Research Biologist

National-Oceanic-; Milford (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NOAA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within NMFS seeks candidates for a shellfish research role in Milford, CT. The position emphasizes larva development, life history stages, and cultivation practices impacting shellfish growth and health.

Qualifications include a degree in biological sciences or related fields, and one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade, with options for education substitution or a combination of education and experience.

Qualifications

• Basic education requirement as outlined in the vacancy: degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Specialized experience required: one year equivalent to the next lower grade level; may be substituted by education or combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan research activities on larva development, life history stages or cultivation practices affecting shellfish growth and health.
• Author or assist with publications of experimental results into technical reports and scientific manuscripts.

Education

Biological sciences degree

Education-experience combination

Job description

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), with one vacancy in Milford, CT.

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/

To qualify for the 0401 series

EDUCATION:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:

A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, 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-3 or GS-11 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:

• Participating in activities on larva development, life history stages or cultivation practices affecting all aspects of shellfish growth and health; and
• Assisting with the publication of experimental results into technical reports, and scientific manuscripts.

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must 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:

• Planning research activities on larva development, life history stages or cultivation practices affecting all aspects of shellfish growth and health; and
• Authoring peer-review scientific publications, technical reports or guidance briefings to present at conferences and national forums.