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Position Title
Interdisciplinary Biologist/Ecologist/Physical Scientist (Ecosystem Modeler) (Sea Level)
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
SE-1628-EVER-24-12476090-DE Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 to Friday, August 23, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a United States Citizen?

For more information, review Employment of U.S Citizens.
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?   If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center. 
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.  
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the series you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one series. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your responses to the Basic Requirements and Specialized Experience questions, as well as the other questions in the questionnaire, in conjunction with the information provided in your completed application, will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave a question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet one of these basic requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: You must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts, or a complete list of college courses taken that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you do not submit specific course work information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected). YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED. (limit characters)
Basic Requirement (SCREEN OUT) (limit characters)
1. From the description below, select one response that best describes your how your background meets the basic qualification requirements for the Biologist GS-0401 series. Read all responses before making your selection. If you leave this question blank, you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
(limit characters)
2. From the description below, select one response that best describes your how your background meets the basic qualification requirements for the Ecologist GS--0408 series. Read all responses before making your selection. If you leave this question blank, you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
(limit characters)
3. From the responses below, select the one response that best describes how you meet the basic educational qualification requirements for a GS-1301 Read all responses before making your selection. If you leave this question blank, you will be rated ineligible. Submit a copy of your college transcripts as proof.
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Minimum Qualifications Interdisciplinary Biologist, 0401, Ecologist 0408 and Physical Scientist 1301 (Screen out) (limit characters)
4. From the description below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirements for the Interdisciplinary: Biologist/Ecologist/Physical Scientist GS-13 position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
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INSTRUCTIONS: For the questions below, please select from A through E to indicate the skill level that you possess for each task listed. The questions were developed based on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies needed to perform the work of this position. Be sure to describe your experience that supports your answers to the questions below, in your resume or application materials. It is important that your application package submitted, including a resume or application form, clearly shows how you possess the experience and skill levels you claim in this questionnaire. Each of your responses must be clearly supported by your education, training, and/or specific work experience you describe in your application packet submitted for this position (application form or resume, transcripts, list and description of training completed and/or other items you submit). If not, your score will be lowered or you will be found not qualified. The information you provide will be verified. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. A-I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task. B-I have had education or training in performing this task, but I have not yet performed it on the job. C-I have performed this task on the job, with close supervision from supervisor or senior employee. D-I have performed this task as a regular part of a job, independently and usually without supervision from senior employee. E-I am regarded as expert in performing this task, and/or have trained others (or am consulted by others) on how to do this. (limit characters)
Mathematical Reasoning: Solves practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
5. Develop and apply broad areas of mathematical and statistical methods as well as complex modeling techniques to evaluate the impacts of sea level rise on coastal wetland ecosystems while also processing spatio-temporal monitoring data.
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6. Contribute to the development of models to improve fundamental understanding of coastal hydrodynamic and transport processes affected by sea level rise.
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7. Demonstrate expertise in probability theory, probabilistic modeling, and statistics in spatial processes.
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Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
8. Develop model inputs files, perform simulations using the BISECT (Biscayne and Southern Everglades Coastal Transport) model or any other models that integrate hydrodynamic, transport, and ecological processes, and postprocess model outputs in a format suitable for communications.
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9. Skills in conducting technical analysis using one or more of the following scientific computing languages: R, Python, C++ , Matlab, and SQL, and GIS softwares (e.g., QGIS and ArcGIS) and producing outputs efficiently.
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10. Expertise with big data analysis, parallel processing workflows, and cloud computing.
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11. Proficiency in writing scripts to process large-scale spatio-temporal climatic and hydrologic data using scientific computer languages (e.g., R, Python, C, C++, FORTRAN).
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Hydrology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods related to the magnitude, distribution, and quality of water resources including watershed management, climatology, geomorphology, groundwater hydrology, water quality, water resource management, and groundwater/surface water interactions. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
12. Mastery of and skill in modeling the impacts of sea level rise on coastal natural ecosystems, flooding and hydrodynamic processes in the context of natural resources management. Strong background in hydrology and coastal dynamics, or closely related earth/environmental sciences.
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13. Mastery of methods and techniques in sea level rise, ecological and hydrodynamic analysis and procedures as well as expertise sufficient to analyze, interpret and predict complex ecological or hydrodynamic responses in the context of sea level rise. Strong foundation in understanding and modeling hydrodynamic and solute transport processes in natural coastal areas.
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14. Skill/Experience in calibrating a model that integrate hydrodynamic, solute transport, and ecological processes and applying the model to evaluate ecological performance.
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15. Expertise in projecting impacts of sea level rise on ecosystem levels.
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16. Investigate adaptation strategies to sea level rise using detailed regional technology assessments and model-based scenarios and recommend mitigation options to address anticipated risks.
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Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities, and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
17. Demonstrate a high level of creativity and competence in defining problems related to sea level rise, designing suitable approaches to analysis, communicating potential projects to other organizations, analyzing data using rigorous scientific methods, documenting the research results, and administering a wide variety of complex project works.
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18. Participate in all assigned aspects of large-scale restoration projects implementing the Resist Accept and Direct (RAD) framework and providing technical recommendations as appropriate. Provide leadership in the selection and implementation of project features necessary to support ecological resilience.
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19. Develop and implement scientific and technical approaches to meet complex resource management objectives with respect to restoration and sea level rise on varying timescales.
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Ecology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the interrelationships among organisms and their environment, including competition and predation, evolution and natural selection, population dynamics, and the impact of natural phenomena or human actions on natural systems, processes, and biota. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
20. In depth knowledge of applied science that overlaps hydrology, hydrodynamics, ecology and sea level rise. Work on the increase of adaptive capacity to impacts of sea level rise while at the same time increasing carbon sequestration in the landscape and minimizing loss of biodiversity.
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21. Develop applied research projects related to impacts of sea level rise on natural ecosystems, including identifying needs and engaging in the development of agreements or contracts to meet those needs including selecting partners and managing performance.
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22. Conduct sea level rise applied research that uses a diverse set of methods, tools, and approaches, including combinations of field-based studies, remote sensing, laboratory experiments, and/or modeling. Investgate potential ecological impacts of sea level rise on a large ecosystem.
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Communications and Media: Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
23. Serves as the senior expert in the field of sea level rise modeling, responsible for the preparation of technical reports, management reports, and factsheets to disseminate the results of projects and to assess the impacts of sea level rise and the benefits of restoration projects on the natural ecosystem.
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24. Arrange routine briefings with Management Team to keep the team informed of scientific activities, progress, impacts of restoration projects, findings and analysis. The briefings will need to also target policy makers and senior leaders audience.
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25. Participate on interdisciplinary technical teams that address significant and complex sea level rise related ecological and hydrological resource management problems and the planning, development, or evaluation of projects or management features to enhance resiliency and to restore natural ecosystems.
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