other data collection methods to prepare and publish abundance estimates, habitat models and ecological studies for protected species.
• Conduct data analysis and interpretation of diverse datasets (e.g., marine mammal and sea turtle sightings, prey distribution, oceanography) to understand abundance, distribution, and environmental drivers of these dynamics.
• Develop specialized reports, peer-reviewed papers and publications based on research products and present assessment methods and findings at scientific conferences, to scientific review panels, and workshops.

NOTE:

These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-4, the ZP-3 is developmental leading to such performance.

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 ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).)
• Qualifications requirements must be met by closing date of announcement.
• Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle in completion of assigned tasks i.e. site visits, field research, etc.

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment or onboarding with the agency.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Interdisciplinary Research Biologist/Research Mathematical Statistician, ZP-0401/1529-3/4 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g. within the same geographic locations, same grade/band and requires the same qualifications and specialized experience as indicated in this vacancy announcement).

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://.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

To qualify at the 0401 series:

A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

or

B. Combination of education and experience:
Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

To qualify at the 1529 series:

A. Degree: that included 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics.

or

B. Combination of education and experience — at least 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, including at least 12 hours in mathematics and 6 hours in statistics, 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…