Supervisory Physical Scientist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), Office of Observations (OBS), Surface and Upper Air Division (SUAD), Services Branch with 1 vacancy in Silver Spring, MD.

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://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience in order to be found minimally qualified.

Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements: 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.

-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 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 GS-15 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 GS-14 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Planning or leading projects or teams, such as assigning work, setting priorities, and providing feedback on work assignments; Developing or implementing operating processes, policies or procedures for atmospheric science programs or projects; and Developing short or long term plans related to program administration, resource allocation of funds or program functionality.

Major Duties:

As a Supervisory Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties: Serve as Branch Chief to the Services Branch (SB) within the Surface and Upper Air Division (SUAD).

Provide broad supervision and leadership to seasoned professionals who are responsible for engineering, hardware and software sustainment, and configuration management for surface and upper air observation systems.

Is responsible for the technical and administrative management of all personnel and resources.

Administrative functions of personnel management include: leave administration, complaint and conflict resolution, employee discipline, development of position descriptions, job performance standards, and recommending awards or bonuses and change in personnel classification for non-supervisory personnel and counseling to employees.

Review project and program procedures and policies, with respect to managerial requirements, quality control and process improvements.

Plan and define short and long term goals and objectives that compliment and support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), Office of Observation, and SUAD Missions and Strategic Plans.

Assess operational and administrative risks and develop and direct the development of new or updated internal operating procedures, management controls and instructions.

Provide input to the NWS Annual Operating Plan and the 3-year budget programming cycle. Exercise delegated authority to approve the allocation and distribution of funds in the organization's budget.

Formulate and conduct studies of employee and organizational efficiency and productivity and recommend changes or improvements in research, work methods, and procedures.

Collaborate and develop effective working relationships with leadership and other stakeholders.

Provide advice and guidance to the Director or Deputy Director, and other Branch Chiefs, on special projects, assignments and programs.

Recommend alternative approaches to resolving unique or highly sensitive issues regarding SUAD activities in a timely manner, through reports, analysis, briefings, information papers, etc.