Environmental Scientist

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Stressor Detection and Impacts Division (SDID), Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasting Branch with two vacancies in Silver Spring, MD; Charleston, SC; or Beaufort, NC.

As an Environmental Scientist, you will perform the following duties:

• Participate in research for the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science's (NCCOS), Stressor Detection and Impacts Division, aimed at assessing and predicting status and changes in the quality of coastal ecosystems, in relation to both human and natural influences. Evaluate biological data to provide the necessary information for effective coastal stewardship, including measuring environmental threats to coastal residents, economies and the environment. Oversee the design, implementation, and validation of ecosystem forecasts for coastal and Great Lakes systems.
• Assist in the planning and deployment of ecosystem forecasts. Develop and implement complex satellite processing and/or ecosystem modeling to conduct routine and event-based ecosystem forecasts. Conduct validation and sensitivity tests to calibrate and/or improve forecasts and models. Provide guidance and instruction to customers and fellow staff. Lead or co-lead new projects to expand forecasting capabilities.
• Directly receive and process remote sensing and environmental data, and provide near real-time ecosystem forecasts for display and dissemination on portals for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts, early warnings and decision support for diverse end users. Develop information into reports and briefs and analyze reports from internal and external partners and stakeholders to determine validity of findings. Review test results and reports to determine whether results are valid, can be integrated into established processes and procedures, or can be developed into new processes or procedures.
• Conduct various communication and outreach efforts, including development of written reports and publications, oral presentations, news releases and websites, in order to communicate scientific information and promote the use of related marine-science products in coastal management decision-making, scientific research, and outreach. Represent the NCCOS and NOAA as an expert member of committees, working groups, and other pertinent initiatives aimed at the management and protection of coastal resources.

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

• Compiling environmental science research findings that can be incorporated in the development of new processes or procedures; and
• Assisting with the development of scientific products used for community outreach, or for distribution of information between an organization and partners.

• Participating in environmental research for coastal management;
• Reviewing or developing recommendations or standard operating procedures (SOPs) for processes or procedures; and
• Developing scientific products used for community outreach or distribution of information between an organization and partners.

• Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation