This position is with the Natural Sounds & Night Skies Division of the National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Directorate. This position provides Service-wide technical guidance and assistance to the Division Chief and the Directorate regarding the measurement of light at night, the effects of artificial light on park resources, options for mitigation of light pollution, and other matters related to the protection of the overall photic environment of park units.

Duties

The major duties of the Physical Scientist (Photometry) position include, but are not limited to, the following: Develops and applies scientific and technical expertise on light pollution, and its impact upon park resources and values, and mitigation techniques. Utilizes knowledge of mathematics, statistics, physics, photometry, and/or remote sensing, to follow established measurement protocols, deploy instruments for monitoring resource conditions, analyze imagery, and report on findings. Utilizes skills in scripting, programming, image analysis, and spatial statistics to develop automated processes in Geographic Information Systems, image processing software, and reduce large databases. In cooperation with staff, tests novel instruments (CCD/CMOS sensors, photo sensors, and other optical tools) and methods for documenting resource conditions. Maintains electronic and optical equipment, performs regular calibration, and is primarily responsible for laboratory space. Presents data and communicates scientific information to achieve large-landscape conservation and foster support from wide audiences. Assists with the delivery and coordination of training, and briefs park management staff. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/27/2023 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. To qualify for the Physical Scientist (Photometry) position, you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement: Basic Requirements 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. ***You must include transcripts.*** -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: Education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. ***You must include your resume with hours worked per week, as well as transcripts.*** **In addition to the basic requirements listed above, one full year of specialized experience must be met.** To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: Must possess at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. Experience at this level must include one of the following: conducting measurements of atmospheric conditions in a field setting; or implementing standard measurement methodologies with calibrated instruments; or experience using photographic instruments like Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) or Charge Coupled Device (CCD) cameras; or demonstrated knowledge or experience with astronomy, light pollution, or outdoor lighting. ***You must include hours per week worked.*** -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Master's (or equivalent graduate degree such as LL.B. or J.D. as specified in qualification standards or individual occupational requirements) in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related competencies necessary to satisfy the minimum qualifications and perform the duties of the position. ***You must include transcripts.*** -OR- Successful completion of at least 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related competencies necessary to satisfy the minimum qualifications and perform the duties of the position. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. ***You must include your resume with hours worked per week, as well as transcripts.*** To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: Must possess at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. Experience at this level must include one of the following: conducting measurements of atmospheric conditions in a field setting; or performing maintenance, calibration, and repairs of field equipment in field and laboratory environments; or designing and implementing standard measurement methodologies with calibrated instruments; or experience using photographic instruments like Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) or Charge Coupled Device (CCD) cameras; or demonstrated knowledge or experience with astronomy, light pollution, or outdoor lighting.***You must include hours per week worked.*** -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related competencies necessary to satisfy the minimum qualification and perform the duties of the position. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of at least 3 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education, in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related competencies necessary to satisfy the minimum qualifications and perform the duties of the position. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts. You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies". Experience listed as full-time will be credited at 40 hours per week. Volunteer Experience: 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.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Stewardship and Science 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240 US
• Name: Washington Office
• Email: [email protected]