This position is part of the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Protection (NCEP), Environmental Modeling Center. NCEP delivers science-based environmental predictions. It produces reliable, timely, and accurate analyses, guidance, forecasts and warnings for the protection of lives and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NCEP is comprised of nine distinct centers and is the starting point for nearly all weather forecasts in the United States.
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. To qualify for the 1301 series: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year 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 the following requirements: 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-13 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-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Developing computer-based technologies (e.g., scientific software or infrastructure) for environmental prediction systems (e.g., atmosphere, ocean, or waves); Facilitating the transition of new capabilities from research to operations; and Developing verification, validation and evaluation products needed for forecast systems, such as atmospheric or marine applications.
As a Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties: Develop, transition, and maintain coupled earth system models and associated computer-based technologies (e.g., scientific software or infrastructure) to improve National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) environmental forecasts and services. Responsible for operational implementation and maintenance of advanced techniques for numerical weather, water, ocean and sea ice, air quality, land surface, and sub-seasonal to seasonal forecasting. Coordinate with external partners and present coupled numerical model research and development activities. Oversee the consistency of transition of techniques and research to operations (R2O) of coupled earth system models for numerical forecast guidance products.