Cartographer

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

- Research historical information and charting records to resolve discrepancies between existing charted information and new data.
- Use knowledge of map projections and datums, both horizontal and vertical, to process and transform incoming mapping data to a form appropriate for use in nautical charting. Produce electronic navigational charts from the database and use validation software and procedures to ensure that the charts conform to the applicable international standards.
- Review the work of other Marine Chart Division cartographers and contractors for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the Nautical Chart Manual and other documentation. Recommend changes to processes, procedures, and software to improve the efficiency of chart production.

Note: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-3; The ZP-2 is developmental leading to such performance.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:
**This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel Systems (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-2 is equivalent to the GS-07/09. The ZP-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12.**

**Key Requirements**:

- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
- More requirements are listed under Qualification and Other Information.

**NOTE**:

- A one-year probationary period may be required.
- Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
- This position is not in the bargaining unit.

**Qualifications**:
**EDUCATION**:
**A. Degree**: cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such coursework includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites).
- OR
- **B. Combination of education and experience**: courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown in A above, 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-2 or GS-07 level:
**SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE**: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the _ZP-1 or GS-05_ in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

- Contributing to the development of nautical charts using mapping data.
- OR
- **SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION**:1 full year of graduate-level education.
- OR
- A grade point average (GPA) of 2.9 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study;
- A GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study;
- Class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college;
- Membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.
- OR
- **COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**:A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience.

To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level:
**SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE**: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the _ZP-2 or GS