Physical Scientist

**Duties**:
**As a Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties**:

- Provide expertise in the algorithm lifecycle process, including both the transition of scientific software from research to operations and the maintenance of the algorithm until retirement.
- Serve as a project manager who establishes and implements strategy, objectives, and performance measures for assigned projects, prioritizes work, and determines funding needs and allocation for projects from NOAA and non-NOAA satellite missions.
- Provide expert advice and assistance to scientists, software developers, engineers and officials on a wide range of matters in the field of transition to operations.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external users in the evaluation of experimental and operational satellite products as the algorithm moves through the lifecycle process.

**Note**:These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-4; The ZP-3 is developmental leading to such performance.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:
**This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel Systems (CAPS). This system replace the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band.**

The ZP-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12 - Salary $82,764 - $128,956
The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14 - Salary $117,962 - $181,216
- A one-year probationary period is required.
- Payment of relocation incentive is authorized.
- Payment of recruitment incentive is authorized.
- **This position is not in the bargaining unit.**

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**Key Requirements**:

- Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
- More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
- Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (ww.sss.gov)

**Qualifications**:

- **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.
- **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 ZP-3 (GS-11) grade 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-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

- Assists in the evaluation of operational satellite/remote sensing products; and
- Assist in the delivery of geophysical information for ocean, atmosphere, and land.

**OR**

**SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION**:3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
- **OR**

**COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**: A combination of education and experience as described above.
- **Note**: Only graduate education in excess of two years is qualifying for combination
- **To qualify at the ZP-4 (GS-13) grade 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 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

- Manages the design, development, testing and implementation of operational data workflow.
- Develops algorithm life cycle processes, to include both transition of scientific software from research to operations and the maintenance of the algorithm until retirement; and
- Authors reports to varying audiences on the state of managed portfolios.

**Education**:
**Note**:Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college